Meditation and psychotherapy: a rationale for the integration of dynamic psychotherapy, the relaxation response, and mindfulness meditation

Meditation and psychotherapy can be integrated synergistically. Meditation's psychobiological nature, particularly the relaxation response, and mindfulness meditation as a cognitive technique for developing self-awareness, are examined. The emotional and cognitive changes produced by meditation have therapeutic value, and combining psychotherapy with meditation offers synergistic advantages.

Study at a glance

Abstract

A framework for the integration of meditation and psychotherapy is presented through a consideration of the psychobiological nature of meditation (the relaxation response) and discussion of a traditional meditation practice (mindfulness meditation) as an effective cognitive technique for the development of self-awareness. The mechanisms by which the emotional and cognitive changes of meditation can be of therapeutic value are explored and the synergistic advantages of the combination of psychotherapy and meditation are discussed.