If you are just getting started with meditation or you are looking to deepen your practice, working with a therapist who is knowledgeable in meditation, cognitive processing, and trauma processing can provide valuable tools and insights for your meditation journey.
Getting started
Being there are many different models and countless amounts of different mindfulness and meditation exercises, it is common to feel a bit overwhelmed. It is also tricky because there is no one-size-fits-all best way to start. A meditation practice is a very personal journey, and one person’s experience can look very different from another person’s experience. Where we need to start will vary greatly depending on many personal factors. A knowledgeable therapist can help you navigate through all the possible paths to find one that works for you.
For example, one client’s first step may be to overcome the false belief that taking time for themselves is a selfish act, whereas another client’s first step may be to overcome the fear of being present and connected to the sensations of their own body due to past trauma. Other clients may be able to jump straight into learning the basic meditation skill (basic breathwork, internal awareness, focus control) they need the most help developing. Underlying mental health conditions also may play a large role in which meditation practices will work best, being those different conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD, would need different approaches.
Deepening your practice
If you are farther along on your meditation journey, you may have started noticing a feeling of resistance to certain practices or started to come face to face with some uncomfortable aspects of yourself. This is a normal part of the process and good information to help lead us to what parts of ourselves still need healing.
We have all experienced a certain amount of social conditioning that may lead to limiting beliefs about ourselves, the world, and possibly even meditation. We may have learned to repress parts of ourselves that did not seem acceptable. Past trauma (emotional, religious, or physical) can also create negative core beliefs that, even if we logically know are untrue, can still be present subconsciously and interfere with the healing journey. Learning the skills to identify and challenge these belief systems can open the door for new perspectives and allow us to repress old behavior patterns that no longer serve us.
This is why therapy can be so helpful. Not only does therapy provide a safe space to explore these difficult experiences, but you are able to learn the skills needed to process your experiences more effectively on your own. Meditation can also be combined with certain psychological exercises to assist in emotional regulation, discover greater personal insights, and create healing experiences. Common examples would include exercises for relaxation, personal resourcing, self-compassion, parts/shadow work, and reparenting.
The journey of coming to know yourself can be intense, but it can also be an adventure that comes with greater freedom, healing, and growth. With the right tools and support, the journey can be a bit easier.
To learn more, visit the Mindfulness and Meditation specialty page or the Request an Appointment page to request a free phone consultation.