Mindfulness Based Therapy in Edmonton
Learn About Mindfulness Based Therapy
What is Mindfulness Based Therapy?
Mindfulness-Based Therapy (MBT) is a therapeutic approach that blends traditional talk therapy with mindfulness practices — such as meditation, body awareness, and breathing exercises — to help individuals stay present, manage stress, and develop a healthier relationship with their thoughts and emotions.
Rooted in ancient contemplative traditions and supported by modern neuroscience, mindfulness-based approaches like Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) are proven to help with depression, anxiety, trauma recovery, chronic pain, and overall emotional wellbeing.
At its core, mindfulness involves non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. Mindfulness-Based Therapy teaches clients how to observe their thoughts and feelings without becoming overwhelmed or reactive, creating space for intentional and compassionate responses.
How Does Mindfulness Based Therapy Work?
Mindfulness-Based Therapy integrates structured mindfulness practices with elements of evidence-based psychotherapy (often CBT or ACT) to help individuals understand and shift their internal experiences.
Key components include:
Present-moment awareness: You’ll learn to bring your attention to what’s happening right now — your body, your breath, your environment — rather than ruminating on the past or worrying about the future.
Acceptance and compassion: Instead of fighting uncomfortable emotions, mindfulness helps you observe and accept them with gentleness and curiosity, reducing the tendency to suppress, avoid, or judge yourself.
Decentering from thoughts: Through guided mindfulness exercises, you practice noticing your thoughts as passing events — not facts or instructions — which allows for more freedom and choice in how you respond.
Embodiment and grounding: Mindfulness often includes body scans, gentle movement, and breathwork to reconnect with the body and create calm during emotional or physical distress.
Sessions may include guided meditations, discussion of personal experiences, and techniques you can use in everyday life to reduce stress, build resilience, and increase emotional balance.
What Are the Benefits?
Mindfulness-Based Therapy has been extensively researched and shown to produce long-lasting improvements in emotional and psychological well-being.
Common benefits include:
Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression: Mindfulness quiets the overactive mind and helps you relate to thoughts in a less reactive way.
Improved emotional regulation: You become more able to pause, observe, and respond thoughtfully — instead of reacting impulsively or getting swept up in emotion.
Lower stress and burnout: Mindfulness can calm the nervous system, reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), and help you recover faster from daily overwhelm.
Enhanced focus and clarity: Practicing mindfulness improves attention span and mental clarity, making it easier to stay organized and productive.
Greater self-awareness and self-acceptance: You begin to notice patterns in your emotions, behaviors, and beliefs, while developing compassion toward yourself.
Support for chronic pain and illness: Mindfulness helps people manage physical discomfort by changing how they relate to pain, reducing suffering even when symptoms persist.
What Can I Expect?
Mindfulness-Based Therapy can be offered in individual therapy sessions or structured group formats like MBCT or MBSR. Many people experience noticeable benefits after a few weeks of consistent practice.
During sessions, you can expect:
Guided mindfulness practices: Short meditations, breathing techniques, or body scans led by your therapist to help anchor you in the present moment.
Discussion and reflection: Time to explore what comes up during mindfulness, how it connects to your emotions or stress, and how you can apply these tools in daily life.
Practical tools for home: You’ll receive exercises and techniques to integrate into your daily routine — such as mindful walking, journaling, or short daily meditations.
Therapy is paced based on your comfort level, and there is no need to have prior experience with meditation or mindfulness. Your therapist will gently guide you, whether you’re a beginner or experienced in mindful practices.
Our Approach
At Crossroads Psychological & Wellness, we incorporate mindfulness-based therapy to support clients in cultivating calm, clarity, and self-compassion — whether as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with other therapies like CBT or EMDR.
Our therapists are:
Trauma-informed and gentle: We understand that mindfulness must be approached thoughtfully, especially for individuals with a trauma history or high anxiety.
Integrative: We combine mindfulness with other therapeutic approaches that match your goals and preferences.
Real-world focused: We help you apply mindfulness in everyday situations — whether you’re stuck in traffic, navigating conflict, or struggling to fall asleep.
Inclusive and accessible: We tailor practices to your needs, values, and abilities — no incense or lotus position required.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy is not about escaping your problems — it’s about learning to meet yourself exactly where you are, with awareness, acceptance, and compassion.
