What is the difference between mindfulness and psychotherapy?

With all the buzz about the positive effects of mindfulness, and the normalization of therapy, you might feel a little confused about what direction you want to take when it comes to engaging in a path of self-reflection and care. It can feel confusing when you hear that therapeutic modalities use mindfulness, so is mindfulness a form of therapy? And how do I know what will be most beneficial for me? 

Mindfulness and psychotherapy are two distinct approaches to mental and emotional well-being. Mindfulness is a practice that involves being present in the moment, observing one's thoughts and feelings without judgment, and accepting them as they are. It is often used as a tool to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and to increase feelings of calm, clarity, and focus. However, because we are tuning into our current state of being when practicing mindfulness, we may also feel a heightened awareness of our thoughts and emotions. It is important to have coping and resourcing techniques to support what may come up, especially if you have a history of trauma. 

Psychotherapy, on the other hand, involves working with a trained mental health professional to explore and address underlying issues that may be contributing to emotional distress. It can involve a range of techniques, including talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), IFS (Internal Family Systems), Somatic therapies, and other forms of therapy that are designed to help individuals gain insight into their thoughts and behaviors. It is important to research what kind of therapy will best meet your needs and find a therapist that you feel safe to explore your challenges with. 

While mindfulness and psychotherapy can both be effective tools for improving mental and emotional well-being, they are not interchangeable. Mindfulness can be a useful supplement to psychotherapy, but it is not a substitute for it. Mindfulness is cultivating and practicing a state of being. We can do this informally while engaging in everyday activities like driving, brushing our teeth, or having a conversation. We can do this formally by sitting down to meditate, using different techniques by placing our attention on our breath, our body, or visualizations for example. When practicing mindfulness, you may gain new insights and awareness, however, you may also uncover unresolved feelings that would benefit from engaging with a therapist for further support. 

Whether you choose to start a mindfulness practice, find a therapist, or both! You are making a choice to deepen your relationship with yourself which will ultimately result in greater awareness and connection to yourself and others. It’s worth it!