Mindfulness with Claire
In Salisbury and online.
What can Mindfulness help with?
Mindfulness is a well-researched and evidenced-based intervention for treating anxiety and depression. The evidence tells us that Mindfulness Based Therapy is more effective than CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) for treating depression and as effective as medication for treating anxiety. Mindfulness is helpful for many other challenges including stress management, pain relief, self esteem building and emotional regulation.
Mindfulness is regarded as a safe practice, however there are some conditions where mindfulness is unsuitable due to contraindications. If you have ever had a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, personality disorder, current suicidal thoughts or feelings, epilepsy, or current substance abuse or dependence, unfortunately mindfulness Claire may not be suitable for you. If you have any of these contraindications, or if you are unsure whether mindfulness is right for you, please consult your doctor before starting your mindfulness based therapy. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch. I am a trauma-informed and trained mindfulness teacher, which means I can work safely with PTSD and C-PTSD however, depending on the severity of your symptoms, mindfulness may or may not be the best approach for you. I may recommend a combination of mindfulness and somatic therapy techniques or my Make Peace with Yourself programme instead. If you would like to discuss this, please get in touch for a confidential chat.
What is Mindfulness with Claire?
Mindfulness is an evidence based technique which has been practiced by people around the world for thousands of years for good reason - when learnt and practiced properly, it is a highly effective way to manage many challenges, and to discover a more peaceful and joyful way of life.
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Over 8 weeks, you will learn how to pay attention to body and mind, with curiosity, openness, and acceptance. You’ll learn to observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment, and gently challenge your unhelpful patterns and beliefs. Through mindfulness techniques like meditation, breathing exercises, and cognitive retraining, we’ll help you develop new, helpful and kinder way of relating to yourself. I am a licensed practitioner of the British Psychological Society approved Mindfulness Now programme which combines Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), the two gold standards in mindfulness trainings. As a trauma-informed teacher I adapt the practices to ensure you are comfortable and safe, and working at a pace that feels right.
What are the Benefits of Mindfulness?
Mindfulness has been extensively researched and have helped millions of people all around the world. Here are some of the benefits you can expect when you complete your 8 week mindfulness programme:
✔ Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, by learning to be more mindful and present in the moment, and to respond to your thoughts and feelings with more calmness and clarity.
✔ Help in mood management (for example in recurrent episodes of depression and Pre Menstrual Syndrome), by learning to recognise and disengage from negative thought patterns, and to cultivate a more positive and accepting attitude towards themselves and their emotions
✔ Improve cognitive outcomes, such as attention and memory, by enhancing the connectivity between different brain networks, and facilitating the integration of information from different sources.
✔ Improve physical health and well-being, by stimulating the vagus nerve and the relaxation response, and regulating the nervous system.
✔ Help with pain management by cultivating a non-judgemental attitude towards pain and pain conditions.
What happens in the mindfulness sessions?
Your sessions will last 50 minutes. Each session will be a combination of learning and practice. You will have guided meditations each week and learn other mindfulness practices like mindful eating and mindful movement; all designed to help you pay attention to your moment by moment experience. There will be some education to help you understand what happens in your brain whilst practicing, and other exercises to cultivate the helpful attitudes of kindness, curiosity and acceptance. At the end of each session you will receive the audio recording from your practice and your homework sheets to keep you on track between sessions.
"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf"
- Jon Kabat-Zinn
How many sessions will I need?
A mindfulness programme takes 8 weeks with one session each week. You will need to commit to these 8 sessions and to your daily practice. The research says c.20mins a day, 5 days out of 7 is enough to retrain your brain - you'll get out what you put in to this, so I highly recommend dedicating enough time to your mindfulness practice for these 8 weeks for lasting results.
Where do sessions take place?
Online sessions take place on Zoom. You will need to have a quiet place where you can be undisturbed for the duration of the session, and a chair in which you can comfortably recline and relax.
In-person sessions take place in a cosy therapy room in Salisbury city centre.
Testimonials
"I did 8 weeks of mindfulness with Claire last year and I am still noticing the effects daily. It was a very enjoyable experience, I learned so much and really looked forward to our weekly sessions. Claire has a beautifully calming voice and made me feel relaxed in her hands. I am still continuing with my mindfulness practice and recommend it to anyone! "
Are you ready to start your mindfulness journey?
If you feel ready to start your journey with mindfulness, or want to find out more, please book a free 20 minute consultation. Please ensure you have checked the 'What can mindfulness with Claire help with?' section above to make sure you do not have any contraindications. If you are unsure, please email me. Your consultation is a chance to get to know me, for you to hear more about the sessions and for you to ask any questions. I look forward to meeting you.
Mindfulness Articles from my Mind-Body Blog:
You are the sky. Everything else is just the weather.