Mindfulness as a treatment principle in behaviour therapy

Mindfulness as a Treatment Principle in Behaviour Therapy 'Mindfulness' is defined as paying attention in a certain way: on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgementally. Historically, mindfulness practice was developed in Buddhist meditation practice. In the last two decades, mindfulness-based elements were integrated into cognitive-behavioural treatment. In the present article, mindfulness as a therapeutic principle is presented and parallels and differences between cognitive-behavioural treatment approaches and mindfulness are outlined. Several approaches of cognitive behaviour therapy and behaviour medicine that incorporate mindfulness-based elements are discussed. These approaches include 'mindfulness-based stress reduction' according to J. Kabat-Zinn, 'mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression' according to Segal, M. Williams and J. Teasdale, 'dialectical behaviour therapy for borderline personality disorder' according to M. Linehan as well as the use of mindfulness-based elements in the treatment of substance abuse according to A. Marlatt. Empirical work supporting the efficacy of these approaches is reviewed. The article concludes with a discussion of further research implications.