Psychologists' experiences of working with Mindfulness-Based Interventions in the context of the Therapeutic Relationship

Abstract

Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) are psycho-educational group and individual therapies designed to reduce psychological issues by integrating mindfulness-based meditation practices with western therapeutic techniques. Substantial research evidences the efficacy of MBIs, however there are significant knowledge gaps about the way that working with MBIs in the context of the Therapeutic Relationship (TR) is experienced by psychologists. This is important for counselling psychology because the TR is the most pivotal predictor of positive therapeutic outcome. This study examined subjective accounts of psychologists’ experiences of working with MBIs to explore the potential contribution of mindfulness to the TR, the quality of the TR when working with MBIs and an exploration of benefits and barriers to working with MBIs in the context of the TR. Seven psychologists working with four interventions: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Utilising Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, three super ordinate themes were identified: (1) Ways of relating, (2) Integration and (3) The process of mindfulness. The results draw together the participants’ phenomenological experiences of working with MBIs portraying the qualities of the TR of bond-connection, genuineness, empathy and care; acceptance of self and client, attunement (awareness and responsiveness) and care to self with internal balance. The findings are discussed in relation to existing theory, literature and practice. The way the psychologists experienced the TR while working with MBIs was dependent upon the environmental setting. Suggestions for future research and implications for clinical applications are presented.