An experiential and research based workshop on mindfulness meditation; therapeutic applications, evidence base and limitations

Mindfulness meditation (MM) as a healthcare intervention is normally delivered as a ‘treatment’ though a structured course of around six to ten weeks, as part of a battery of therapeutic interventions. The dominant models for MM are Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), both secularised adaptations of Buddhist meditation practices. This secularisation has enabled delivery of mindfulness in health service settings and encouraged the development of a large body of research and theory. Some concerns have been raised, though, about how much has been stripped in an over-assiduous secularisation. The workshop will consist of three parts: (1) An introduction to MM and its clinical applications with children and adolescents specifically. (2) A series of short guided meditations used in clinical interventions to allow attendees to experience these first-hand. (3) A discussion on applications and limitations and opportunities of MM interventions, primarily centring on the feasibility of providing ongoing MM groups emphasising continued wellbeing enhancement, preventative practice (e.g. avoidance of depression relapse) and even personal growth, to extend short-term MM interventions. Some initial proposals for ongoing MM support in partnership with local health and mental health service providers will be made. These groups would act as both an on-going group that individuals who have been part of an 8-week program could attend post-treatment to provide that on-going group context that is lost once the intervention is over. It is recognised that, while rare, there can be personal challenges that can arise within ongoing MM practice, and will discuss how this can be managed, including the possibility of referral back mental health support services where necessary. We would welcome discussion on the feasibility and effectiveness of these suggestions from attendees who may have first-hand experience of using the interventions.