Mindfulness as a key construct in modern psychotherapy

Abstract

There is growing evidence for the benefits of mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches to treating and preventing behavioral health problems and improving overall well-being. The emergence of mindfulness as a key construct in modern psychotherapy is a recent phenomenon that will be considered in the contexts of recent cultural changes and social needs and with the aim of exploring two questions “what is mindfulness?” and “why now?” The modern history of mindfulness in clinical practice will be explored through consideration of the dominant mindfulness-based psychotherapies that have significant research support for their effectiveness. These treatments will be discussed in terms of their historical roots, theoretical basis, evidence base, and as exemplars of the integration of mindfulness into contemporary clinical practice.