Nurturing Positive Mental Health: Mindfulness for Wellbeing in Counseling

As increasing attention has been given in the past decade to positive psychology, this has likewise been directed toward understanding methods of nurturing positive mental health. These methods have moved toward empowering clients in the development of skills to enhance their own sense of wellbeing (Khong, Counseling and Spirituality, 25, 67–84, 2006). Advances in neurosciences are adding to this understanding, especially through the power of neuroimaging. Mindfulness training and self-compassion are key practices undergoing development for empowering clients in ways to nurture their own positive mental health. Counselors who become familiar with these practices and ways in which they promote positive mental health can gain new understanding and methods for assisting clients and thereby extend their therapeutic effectiveness. Counselors can teach clients practices that can serve to enhance coping capabilities and to reduce suffering.