Mindfulness and CBT
Developing a different relationship with your thoughts and emotions
Many people come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by their thoughts, emotions, or the demands of daily life.
They may find themselves caught in cycles of worry, self-criticism, overthinking, or emotional reactions that seem difficult to switch off. Others describe feeling disconnected from themselves, constantly focused on what has happened in the past or what might happen in the future, rather than feeling present in their lives.
Mindfulness can be a powerful way of helping people develop a different relationship with these experiences.
I believe mindfulness can be life changing when practised in a way that feels meaningful and sustainable. Unfortunately, mindfulness has also developed a bad reputation for some people. Many have been told to simply “be mindful” without receiving the support, guidance, or practical strategies needed to develop a practice that genuinely works for them.
In my work, I aim to make mindfulness approachable, realistic, and tailored to each individual, rather than something that feels forced or overwhelming.
What is Mindfulness
At its core, mindfulness is about learning to pay attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity, and without judgement.
Many people find themselves caught in worries about the future, regrets about the past, or patterns of self-criticism that can leave them feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. Mindfulness helps create space from these patterns so that we can respond more calmly and intentionally rather than reacting automatically.
Mindfulness is not about emptying your mind or forcing yourself to feel calm all the time. Instead, it is about noticing what is happening internally and learning how to relate to those experiences in a more balanced and compassionate way.
Building awareness and self-understanding
In my work, I use mindfulness to help clients develop greater awareness of their thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and behaviours.
This awareness can be especially helpful for managing anxiety, stress, depression, emotional overwhelm, and difficult relationship patterns. It can also help people recognise emotional responses and coping strategies that may have developed earlier in life and continue to influence them today.
For many people, simply becoming more aware of what is happening internally can be the beginning of meaningful change.
Mindfulness and CBT
Mindfulness fits naturally within Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).
CBT helps us identify and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, while mindfulness strengthens our ability to notice those thoughts without immediately believing or reacting to them. Together, they can support lasting emotional and behavioural change.
Many people find that they logically understand why they are struggling but continue to feel stuck in the same emotional patterns. Mindfulness and CBT can help bridge that gap by developing both insight and practical skills for responding differently.
Finding an approach that works for you
There is no single mindfulness practice that works for everyone.
My approach is always tailored to the individual. Together, we explore strategies that fit your circumstances, preferences, and goals, rather than trying to force a particular technique or way of working.
In addition to mindfulness-based approaches, I also use other forms of CBT depending on each client’s individual needs and goals.
My aim is to help people feel more grounded, emotionally aware, and connected to themselves so they can navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity, balance, and self-compassion.