Mindfulness is our human ability to be present and allow for non-judgmental observation of our surroundings. It can create a gentle lens for us to lean into and safety for our mind and body.

My practice of mindfulness started in my own self-healing journey after years of feeling depleted with other efforts. I was hitting many roadblocks in my healing until I grudgingly offered space for mindfulness. At the time, I focused solely on breathing and small meditations, which proved to be a difficult skill. With time, consistency, and a bit of external motivation from others in the community, I quickly realized that mindfulness included so much more and this was the pivotal point for me. This initial cultivation was enough for me to invite fluidity into my rigid inner-dialogue and create space for compassion, nurturance and ease. I invite this into many different parts of my life, including therapy, because of the deep sense of connectivity it offers with others and within my own Self.

This question feels tricky. How do you NOT include mindfulness into your counseling work? I tend to use mindfulness in just about every inch of my work that is possible. A few examples would be: listening mindfully, exploring emotions, non-judgment, encouraging self-compassion, enhancing mind-body connections, and more. I primarily work with folks who identify within the LGBTQIA+ community and mindfulness shows up frequently as we explore how to gently turn inward and notice our body through kindness and non-judgment.