Being Psychology: Exploring the Potential of Being-Centered Approaches to Mental Health
Mental health has become an increasingly important topic in recent years, with a growing recognition of the prevalence and consequences of mental health problems. As such, the search for effective treatments for mental illness has become a priority for both clinicians and researchers. In this article, we explore the potential of ‘being-centered’ approaches to mental health, including both mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies. We argue that these approaches may provide a valuable addition to the existing evidence-based treatments, offering the potential to enhance both the efficacy and the acceptability of mental health care.
The concept of ‘being’ has been a topic of philosophical inquiry for centuries, but it has only recently begun to be explored in the psychological literature. Broadly speaking, being-centered approaches to mental health emphasize the importance of cultivating an attitude of mindful, non-judgmental acceptance of one’s present moment experience. For example, mindfulness-based therapies focus on the process of intentionally paying attention to and accepting one’s thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations in a non-judgmental manner. Similarly, acceptance-based therapies focus on developing an attitude of acceptance and openness towards difficult emotions and thoughts, rather than attempting to control or suppress them.
The use of being-centered approaches in mental health care is a relatively recent development, but a growing body of empirical research has begun to explore the potential benefits of these approaches. A recent systematic review of the literature on mindfulness-based therapies (MBSR) concluded that these approaches show promise in the treatment of a range of mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and stress (Ospina et al., 2008). Similarly, a recent meta-analysis of acceptance-based therapies (ACT) found that these approaches were effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression (Bohlmeijer et al., 2011).
In addition to their potential efficacy, being-centered approaches may also offer several advantages over more traditional evidence-based treatments. In particular, these approaches may be more acceptable to some patients due to their focus on acceptance and non-judgmental attitudes, rather than on the modification of thoughts and emotions. Furthermore, the focus on present-moment awareness may be particularly helpful in addressing the long-term maintenance of mental health, as opposed to simply targeting symptom reduction.
In conclusion, being-centered approaches to mental health have the potential to provide a valuable addition to the existing evidence-based treatment options. These approaches may offer unique advantages in terms of both efficacy and acceptability, and may be particularly helpful in promoting the long-term maintenance of mental health. Further research is needed to fully explore the potential of being-centered approaches, and to identify the best ways to integrate them into existing treatment protocols.
References
Bohlmeijer, E., Prenger, R., Taal, E., & Cuijpers, P. (2011). The effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy on psychological well-being: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 31, 1041–1056. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2011.05.006
Ospina, M. B., Bond, K., Karkhaneh, M., Tjosvold, L., Vandermeer, B., Liang, Y., & Klassen, T. P. (2008). Meditation practices for health: State of the research. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, 155, 1-263. doi:10.7748/nr2008.06.15.1.155.c4577