Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment with openness and acceptance. Instead of worrying about the past or future, it helps you focus on what is happening right now.
What it helps with
How it works
Early on
Your counsellor guides you to slow down and notice your breath, body and thoughts as they are, such as where worry sits in your chest, without judging them.
As you go
Together you try breathing exercises, body scans and guided meditation in session, then pick small ones for home, like a mindful walk or a few slow breaths.
Over time
You talk about what you noticed, adjust the practices to fit your life, and decide together how long to keep going.
Not sure? A free consultation can help you choose.
Where
About
Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment with openness and acceptance. Instead of worrying about the past or future, it helps you focus on what is happening right now. Mindfulness can improve self-awareness, reduce stress, and help you respond to life's challenges in a calmer and healthier way. At No Fear Counselling, we use mindfulness to help clients build emotional balance, strengthen coping skills, and improve their overall mental well-being.
Although mindfulness and meditation have been practiced for centuries, they have only recently become part of modern psychotherapy. Today, research shows that mindfulness can help people manage anxiety, stress, depression, addiction, and many other mental health concerns.
Mindfulness teaches people to pay attention to the present moment without judging their thoughts or feelings. Instead of reacting right away, they learn to observe their inner experiences with curiosity and acceptance.
Many people try to avoid or fix uncomfortable thoughts as soon as they appear. However, this can sometimes make emotional distress feel even stronger.
With regular practice, mindfulness helps people step back from their thoughts instead of becoming overwhelmed by them. As a result, they develop greater emotional awareness, flexibility, and resilience.
Over time, people learn to accept both pleasant and difficult experiences. This allows them to cope with challenges in healthier ways and improve their overall well-being.
Mindfulness is central to the theory and practice of certain therapeutic modalities such as Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) but can also be integrated into almost any theory. Some of the ways mindfulness can be practiced include guided or non-guided meditation, body awareness and mindful body scans, or breathing exercises. The goal of all of these techniques is to bring awareness into the present moment and allow experience to unfold just as it is, without judgement or efforts to change it. Counsellors who use mindfulness: Alishia, Ariel, Avi, Azi, Bettina, Bryan, Celeste, Chen, Corey, Cory, Erik, Ershad, Gurjit, Jennifer, Karyna, Katya, Lima, Magdelena, Ofir, Polly, Shahla, Sophia, Trudy, Vicki
How can mindfulness help us:
How can mindfulness help people with:
It can also help individuals who want to improve emotional balance, increase self-awareness, and develop healthier ways of responding to life's challenges.
At No Fear Counselling, our therapists use Mindfulness to help clients become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. This approach can support people experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, trauma, and life transitions.
Depending on your needs, Mindfulness may be combined with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).
We provide both in-person and online counselling services across Canada.
The practice of mindfulness may help you to manage stress, have stable emotions, and be in good shape.
No Fear Counselling offers you Mindfulness counselling in Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, Langley, Victoria, and Penticton, and Canada-wide counselling with the help of our online counselling service.
Have a free consultation now to understand what benefits Mindfulness may bring you.
Germer, C. K., Siegel, R. D., & Fulton, P. R. (2005). Mindfulness and psychotherapy.
New York: The Guildford Press.
Counselling Therapist
Counselling Therapist
Counselling Therapist
Counselling Therapist
Counselling Therapist
Counselling Therapist
A session usually mixes talking with short guided practices. Your counsellor may lead you through a body scan, where you slowly move your attention from your feet to your head, or a simple breathing exercise, and then you talk about what you noticed. You can keep your eyes open, pause at any time, and share as much or as little as you like.
No, you do not need any experience, and there is no right way to do it. A wandering mind is part of the practice: you notice where your attention went and gently bring it back to your breath or your senses. Your counsellor helps you find small practices that fit your day, such as mindful eating or a few slow breaths before a hard conversation.
Mindfulness focuses on noticing thoughts and feelings without trying to change them, while cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) often looks at a thought and tests other ways to see it. Many people find the two fit well together. Your counsellor may blend mindfulness with CBT, person-centred therapy or somatic therapies, depending on what you need.
Yes, mindfulness practices can be guided by video, and you can meet in person or online from anywhere in BC. Many people find it helpful to practise at home, in the same space where they use the skills day to day. We offer a free 15-minute consultation by phone or video, and our intake team suggests counsellors who fit what you need.
Tell your counsellor, and you can stop or change the practice at any time. Your counsellor works at your pace and helps you feel steady before any deeper work, for example by noticing sounds in the room or your feet on the floor instead of your breath. If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8, call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433), or call 911 if you are in danger.