MINDFULNESS
INTENTIONAL AWARENESS

FOR CHRONIC PAIN, DEPRESSION, STRESS, PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL DISTRESS AND GENERAL WELL-BEING

Mindfulness is the process whereby one intentionally develops awareness. Many people who experience chronic pain or emotional distress have a tendency to lose the belief that they can shift their lives into a more manageable state, and mindfulness can enhance the capacity to acknowledge and tolerate states of anxiety, physical pain, distress, depression and other conditions.

The core of mindfulness is about being fully present, and living within this moment in an alert and aware state, for whatever is happening. A key component is to acknowledge and permit whatever one is feeling or experiencing, but to also move beyond them within one’s own mind in a gentle and kind manner. It encourages greater awareness of one’s physical self as well as one’s mental and emotional processes, and through this facilitates resilience and an ability to deal with the complexities of everyday life, whether they be physical or emotional.

The original adaptation of this Buddhist philosophy into more traditional treatment (known as MBSR - Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) has long been accepted by health insurance companies in the USA as an adjunct to medical interventions. A further development of it has now been recommended by the UK governing body NICE (National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence).

It is important to note that it is not a cure for medical or psychological conditions, but it is a process that can assist in the management of them. It does not interfere with medical decisions, procedures, medication or medical advice. It has proven successful in helping people cope with symptoms of anxiety, depression, chronic pain, substance misuse, stress, hypertension, headaches, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and cancer, amongst others (extensive research data is available through the internet).

Duration: This 8-week programme is non-intrusive, with individuals having complete control over, and responsibility for, their participation and actions, and for their conditions. A specifically written Workbook and original CDs are provided. Participants require a CD player at home.

Session length: Group sessions are 1½ hours per week. Individual sessions are 50 minutes per week.

The programme is run by Dr Cheryl Rezek, a Clinical Psychologist chartered with the British Psychological Society (Reg. 75158). For further information Telephone 0771 2940651 or enquiries@cherylrezek.com