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Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBI) can assist clients dealing with various mental health challenges, such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, psychosis, and elevated stress levels. These practices can be adapted for use in diverse environments, showing their flexibility. This includes healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and workplace settings. Read on to discover how to establish a mindfulness-focused treatment plan, complete with an example.
Creating mindfulness-based treatment plans enables clients to become more conscious of their experiences while fostering curiosity, a lack of judgment, and self-compassion. Mindfulness techniques enhance awareness of emotions, surroundings, thoughts, and bodily sensations in the present moment. These techniques can be structured interventions or informal methods to enhance everyday consciousness.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy are two prominent examples of mindfulness-based programs. Both are systematic programs that involve weekly mindfulness therapy sessions over eight weeks. Comparative studies have indicated that research on mindfulness-based treatments gained ground over research on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) from 2018 to 2020. Current research is investigating the advantages of mindfulness-based interventions for clients facing issues like eating disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorder.
Mindfulness-based interventions can also be integrated into self-help educational groups and collective sessions, often proving to be more cost-effective than one-on-one therapy. Many individuals find mindfulness techniques more accessible and easier to apply than CBT and other methodologies, enabling them to experience the benefits of MBI more quickly and sustainably. Moreover, these interventions are relatively safe to include in sessions, with under 20% of trials reporting any adverse effects from mindfulness-based treatments.
Establishing Goals and Objectives in Your Mindfulness-Based Treatment Plan
Before formulating a mindfulness-based treatment plan, it’s beneficial to review all available information regarding your client. Depending on your clinical environment, this may encompass treatment referrals, previous mental health records, diagnostic evaluations, or a biopsychosocial assessment. This preparation will help you approach your first session with a deeper understanding of your client’s current challenges and symptoms.
If mindfulness-based interventions are regularly part of your therapy sessions, you probably have certain techniques you favor. We recommend considering the Mindfulness-Based Worksheets available from TherapyByPro. Utilizing worksheets during your sessions allows you to discuss something tangible with your client, which they can later refer to while practicing their skills. Popular mindfulness worksheets from TherapyByPro include:
Key Elements in a Mindfulness-Based Treatment Plan + Example
We will refer to the Treatment Plan Template available through TherapyByPro as we outline our mindfulness treatment plan. It’s crucial to take into account your client’s current psychological state, their abilities, and their available support when crafting any treatment plan. This ensures that the goals and objectives are both realistic and suited to their immediate needs. Continue reading to meet our client, John.
John’s case:
John is a 13-year-old boy whose parents have reached out to you, his school counselor, expressing concern over his classroom engagement. His mother mentioned that John claims to enjoy school, but feels uneasy when called upon by his teachers. You decide to have a one-on-one session with John to delve deeper into his experiences.
During your meeting, John conveyed that he enjoys learning but becomes uncomfortable when called upon in class. He described feelings of warmth, sweaty hands, and difficulty articulating his thoughts. John reported that these symptoms do not occur in other situations and expressed a fear of providing incorrect answers and embarrassing himself. He noted that these feelings have been present since the beginning of the school year, which started about two months ago. He does not experience anxiety in social situations and has a wide circle of friends in school. John is also an active member of the school soccer team and relishes playing with his teammates. He has no known history of other mental health issues, trauma, or substance use.
Following your meeting with John, you talk to his teacher, who explains that John’s academic performance is above average and he seems to have solid friendships with peers. She has noticed his difficulty engaging in classroom discussions and is confident in his understanding of the subject matter. His teacher is also aware of mindfulness group sessions designed for students facing mild symptoms, including anxiety, and is questioning if he might be a good candidate.
Collaboration and Coordination of Care
In this section of your treatment plan, you would discuss care coordination. Currently, this may not be applicable; however, if John’s symptoms worsen or other mental health concerns arise, you might consider referring him to a psychologist for diagnostic evaluation or consult his Pediatrician.
Example for John:
Care Coordination: Not applicable at this time
Clinical Diagnoses
While John exhibits signs of anxiety, he does not fulfill the criteria for a clinical diagnosis. To qualify for a Generalized Anxiety diagnosis in children, symptoms need to occur more days than not for a minimum of six months, and anxiety symptoms typically relate to multiple events or situations. In John’s case, his discomfort seems limited to classroom participation. Although his symptoms affect his engagement in class, he maintains above-average grades. If his symptoms persist or worsen beyond six months, you can conduct diagnostic assessments to determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis.
Example for John:
Clinical Diagnosis: None at this time
Current Medications and Responses
According to the collected information, John is not currently taking any medications for medical…
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or mental health issues. If the situation changes, you can make the required modifications at a future date.
Example for John:
Current Medications: Currently none
Presenting Problem and Associated Symptoms
In the presenting problem section of your treatment plan, you should provide a detailed understanding of your client’s situation. The information you document should align with the diagnosis in their treatment plan, as well as the subsequent goals and objectives. Reviewing this section before sessions can also remind you of the symptoms and challenges currently faced.
Example for John:
John is a 13-year-old boy referred by his parents to the school counselor due to issues with limited classroom engagement. His mother mentioned that while John claims to enjoy school, he feels uneasy when called upon by teachers. A teacher also expressed concerns about his participation during class discussions, even though John performs well academically.
In a one-on-one session, John shared that he likes learning but feels anxious when unexpectedly asked to speak in class. He reported experiencing physical signs of anxiety, such as feeling warm, having sweaty hands, and struggling to articulate answers in these moments. John attributes these reactions to the fear of embarrassment or providing the wrong answer. He noted that these feelings began at the start of the school year, about two months ago. He does not report similar symptoms in other environments, including social situations, and states that he has a lot of friends, is socially active, and plays team sports. John also denies any history of trauma, other mental health issues, substance use, or depressive symptoms. His teacher corroborated that he performs above average in academics and seems socially engaged, but has difficulty contributing verbally in class. She suggested that he might benefit from the school’s mindfulness group for students experiencing mild anxiety symptoms, which both he and his parents agreed to participate in.
Goals and Objectives
The goals and objectives will steer your clinical efforts. In this case, John attends a weekly support group for students dealing with mild anxiety in school. This group aims to foster a sense of community, offer validation from peers, and teach various mindfulness techniques that enhance participants’ ability to manage anxiety symptoms.
Goal 1: Enhance Awareness of Anxiety-Related Changes
Objective 1: John will recognize two physical and two mental changes that occur when he is asked to speak in class, which will be explored during sessions.
Objective 2: John will practice a body scan meditation to observe areas of tension or stress, with patterns being discussed in sessions.
Objective 3: John will maintain a journal documenting his anxiety in school, social situations, and elsewhere, noting the duration of these symptoms.
Goal 2: Enhance Management of Physical Symptoms of Anxiety in Class
Objective 1: John will learn two mindfulness breathing exercises to be discreetly used in the classroom.
Objective 2: John will select a specific breathing technique to utilize in anxiety-provoking scenarios.
Objective 3: John will share his experiences with these breathing techniques in the group, detailing both the benefits and challenges he faced.
Goal 3: Foster Awareness of Feelings and Thoughts Related to Classroom Engagement
Objective 1: John will document his thoughts and feelings in a daily journal to identify recurring themes and patterns.
Objective 2: John will pinpoint two or three beliefs or repetitive thoughts about participating in class that fuel his anxiety symptoms.
Objective 3: John will initiate a ‘pause and notice’ mindfulness exercise before responding when called upon in class. The effectiveness of these practices will be evaluated in group sessions.
Specific Interventions to Be Employed
This section of your treatment plan outlines specific intervention strategies that will help achieve your goals. You may choose to update this area as he successfully practices and implements the originally identified techniques.
Example for John:
Intervention 1: Implement and practice body scans
Responsible Person: John and Counselor A
Intervention 2: Use a log to track anxiety symptoms that will be discussed in sessions
Responsible Person: John
Intervention 3: Learn and apply box breathing techniques
Responsible Person: John and Counselor A
Intervention 4: Keep a daily journal of thoughts and feelings
Responsible Person: John
Intervention 5: Practice conducting brief mindfulness check-ins
Responsible Person: John and Counselor A
Involvement of Family
Given his age, it’s crucial to maintain communication with his parents regarding his progress in group therapy and classroom participation. This can include brief discussions to check in on any changes observed at home.
Example for John:
Family Involvement: Regular updates to parents regarding his symptoms and classroom engagement.
Additional Services and Interventions
Currently, it seems unnecessary to introduce extra services. John’s treatment will consist of weekly group sessions focused on learning and practicing mindfulness techniques for managing anxiety in class. Should his symptoms worsen or continue beyond six months, considering individual therapy sessions or a diagnostic evaluation may be appropriate.
Example for John:
Additional Services:None currently.
Estimated Completion Time
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The expected completion timeline for John can be adjusted as necessary. A role of his support group with peers is to affirm his thoughts, emotions, and feelings. He might notice a reduction in symptoms after 12 weeks of group therapy; however, if he requires additional time, you can prolong his treatment according to his needs.
Example for John:
Expected Completion Timeline: 12 weeks of group sessions dedicated to developing mindfulness skills
Plans for Aftercare
Aftercare plans should be outlined as if John chose to discontinue sessions immediately. There are various reasons for early termination. For instance, after a few group sessions, he might feel uncomfortable in that environment, leading him to consider individual therapy.
Example for John:
Aftercare Plans: Discuss with parents alternative mental health resources and community support.
Key Takeaways on Developing a Mindfulness-Based Treatment Plan
We appreciate your attention to this guide on formulating a mindfulness-based treatment plan. Mindfulness interventions are effective strategies that can be integrated into various treatment and alternative settings. These practices can assist individuals facing mental health challenges as well as those simply striving to stay present. With consistent mindfulness practice, clients can achieve deeper self-awareness and experience a reduction in anxiety, worry, tension, and other psychological issues.
If you’re interested in discovering impactful mindfulness-based interventions relevant to your client population, we encourage you to investigate available continuing education and training opportunities. Incorporating mindfulness into your routine may also enhance your own emotional wellness.
TherapyByPro is an online mental health directory connecting mental health professionals with clients seeking help. If you are a mental health provider, consider joining our community and adding your practice listing here. We offer assessments, practice forms, and worksheet templates that can help streamline your practice. Explore our available mental health forms, worksheets, and assessments here.
Explore all mindfulness worksheets
Resources:
- Zhang D, Lee EKP, Mak ECW, Ho CY, Wong SYS. Mindfulness-based interventions: a comprehensive review. Br Med Bull. 2021 Jun 10;138(1):41-57. doi: 10.1093/bmb/ldab005. PMID: 33884400; PMCID: PMC8083197.
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