Teaching self-care to caregivers: Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on the mental health of therapists in training.

TLDR

Therapists are at risk for occupational psychological problems, so self‑care is a potentially useful complement to professional training. The present study examined the effects of Mindfulness‑Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for therapists in training. The study used a prospective, cohort‑controlled design in which trainees participated in an MBSR program and their stress, affect, rumination, anxiety, and self‑compassion were measured. MBSR participation led to significant reductions in stress, negative affect, rumination, state and trait anxiety, and increases in positive affect, self‑compassion, and mindfulness, with mindfulness gains linked to several benefits, underscoring the promise of MBSR for therapist trainee mental health.

Abstract

Preparation for the role of therapist can occur on both professional and personal levels. Research has found that therapists are at risk for occupationally related psychological problems. It follows that self-care may be a useful complement to the professional training of future therapists. The present study examined the effects of one approach to self-care, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), for therapists in training. Using a prospective, cohort-controlled design, the study found participants in the MBSR program reported significant declines in stress, negative affect, rumination, state and trait anxiety, and significant increases in positive affect and self-compassion. Further, MBSR participation was associated with increases in mindfulness, and this enhancement was related to several of the beneficial effects of MBSR participation. Discussion highlights the potential for future research addressing the mental health needs of therapists and therapist trainees.