Is Mindfulness safe?

Is mindfulness safe? Generally yes!

The practice of mindfulness has many benefits, but it is not for everyone, because despite what you read on social media and the rise of mindfulness for everything, the fact is that practice presents its own set of challenges. We strongly suggest that you read this page, and then discuss any concerns you may have with Fiona McMahon, your Doctor, and/or your Therapist before practicing, or signing up for a residential 8-week MBSR course. 

The courses we offer are Trauma-Sensitive, so in general, we are often able to support those who otherwise would not able to take a course.

In general, research shows that 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in any format may not be suitable for those with:

• Severe problems or vulnerabilities.
• Active or recent physical addiction to alcohol or drugs. You may be interested in exploring Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention which has been developed specifically for people who are working with the tendencies to misuse substances. 
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: You must discuss this with Fiona McMahon to find out if it is the right time for you to take the course. You also need to understand what the course involves and know that it is always OK (and permit yourself) to drop out of the course if you find it unhelpful.
• Acute depression. 
• Severe social anxiety which would make attending a class or residential retreat very stressful.
• Acute illness (or even acute attack of existing illness) If you are dealing with high levels of stress, and getting used to dealing with a new and different way of being, it is generally not a good time to learn mindfulness-based practices. However, it may be of benefit to help you manage your illness once you have had time to process the diagnosis. 
• Life crisis: Recent severe loss such as bereavement, divorce, cancer, or other major diagnoses. At these times it is our experience that people are in too raw a state of distress to find a course helpful, it is usually not a good time to take a mindfulness-based course. Pre-existing mindfulness practice is very helpful in dealing with strong, raw feelings such as grief, shock, and anger, but these are usually too overwhelming for people to learn how to mindfulness-based practices while dealing with them in the first instances. The recommendation here is that you would be well advised to wait till you have worked through the acute stage of the grieving process and are more settled with the loss or diagnosis.
• Suicidality
• Psychosis
  Psychosis, schizophrenia, etc. mindfulness-based practice is unlikely to help and may cause harm
• Early trauma, past abuse, and dissociative disorders: These are an indication to move into mindfulness-based courses with great care. 

As you can see, there are times in our lives when mindfulness may not be safe for us, and when it would be better to find alternative support, although remember that we are all unique, and just because you tick a box, it does not necessarily mean that mindfulness-based practice would not be a benefit for you.

Please discuss any concerns you have with Fiona McMahon so together we can decide if it is the right time for you to take a mindfulness-based course.

You may also like to read THIS article by leaders in the Mindfulness field Ruth Baer and Willen Kuyken that explains more about the three key dimensions of a safe Mindfulness practice.