Mindfulness is a popular intervention these days, well-supported by clinical research and brain-scan studies. But many well-meaning clinicians use mindfulness to distract clients from unpleasant thoughts and feelings, inadvertently reinforcing the avoidance cycle, which increases struggle in the long term. This workshop will help you avoid the avoidance trap and translate research findings into powerful tools. Learn proven techniques for using mindfulness to help clients move more directly into transforming their relationship with difficult thoughts, emotions, and body sensations. You’ll discover:

• Specific tools to help clients break free from the circular traps they create by fighting with their own distressing thoughts
• Concrete practices to help clients move into the body sensations that underlie strong emotions, so they can transform them from within
• How to apply a three-minute exercise to help clients quickly move into challenging thoughts, feelings, and sensations to disrupt the avoidance cycle
• Increase therapist resilience and presence with challenging clients to improve your outcomes

Richard Sears, PsyD, ABPP, is a clinical psychologist and director of the Center for Clinical Mindfulness. He’s author of over a dozen books, including Mindfulness: Living through Challenges and Enriching your Life in this Moment.