Mindfulness Counselling & Sessions in Exmouth | Jane Hancock       

Mindfulness in Counselling

Mindfulness is the practice of bringing our attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity and without judgement. Rather than becoming caught up in thoughts about the past or worries about the future, mindfulness helps us to notice what is happening here and now — in our thoughts, feelings, body and surroundings.

Mindfulness isn’t about emptying your mind or trying to stop difficult thoughts and feelings. It is about developing a different relationship with them: learning to notice what is happening without immediately becoming overwhelmed or caught up in it. With practice, this can create a little more space between what we experience and how we respond.

Mindfulness can be particularly helpful when we feel stressed, anxious, overwhelmed or caught in patterns of difficult thinking. It can support greater awareness of emotions and physical sensations, help us to pause before reacting, and encourage a greater sense of calm and self-compassion.

Mindfulness within counselling

I can incorporate mindfulness into counselling sessions in Exmouth, Devon, where it feels appropriate and helpful. This might be as simple as taking a few moments to slow down and become aware of your breathing or body, or using mindfulness to explore a particular thought, feeling or situation.

Mindfulness can provide a useful way of developing skills that you can take away from counselling and use in everyday life. It can help you become more aware of what is happening internally and give you greater choice in how you respond to difficult thoughts, feelings and situations.

Learning mindfulness

For those who would like to learn more, I also offer sessions specifically focused on learning and practising mindfulness. These sessions provide an opportunity to explore simple, practical mindfulness techniques that can be incorporated into everyday life, without requiring previous experience of mindfulness or meditation.

A mindfulness session can be particularly useful if you would like to develop a regular mindfulness practice, learn ways of managing stress and overwhelm, or simply discover how being more present can affect your relationship with yourself and the world around you.

My experience

I have undertaken training in Mindfulness with the University of Exeter and Workplace Options Professional Development Institute and have practised mindfulness for many years, both as a formal practice and as a way of relating to the world around me.

I have taught mindfulness to individuals within my counselling practice, to groups of therapists undertaking their Diploma in Counselling, and within organisations including Devon Fire and Rescue Service.

I have also completed the Teachers Course in The Art of Finding Stillness and Calm, Relaxation and Daily Awareness with Ven. Lama Ngedon Drime.

My approach to mindfulness is practical, gentle and grounded in everyday life. You do not need to have any previous experience of mindfulness or meditation to benefit from exploring it.