THERAPY & TREATMENT
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness-based therapy teaches skills for noticing thoughts, emotions, and body sensations without getting pulled into them—supporting stress reduction, emotion regulation, and relapse prevention. At Advanced Health and Education in Eatontown, NJ, mindfulness-based practices are woven into our treatment programs to support lasting recovery.
Mindfulness-based therapy is an approach that uses mindfulness skills—paying attention to the present moment with openness and without judgment—to reduce distress and improve coping. Mindfulness skills are used in several evidence-based programs, including mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT).
Mindfulness isn’t about “clearing your mind” or forcing calm. It’s about learning to notice thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations as they arise—and making choices based on values instead of automatic reactions.
Why mindfulness can help mental health
Many symptoms are maintained by cycles like:
- Rumination (“stuck” in thoughts) → sadness
- Worry → tension → more worry
- Avoidance → short-term relief → long-term anxiety
Mindfulness practices can help interrupt these cycles by increasing awareness, reducing reactivity, and strengthening emotion regulation skills.1
Evidence base
Research supports mindfulness-based programs for stress and emotional symptoms in many people. MBCT, in particular, has evidence for helping prevent depressive relapse in people with recurrent depression.2 MBSR and related mindfulness programs have also been studied for anxiety and depression symptoms.3
At Advanced Health and Education in Eatontown, New Jersey, mindfulness-based therapy supports clients managing anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorders, and substance use disorders. Mindfulness practices are integrated throughout our mental health and dual diagnosis programs, from residential through IOP, helping clients in Monmouth County develop awareness and self-regulation skills that support long-term recovery.
How Mindfulness-Based Therapy Works
Mindfulness-based therapy typically combines:
- Skills practice (breath awareness, body scan, mindful movement, grounding)
- Psychoeducation about stress, the nervous system, and patterns like rumination and avoidance
- Applying mindfulness to real life (relationships, cravings, triggers, painful emotions)
Therapists often teach “decentering”—the ability to notice thoughts as mental events rather than facts. This can reduce the intensity of anxious and depressive spirals.
What to Expect in Mindfulness-Based Therapy
- Practice matters: Many mindfulness-based programs include guided practice between sessions.
- Structured learning: Sessions may include specific exercises and reflection.
- Pacing: If mindfulness brings up intense emotions, therapists can adjust the approach and add grounding skills.
- Integration: Mindfulness skills are often combined with CBT/DBT skills, trauma-informed care, and relapse prevention.
Benefits of Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Benefits vary based on your goals, symptoms, and how the therapy is combined with other supports.
- Reduces stress reactivity
- Improves emotion regulation
- Decreases rumination and worry
- Supports relapse prevention
- Helps with cravings and urges
- Improves self-compassion
Conditions This Therapy May Help With
Mindfulness-based therapy is commonly used for stress, anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, and relapse prevention. It can also support substance use recovery by helping people manage cravings and triggers.
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders go beyond everyday worry. They involve persistent fear or worry that’s out of proportion to the situation and hard to control.
Learn moreDepression
Depression is more than feeling sad—it’s a treatable mental health condition that can affect mood, sleep, energy, and daily functioning.
Learn morePost-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD develops after trauma and can include intrusive memories, avoidance, mood changes, and hypervigilance. At Advanced Health and Education in Eatontown, NJ, trauma-focused therapies like EMDR and CBT are central to our PTSD treatment approach.
Learn moreBipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression and mania or hypomania—high energy, reduced sleep, and impulsive behavior. At Advanced Health and Education in Eatontown, NJ, we provide structured bipolar disorder treatment to help you achieve long-term stability.
Learn moreAdjustment Disorders
Adjustment disorders are stress-related conditions where emotional or behavioral symptoms after a life change feel more intense than expected and interfere with daily life. Advanced Health and Education in Eatontown, NJ provides structured treatment to help you regain stability.
Learn moreSubstance Use Disorders
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are treatable medical conditions involving continued use of alcohol or drugs despite harm. Advanced Health and Education in Eatontown, NJ provides comprehensive addiction treatment from medical detox through outpatient care, including specialized dual diagnosis programming.
Learn moreMindfulness-Based Therapy Research & Evidence
Relapse prevention
MBCT supported for preventing depressive relapse in recurrent depression
JAMA Psychiatry IPD meta-analysis
Stress reduction
Mindfulness meditation can reduce psychological stress for many people
NIH NCCIH
Mindfulness-based interventions have been studied across many mental health outcomes. The NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) summarizes evidence that mindfulness meditation can help with psychological stress and may improve symptoms of anxiety and depression for some people.1
MBCT has strong evidence for preventing depressive relapse in people with recurrent depression, supported by an individual patient data meta-analysis in JAMA Psychiatry.2 Mindfulness-based programs like MBSR have also been studied in randomized trials for anxiety and stress-related outcomes.3
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to meditate for hours?
No. Many programs start with short practices and build gradually. Consistency matters more than long sessions.
What if mindfulness makes my anxiety worse?
That can happen at first, especially if you’ve been avoiding emotions or body sensations. A therapist can pace practices, add grounding skills, and adapt the approach.
Is mindfulness-based therapy religious?
No. Mindfulness-based programs used in clinical care are secular and skills-based.
How is MBCT different from MBSR?
MBSR focuses broadly on stress and wellbeing. MBCT combines mindfulness with cognitive strategies and is often used for depression relapse prevention.
Can mindfulness help with cravings?
Yes. Mindfulness can help you notice cravings as passing sensations and practice “urge surfing” rather than acting on them.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Meditation and Mindfulness: What You Need to Know. Accessed February 10, 2026. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation-and-mindfulness-what-you-need-to-know
- Kuyken W, et al. Efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in prevention of depressive relapse: an individual patient data meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. 2016;73(6):565-574. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.0076
- Hoge EA, et al. Mindfulness-based stress reduction vs escitalopram for the treatment of anxiety disorders: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2022;79(7):641-650. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.1269
Medically Reviewed By
Clinical Director
Kelsey Blakeslee, LCSW, LCADC, is the Clinical Director at Advanced Health and Education, where she provides clinical oversight and leadership for complex mental health and substance use treatment programs. Dually licensed in social work and addiction counseling, she integrates CBT-based, skills-focused, and strengths-based approaches to promote high-quality, ethical care. Kelsey is committed to fostering a collaborative treatment culture centered on clinical excellence and client success.
Last reviewed: February 10, 2026
Is Mindfulness-Based Therapy Right for You? Learn More in Eatontown, NJ
Our team at Advanced Health and Education in Eatontown, NJ can help you understand how mindfulness-based therapy fits into a personalized treatment plan and which level of care makes the most sense. Call (844) 302-8605.
Call: (844) 302-8605 Contact UsOur Treatment Programs
Mindfulness-Based Therapy is available in both of our specialized treatment tracks:
Is Mindfulness-Based Therapy Right for You? Learn More in Eatontown, NJ
Our clinical team can help you understand if this therapy is a good fit for your needs and explain how it integrates into our treatment programs.