Mindfulness is more than a meditation technique—it is a way of living with greater presence, compassion, and clarity. Practicing mindfulness trains the mind to return to the present moment, instead of being consumed by worries about the future or regrets about the past.

Like a muscle, mindfulness grows stronger with practice. Even a few minutes a day can create lasting changes in mental and physical health.

The Benefits of Mindfulness

Decades of research show that mindfulness reduces stress, improves emotional regulation, and supports overall well-being. For example, studies have found that regular mindfulness practice can lower blood pressure, improve sleep, reduce anxiety and depression, ease chronic pain, and increase resilience (Keng, Smoski, & Robins, 2011, Clinical Psychology Review).

As Thich Nhat Hanh, a beloved Buddhist teacher, wrote:
"The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it."

When we stop resisting our experiences and instead learn to meet them with awareness and acceptance, we often find less suffering and more peace. In mindfulness, we don’t always change what happens in our lives—but we change how we relate to it.

How We Use Mindfulness in Therapy

At Greenstone Counseling, we integrate mindfulness into therapy as a practical, accessible coping skill. In session, our therapists may guide short mindfulness practices or meditations, helping you:

• Develop healthier responses to stress and strong emotions

• Break cycles of overthinking, worry, or rumination

• Cultivate greater self-compassion and patience

• Increase focus, awareness, and acceptance in daily life

"Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present experience. It isn’t more complicated than that. It is opening to or receiving the present moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is, without clinging to it or rejecting it." – Sylvia Boorstein

We encourage clients to continue mindfulness outside of sessions, turning it into a daily practice that supports long-term healing and growth.

Mindfulness Counseling at Greenstone

Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or everyday stress, mindfulness can be a powerful tool for healing.

At Greenstone Counseling, we offer:

• Individual therapy with mindfulness-based interventions

• In-person sessions in Pocatello and Rexburg

• Secure telehealth counseling across Southeast Idaho

With regular practice, mindfulness can transform the way you experience your thoughts, emotions, and relationships—helping you live more fully in the present moment.

✅ References:

• Keng, S., Smoski, M. J., & Robins, C. J. (2011). Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: A review of empirical studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(6), 1041–1056.

• Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life. Hyperion.

 

If you’d like to learn mindfulness as part of your healing journey, our therapists in Pocatello, Rexburg, and online can help. Contact Greenstone Counseling today to schedule an appointment.