Meditation in Therapy

According to Harvard Health, the systematic method of regulating attention known as meditation is now being incorporated into therapy sessions. In one study, researchers measured brain electrical activity before, immediately after, and four months after a two-month course in mindfulness meditation. They found persistent increased activity on the left side of the prefrontal cortex, which is associated with joyful and serene emotions.

Mindfulness meditation can help us control the activation of our stress responses by becoming more aware of our thoughts and actions and enhance our ability to respond constructively. We’re able to look at events more objectively and with more purpose; we become more aware of the perceptual quality of our innate responses, for instance, when we are looking at a situation with negativity or judgment instead of being curious or practicing present focus and experiencing events in the moment. We are better able to pause and choose a better way to respond incorporating our “wise-mind” into our thoughts, decisions, and actions.

There are many types of meditation. Examples include mindfulness, body scan, guided imagery, loving-kindness, walking, Zen, diaphragmatic breathing and mantra meditations. There is an approach for everyone and your therapist can help you find the type that most benefits you.

Is Meditation Covered by Insurance?

Yes, meditation is one of many tools our therapists offer during sessions. We accept UPMC, Highmark, United and Aetna.

What Mental Illnesses Can Meditation Help With?

Meditation can help with the following mental illnesses and disorders:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Borderline Personality Disorder (used as part of DBT)
• Anger
• PTSD