Richard’s latest work, The ACT Flip Chart, is now available. It is designed to be used as an aid for therapists and their clients to engage in the work of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, with the pages coated for processing the exercises with a dry erase marker.
Richard’s book Myths of Mindfulness is now available.
“Mindfulness is a powerful tool for self-development, something I have been offering instruction in for 40 years now. But many misleading myths have arisen with its growing popularity. Some of these skewed beliefs have actually created harm. In this book, my good friend Dr. Richard Sears shines a clear light on the subject. He separates the facts from the myths. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the role of mindfulness as it relates to self-realization.” -Stephen K. Hayes, founder of To-Shin Do Ninja Martial Arts, Shugendo Dai-Sendatsu, author of The Complete Ninja Collection
Written for both therapists and the general public, Richard’s new workbook on Anxiety is now available: ACT with Anxiety: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook to Get You Unstuck from Anxiety and Enrich Your Life
“I love this book. It is easy to read and yet never underestimates the reader. It covers the solid core of ACT work, extending over decades, and yet it has a fresh feel with new ways of expressing these ideas. It takes the basic science underneath ACT seriously, and yet it never succumbs to jargon. It is a steady, thorough, practical walk-through of ACT by a person who has devoted many years to mindfulness practice. You can feel the author s balanced presence and authenticity underneath ever line. I highly recommend it.” –Steven C. Hayes, Foundation Professor of Psychology, University of Nevada; Originator and co-developer of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Richard has three new books available: The Sense of Self: Perspectives from Science and Zen Buddhism; The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness Toolbox; and The Resilient Mental Health Practice: Nourishing Your Business, Your Clients, and Yourself. Click on the title or on the book covers below to be taken to an Amazon description and order page.
Mindfulness: Living through Challenges and Enriching Your Life in this Moment
This book shows how the ancient practice of mindfulness can help us live a fuller and more enriching life.
- Presents material through a balance of clinical case work with the author’s personal stories of the Dalai Lama, ninja, and Zen
- Reveals ways that mindfulness can be applied to modern problems based on psychological principles and evidence-based programs
- Shows how to apply mindfulness principles to a variety of problems, including stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and more
- Provides guidelines for readers to conduct their own mindfulness training sessions at home
“Dr. Sears does an excellent job of explaining the concept of mindfulness. Through stories and practical exercises he helps the reader understand how to bring this most valuable practice to our daily lives.” –Sharon Salzberg, Co-Founder of the Insight Meditation Society
Bringing a rich set of personal experiences to bear on nearly every point or bit of guidance, this book is both a personal story and a deep exploration of mindfulness as a concept and method. Mindfulness is more than paying attention: it is paying attention in a particular way. Wise and deeply aware of his impact on the reader, Dr. Sears embraces the challenge of teaching that “particular way” by letting his writing embody it. Reading this book is itself a kind of extended mindfulness exercise. Highly effective; highly recommended. Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., Author of Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life
I have read many books on mindfulness, but Dr. Sears’ instruction, based on the richness of his experience, is particularly clear and engaging. Mindfulness is presented from many perspectives with warmth and understanding that demonstrate its practicality and wisdom. The personal stories were captivating and informative. I learned and was engaged throughout. I highly recommend it. –Elana Rosenbaum, LICSW, author of Here for Now and Being Well (Even When You’re Sick), one of the founding teachers of MBSR.
Dr. Sears combines three vantage points — scientific research of ancient historical methods, candidly personal stories to validate the program he shares, and how-to-do-it practical lessons for at-home learning — to make this one of the most useful and significant books on the value of mindfulness practice I have ever come across. –Stephen K. Hayes, Founder, To-Shin Do Ninja Martial Arts, Black Belt Hall of Fame member, author of The Complete Ninja Collection and How to Own the World
Mindfulness is a powerful tool for healing and growth. While timeless in its application, the medical community has only recently been captivated by the research demonstrating its beneficial effects. We have seen the work of Dr. Sears transform the lives of our patients, and are very pleased to see this type of information now become more widely available. Dr. Sears provides both inspiration and practical suggestions for dealing with serious challenges and for living a more fulfilling life. –Steve Amoils, MD & Sandi Amoils, MD, co-medical directors of the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, co-authors of Get Well & Stay Well – Optimal Health through Transformational Medicine.
Thank you Dr. Sears for a clear, concise, practical guide for weaving mindfulness seamlessly into your everyday life! Mindfulness is a simple concept but complex to describe and apply. Dr. Sears, a knowledgeable expert, guides by example with thoughtful and poignant stories from his personal and professional life in his new book, Mindfulness: Living through challenges and enriching your life in this moment. –Susan Albers, Psy.D., psychologist and author of Eating Mindfully.
This book is a practical guide to developing a better understanding of mindfulness and will be useful for anyone interested in discovering how this practice can help us lead wiser lives. Dr. Sears has written about mindfulness in a way that clearly shows how relevant this practice is for exploring and engaging in the joys and challenges of everyday life. –Susan L. Woods, MSW, LICSW, MBSR/MBCT Professional Educator and Mindfulness Meditation Teacher
Mindfulness: Living through challenges and enriching your life in this moment is a wonderful new book contributing an essential and most needed fresh new context for dealing with life’s challenges, even when things go terribly wrong. It provides the reader with excellent tools and new scientific pathways, with cutting edge neuroscience and mindfulness training. It is a wonderful, enriching guidebook for charting how to build the necessary new muscles for bringing an evenness to one’s mind, self, relationships, and life. –Ronald A. Alexander, Ph.D., author of Wise Mind, Open Mind, Executive Director of the OpenMind Training Institute in Santa Monica, CA.
In a world where mindfulness teachings are now plentiful, Dr. Richard Sears offers a fresh perspective that is sure to interest and enliven you. Dr. Sears integrates a wide range of engaging personal and professional stories, mindfulness practices, and kernels of wisdom that have the potential to transform your practice and leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of yourself and others. –Ryan M. Niemiec, Psy.D., author of Mindfulness and Character Strengths: A Practical Guide to Flourishing; education director of the VIA Institute on Character.
This is a clear, insightful book, showing how mindfulness can help us find our way through difficulties as well as how mindfulness can enrich our lives. Dr. Sears’ experiences make the book personal and readable. –Thomas Bien, Ph.D., author of The Buddha’s Way of Happiness.
MINDFULNESS is a tuning. Sears draws the reader into the focused space of Clear Mind – and illumines the action-path. MINDFULNESS harmonizes one’s own being. – Michael D. Fitzpatrick / world-renowned cellist and longtime musical collaborator with His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
MBCT for PTSD provides solid principles, practical tools, and numerous case examples for integrating mindfulness into PTSD treatment. Based on the authors’ experience in the first randomized controlled clinical trial, this pioneering book expands the range of potential treatment options.
- MBCT has been growing in popularity, and has solid research support, but this is the first text to apply it to trauma survivors
- This pioneering text is based on the authors’ experience in using MBCT for PTSD in the first randomized controlled clinical trial
- Containing numerous case examples, it expands the range of potential treatment options and lends new hope for trauma survivors to lead more fulfilling lives
- The authors combined have a unique set of expert skills; Dr Chard is a well-known expert on PTSD, and Dr Sears is an expert on mindfulness and MBCT
“Sears and Chard have written the kind of book that offers guidance to complement the skills of new and experienced therapists alike. Readers are likely to use it as a valuable resource for helping trauma survivors–the kind of book one goes back to repeatedly.”
–Paula Schnurr, Ph.D., Executive Director of the National Center for PTSD
“Drs. Sears and Chard offer us a much-needed resource on how to effectively and responsibly integrate a time-tested clinical mindfulness approach with traumatized clients. So many of the resources on mindfulness that are currently available–traditional, secular, and clinical–fail to take principles of trauma-informed care into account. These authors have risen to the task of filling a major gap in how we share mindful practices. A lovely, user-friendly resource for clinicians!”
Jamie Marich, Ph.D., LPCC-S, LICDC-CS, RMT, author of Dancing Mindfulness: A Creative Path to Healing and Transformation, Trauma Made Simple, Trauma and the Twelve Steps, and EMDR Made Simple.
“An empirically strong program like MBCT simply begs the question: how can we use it to help other groups than those for whom it was originally developed? In other words, how can we bring this powerful means of dealing with suffering to other groups who also suffer? No diagnostic group is more deserving than those who suffer from the effects of trauma and the authors have done a wonderful job of laying out the territory of MBCT for PTSD. Using clear and concise examples and rationale, snippets of dialogue from sessions, and sound logic for the adaptations they have made, Sears and Chard have made a major step forward toward bringing the healing power of MBCT to the huge and deserving group of individuals struggling with PTSD.”
–Steven D. Hickman, Psy.D., Associate Clinical Professor, UC San Diego Departments of Psychiatry and Family Medicine & Public Health, Executive Director, UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness
“This is a timely, well-thought-through adaptation of the original MBCT protocol. Sears and Chard present a mindfulness-based treatment protocol for PTSD that supports the development of mindful awareness. Mindful awareness offers the promise of mediating the often strong reflexive conditioned patterns of reactivity that are the hallmark of this condition. By directing the mind to mindfully attend in a particular way to body sensations, automatic patterns of negative thinking, and strong and difficult emotions, our PTSD clients now have an additional way of relating to these states. This is one that offers them the capacity to respond rather than react, supporting different behavioral choices over time. I have no hesitation in recommending this book.”
–Susan Woods, MSW, LICSW, Senior Guiding Teacher, Mindfulness-Based Professional
Training Institute, UC San Diego
“Sears and Chard have masterfully built a comprehensive guide to identifying, selecting and implementing appropriate treatments for trauma. Their book is jam packed with treatment options that address how to manage the roller coaster of the process while keeping your eye on the goal of overcoming the impact of trauma. One of this book’s strengths is a clear description of trauma’s impact and the merging of research-based approaches to address that impact. They pull it all together for you. With practical tools and examples, this book will be your go-to manual for mapping out an appropriate and successful treatment plan for the victim of trauma.”
–Rebecca Born, MSW, LISW, author of Beyond Recovery to Restoration: Working with the Trauma of Sex Abuse.
“Among the many striking lessons from two well-respected clinicians in the field is Drs. Sears’ and Chard’s emphasis on the healing power of human compassion and presence. This incredible book masterfully applies their knowledge and understanding of the impacts of trauma and mindfulness into this innovative approach to treating symptoms associated with posttraumatic stress disorder. Their rich integration of science and clinical case examples, along with their ability to capture unique principles and synthesize them into practical tools experienced practitioners can use to aid in the healing of trauma survivors, is truly a remarkable contribution to the treatment of PTSD. This is a must read for all therapists, students, and researchers alike.”
-Brandi L. Luedtke, Psy.D, HSPP, developer of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD.
“This timely book is for the many clinicians who ask whether, and how, individuals who suffer from PTSD might benefit from MBCT. Dr. Sears’ and Chard’s book provides a great support to clinicians with a succinct, clearly written, state-of-the-art answer to how MBCT may add to current PTSD interventions.”
-Mark A. Lau, Ph.D., Vancouver CBT Centre and Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia
Building Competence in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Transcripts and Insights for Working With Stress, Anxiety, Depression, and Other Problems By Richard W. Sears, foreword by Zindel V. Segal
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an evidence-based program that combines mindfulness and cognitive therapy techniques for working with stress, anxiety, depression, and other problems. Building Competence in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy provides the first transcript of an entire 8-week program. This intimate portrayal of the challenges and celebrations of actual clients give the reader an inside look at the processes that occur within these groups. The author also provides insights and practical suggestions for building personal and professional competence in delivering the MBCT protocol.
“Whether it is leading mindfulness practices, embodying presence and kindness in interactions with group members, or guiding inquiry, this book fills a significant void in the literature by supporting the ongoing professional development of MBCT instructors regardless of their novice, intermediate, or expert status.”—From the foreword by Zindel V. Segal, PhD
“There’s nothing like watching an expert in action. In this wonderfully illustrative and openhearted book, Richard Sears shares his wisdom and experience by providing a complete transcript of an 8-week course of MBCT. Whether you’re an experienced provider or a novice, you’ll love seeing how Dr. Sears does this. When it resembles how you do it, you’ll feel validated. When it’s different, you’ll appreciate the fresh ideas. The introductory chapters provide insights about numerous clinical and practical issues. Both students and seasoned experts will pore over this unique book.”—Ruth Baer, PhD, author of The Practicing Happiness Workbook and Mindfulness-based Treatment Approaches
“Being an MBCT therapist may ask more of us than some other modes of therapy, but also may give us more in return. In particular, the need to cultivate ones own mindfulness practice can be personally challenging and also profoundly life-changing. Although what we teach must be grounded in our personal practice of mindfulness, facilitating mindful awareness in others requires other skills as well (such as conducting post-practice inquiries with awareness, empathy, and compassion). Dr. Sears has given us an essential resource to help professionals become more reflective, observant, and attuned MBCT therapists. Both novice clinicians learning to facilitate MBCT groups and seasoned clinicians wishing to deepen their skills will definitely want to read this book.”—Randye J. Semple, PhD, assistant professor, University of Southern California, co-author of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Anxious Children
“This book is a timely addition to the discussion about building competence in MBCT. Dr. Sears has beautifully described the process of leading participants through the 8-week program, and at the same time offers useful and practical guidance about what is involved in teaching MBCT. I recommend this book to all the MBCT trainees I teach.”—Susan Woods, MSW, LICSW, senior MBSR/MBCT professional trainer, principal curriculum consultant, Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute, Center for Mindfulness, UC San Diego
“Whilst the empirical literature on MBCT has been rapidly expanding in recent years, the literature on MBCT clinical practice and pedagogy has been much slower to develop. This is not surprising. MBCT teaching and learning is a subtle and delicate process which is best discovered through direct experience. However, it is wonderful to have other entry points and windows to support discovery. This valuable book offers us the opportunity of a fly on the wall perspective of the intimate work that takes place within an MBCT class, and it also gives us the chance to join the teacher and participants in their journey through the 8 weeks. This is a wonderful resource for all in the field.”—Rebecca Crane, director, Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice, Bangor University, United Kingdom
“Richard Sears has created a rich and timely resource for anyone working in mindfulness-based interventions. This practical and thorough guide provides coverage of an MBCT course from the beginning preparations, including marketing and setting up a group space, to an inside session-by-session look at the course. With its sound examples and advice regarding important issues and specific skills invaluable to the MBI facilitator, this book will become a favorite go-to for clinicians, students and supervisors.”—Sarah Bowen, PhD, author of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Addictive Behaviors: A Clinician’s Guide
“Leading an MBCT group is a product of a unique, personal integration of the teacher’s mindfulness meditation practice with the structured MBCT protocol. Dr. Sears provides a detailed, personal example of how this integration can unfold as well as answering many common, nuts-and-bolts questions about how to facilitate an MBCT group. As such, this book is a valuable complement to the MBCT treatment manual. It will be of use to all those interested in facilitating MBCT groups, particularly for those early on in their development.”—Mark A. Lau, PhD, Vancouver CBT Centre and clinical associate professor of psychiatry, University of British Columbia
“Fascinating. Insightful. Powerful. Practical. Building Competence in MBCT is the perfect companion book for experienced or neophyte clinicians who lead MBCT sessions—or, for that matter, any structured mindfulness-based group. As someone who has led hundreds of MBCT and other mindfulness-based groups, I found myself constantly learning new angles, areas of inquiry, and nuanced approaches. I commend Dr. Sears for not only his bravery in putting forth transcripts of his group sessions but also for his mindful approach that embodies wisdom, curiosity, and kindness, crucial qualities for us to practice and express in mindfulness groups. I am confident that those who give these chapters a careful reading, with a mindset toward application, will find themselves more confident, comfortable, and socially tuned in during their own mindfulness groups.”—Ryan M. Niemiec, PsyD, psychologist, author of Mindfulness and Character Strengths: A Practical Guide to Flourishing, and education director of the VIA Institute on Character
Perspectives on Spirituality and Religion in Psychotherapy Edited by Richard W. Sears and Alison Niblick, foreword by Edward P. Shafranske
Perspectives on Spirituality and Religion in Psychotherapy provides an important resource for clinicians seeking ways to address and to integrate spirituality into psychotherapy. Consistent with the diverse landscape of spiritual experience, the volume presents a wide range of spiritual perspectives and practices, which may be integrated within psychological treatment. Each approach at its core considers the unique ways in which psychology and spirituality conjoin to construct meaning and offer resources to cope with the challenges inherent in human life. This text is designed to educate clinicians on the importance of considering spiritual variables when working with clients. The chapters cover a wide range of spiritual traditions and common issues encountered in psychotherapy. The topics are practical and give concrete suggestions on how to work with a variety of spiritual issues that commonly arise in therapy and are brought to life with clinical examples.
Bravo! This excellent edited book presents a cogent dialogue between Western psychotherapy and spirituality. Richard Sears and Alison Niblick amassed an impressive list of contributors whose fresh voices provide a comprehensive discussion of the relationship between psychotherapy and diverse spiritual orientations. This valuable volume is a must read for novice as well as seasoned clinicians. –Lillian Comas-Diaz, PhD, author of Multicultural Care: A Clinician s Guide to Cultural Competence, co-editor of WomanSoul:The Inner Life of Women s Spirituality
In Perspectives on Spirituality and Religion in Psychotherapy, Richard Sears and Alison Niblick introduce readers to new voices in the psychology of religion and spirituality, and cover a diverse range of spiritual and psychotherapeutic topics. Rather than focus on spirituality in the abstract, this book addresses spirituality directly in the context of psychotherapeutic intervention and illustrates all the benefits and challenges this entails. In sum, Drs. Sears and Niblick and the diverse authors they have brought together have produced a worthy addition to the ongoing dialogue between psychology and spirituality, and between psychotherapists and their clients. –Brian Zinnbauer, PhD
This book is so loaded with research, stories, and practical strategies for psychotherapists and counselors that it serves as not only a fascinating journey through diverse spiritual and religious perspectives, but also as a resource to refer to again and again. Reading it will help clinicians become more well-rounded and compassionate in their communication with clients from a wide range of backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. –Ryan M. Niemiec, PsyD, Psychologist and author of Mindfulness and Character Strengths: A Practical Guide to Flourishing, Education Director, VIA Institute on Character
Consultation Skills for Mental Health Professionals by Richard Sears, John Rudisill, Carrie Mason-Sears
Though designed for mental health professionals, this book contains a broad overview of consulting strategies and techniques that will be useful for executives and consultants from a variety of backgrounds.
This comprehensive, user-friendly text builds on established research and the authors’ vast professional experience to address issues related to doing consultation with diverse clientele in varied settings. Filled with numerous exercises, case examples and checklists, as well as detailed guidelines for carrying out consulting work with individuals, teams, organizations, and other professionals, Consultation Skills for Mental Health Professionals contains a wealth of information on this important area of practice. It is designed to arm students and professionals with the tools they need to develop or enhance their consultation skills and successfully expand their practices into this lucrative arena.
“It is hard to imagine a more complete introduction to the field of consulting.” –PsycCRITIQUES
“Consultation Skills for Mental Health Professionals is an excellent introduction to a wide array of topics involving consultation. This practical, ‘how to’ guidebook is extensive in its coverage and a great place to get started. . . . Professionals who are looking to start consulting roles should buy it, read it, and regularly consult it.” —Rodney L. Lowman, PhD, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Alliant International University; Past President, Society of Consulting Psychology
“Consultation Skills for Mental Health Professionals is a must-read for any clinician who is considering consultation. Comprehensive and well-written, this is a book that I will strongly recommend to my career-coaching clients and all my colleagues.” —Larina Kase, PsyD, MBA, author of The Successful Therapist: Your Guide to Building the Career You’ve Always Wanted
Mindfulness in Clinical Practice
by Richard Sears, Dennis Tirch, Robert B. Denton
Forewords by Lama Surya Das and Steven C. Hayes
This book provides an overview of the ways mindfulness is being applied to clinical practice today.
Praise for Mindfulness in Clinical Practice:
At a time of surging interest in the therapeutic possibilities of mindfulness, this important volume provides clinicians with the vital nuts and bolts details for incorporating these transformative practices into their patient care.
–Zindel Segal, Ph.D., author of The Mindful Way through Depression.
This book is essential reading for any clinician interested in gaining insight into the growing development of the use of mindfulness-based interventions in clinical practice. The authors are to be commended for their clear and pragmatic overview and the thoroughness in which they cover the underlying principles involved in teaching and working with mindfulness in the clinical setting. I highly recommend this book.
–Susan Woods, MSW, LCSW
Readers will gain considerable knowledge and clinical skills in practicing and teaching mindfulness meditation. Several mindfulness programs designed to help clients with various clinical problems are included. The authors are to be commended for putting together this comprehensive review. I highly recommend it.
-G. Alan Marlatt, co-author of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention
For a book of its length, remarkable in both breadth and depth. An excellent resource for both the novice and the expert in the field.
–Thomas Bien, Ph.D. Author of: Mindful Therapy, Mindfulness and the Therapeutic Relationship, and The Buddha’s Way of Happiness.
Mindfulness in Clinical Practice is a reader’s rare delight, especially for the hard working therapist who wishes to become more skillful from the inside out with the practice and clinical applications of mindfulness meditation in the treatment room. The authors have masterfully reviewed the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn, Zindel Segal, Steven C. Hayes, and others to bring together a fresh and vitalized approach to wed the 2000-year-old wisdom teachings of the East with contemporary methods of psychotherapeutic practice. This book is a real gem and a must have for the tool box for every clinician who desires to both transform his/her own awareness and bring that shift into the treatment room!!!
–Ronald Alexander, Executive Director of the Open Mind Training Institute, Santa Monica, California,
Author of Wise Mind Open Mind, Finding Purpose and Meaning in Times of Crisis, Loss and Change.
I am so pleased to see this inspiring work my friends Richard, Dennis, and Robert have done in making these mindfulness practices more accessible and useful for therapists, helping others to heal and become more fully functional members of our communities. This ancient inner technology is an exciting new wave bound to enrich the Western sciences of the mind.
–Stephen K. Hayes, founder of To Shin Do, author of Action Meditation and How to Own the World.
Mindfulness in Clinical Practice is a clear, useful, practical guide to understanding both the ancient and the new approaches to mindfulness. Given the recent emphasis in cognitive behavioral therapies on using mindfulness, this book will help the clinician understand what mindfulness is, how it is reflected in different CBT approaches, and how it can be readily implemented. The authors each bring their unique experience and voice to a helpful guide that clinicians will value.
–Robert Leahy, Ph.D., Director, American Institute for Cognitive Therapy,
author of Cognitive Therapy Techniques and The Worry Cure.
This book beautifully and skillfully weaves a clear understanding of the nature of mindfulness into the ways it is used in a variety of recent therapies. It offers clear examples of mindful practices, how to use them clinically and with well researched evidence in support. An important work at an important time, easy to read, useful and highly informative.
–Prof Paul Gilbert, OBE, author of The Compassionate Mind
This is a much needed and useful book for clinicians interested in mindfulness by clinicians that are steeped in its practice. It is clear and comprehensive and includes a CD which is experiential. I recommend it for every clinician who’s curious about mindfulness and wants to apply it in their clinical practice.
–Elana Rosenbaum, MS, MSW, Board Certified Clinical Social Worker,
author, Here for Now: Living Well with Cancer through Mindfulness,
adjunct faculty and senior teacher at the Center for Mindfulness, University of Massachusetts Medical School.
This book fulfills two critical needs and belongs on the bookshelf of any researcher, clinician, or student interested integrating mindfulness into their work.
First, as mindfulness grows in popularity beyond individuals who have really taken time to study, there are risks. One that has troubled me is people using mindfulness as a “feel good” tonic. This is a slippery slope–in part because mindfulness makes a decent tonic. The problem is that mindfulness used as a feel-good tonic limits access to the more substantial gifts mindfulness has to offer. Mindfulness is not a place to hide from life, to seek relief from life. The more substantial gift of mindfulness is wakeful, enriched, engagement in day-to-day living. This book shows excellent sensitivity to this very tricky issue.
Second, the authors sought to provide a book that responds to the question “If I could read just one book about mindfulness, what would you recommend?” They did so with depth, style, nuance, and care. The authors provide a thoughtful overview of mindfulness as it emerges in a variety of empirically-responsible treatment models. The book is deep without being burdensome. It shows the nuances of the models without engaging in needless fights or controversy. If you are interested in mindfulness in modern science-based psychological therapies, buy this book. It is a gem.
–Kelly Wilson, Ph.D., author of Mindfulness for Two and Things Might Go Terribly, Horribly Wrong: A Guide to Life Liberated from Anxiety.
This book is a unique and valuable resource for clinicians. The authors clearly come from rich personal histories of mindfulness and clinical practice, and offer a clear, well-organized overview of mindfulness in Western psychology. This single book provides a practical, straightforward discussion of the roots, research, and clinical applications of mindfulness, in language accessible to a wide audience. The authors discuss specific mindfulness traditions, current treatment programs, and common underlying theories and practices. Clinical and case examples and excerpted dialogue provide clear illustrations of how clinicians might integrate mindfulness practices into both group and individual therapy.
–Sarah Bowen, Ph.D., author of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Addictive Behaviors: A Clinician’s Guide
If you want to know how mindfulness skills can be helpful to your clients, Mindfulness in Clinical Practice provides a comprehensive answer. This solid, easy-to-read synthesis of mindfulness research creates a broad knowledge base for new and experienced clinicians. The book explains the value of bringing mindfulness skills into the therapy room and clearly outlines how it can help your clients grow and heal.
–Susan Albers, PsyD, author of Eating Mindfully; Eat, Drink & Be Mindful; and Mindful Eating 101 www.eatingmindfully.com
This book provides remarkably thorough yet clear and concise coverage of the leading mindfulness-based interventions. Conceptual background, treatment strategies, empirical support, and numerous interesting clinical considerations are all discussed in ways that will be helpful and interesting for all levels of expertise.
–Ruth Baer, PhD, author of Assessing Mindfulness & Acceptance Processes in Clients and Mindfulness-Based Treatment Approaches
If you are looking for the authoritative book on mindfulness and psychotherapy, here it is. In this intimate, accessible and comprehensive volume, the authors’ deep wisdom and practice experience emerge compelling us to consider ways to apply mindfulness so as to relieve our clients’ suffering. Regardless of prior exposure to or grounding in mindfulness, the reader will find Mindfulness in Clinical Practice immensely useful and informative for its concrete examples, sample exercises, and clear, insightful exploration regarding the interface of mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy.
–Andrew Bein, Ph.D., LCSW
Professor of Social Work, California State University, Sacramento
Author of: The Zen of Helping: Spiritual Principles for Mindful and Open-Hearted Practice
Mindfulness in Clinical Practice is filled with accessible overviews of research-based programs woven into a beautiful and coherent summary of how various approaches to mindfulness can inform and transform psychotherapeutic interventions. Sears, Tirch and Denton have provided a wonderful and important gift to the clinical community that offers deep wisdom and practical steps to help people move from suffering to well-being. A clear and concise guide, this book is sure to find a welcome home on the shelves of therapists from a wide range of disciplines seeking more effective ways to bring healing into their work and into the world.
–Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. Author, The Mindful Therapist: A clinician’s guide to mindsight and neural integration; and Mindsight: The new science of personal transformation.
Dr. Sears is 2nd author of Group Therapy for Voice Hearers: Insights and Perspectives (with Andrea Lefebvre and Jennifer Ossege)
Dr. Sears is also 3rd author of a book called Paradox of Honor: Hopes and Perspectives of Muslim-American Women (with Drs. Tayeba Shaikh and Jennifer Ossege)
Dr. Sears is also sole author of the following works, most of which include studio recordings:
- An Overview of Buddhism
- An Introduction to Tendai
- An Introduction to Mikkyo
- The Lotus Sutra
- The Heart Sutra
- Kuji: The Nine Syllables
- Tendai Daily Practice Manual
- The Ritual of Fudo-Myo-O
- The Vows of Jizo and the Life-Span Sutra
- Japanese for the Martial Artist
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