Lecture room: Lögberg – 102. Click for a map.
Working institution
Assistant Professor, University of Akureyri,
Adjunct faculty, University of Iceland
Abstract
While narrative therapy has long since been established in family therapy, mindfulness is slowly gaining ground as well in the area. Both as an intervention for clients but also as a clinical tool for the therapist to better align him/herself with the clients and better be able to be present for their needs during sessions. Both approaches are client centered and stress the values of self-compassion, curiosity, openness, autonomy and awareness. They are applicable in different clinical settings and there are no obvious contradictions in using both methods concurrently. However it is imperative that the clinician has a clear understanding of the workings of both approaches and their philosophical foundations. As well as having appropriate training and clinical experience for this work.
In this workshop the presenter will discuss integrating narrative therapy and mindfulness in clinical practice. He will discuss the philosophical foundation of both approaches and the goodness of fit between the two approaches in clinical work. The talk will include both theoretical discussion as well as concrete clinical examples related to the topic at hand. The presenter will review the difference between using mindfulness with self and clients and how to maintain a philosophical balance using the two approaches concurrently.