A Mindful Dialogue on Mindfulness-Based Practice

Rationale and Overview

 

Mindfulness-based practice (MBP) is becoming mainstream in mental health and clinical psychology but is still on the margins in social work direct practice. Mounting evidence indicates the effectiveness of MBP in the treatment of physical pain, physical health conditions, depression, anxiety, chemical dependency, interpersonal violence, and borderline personality disorders (Gilgun & Simms, 2016). While there has been persistent interest in MBP in social work for more than two decades (Turner, 2008; Napoli & Bonifas, 2013), journal articles on MBP number less than ten. Given the evidence for effectiveness in allied disciplines, the time has come for a deeper examination of the possibilities of MBP for social work. This roundtable will provide for increased understanding of the issues as well as appraisals of the possibilities of MBP for social work practice.

This roundtable will examine the following issues:

1)      theoretical frameworks and descriptions of MBP;

2)      fit of MBP with person-environment perspectives and values such as autonomy;

3)      sensitivity to client issues such as race, ethnicity, social class, and physical abilities;

4)      MBP already present in social work, and

5)       evidence for the effectiveness of MBP.

Learning Objectives

 

Attendees will

1)      Examine the state of art of MBP in social work and allied disciplines;

2)      Learn MBP intervention models in various fields of social work practice;

3)      Elicit audience responses and perspectives in a structured way; and

4)      Chart directions for further advances in theory, practice, and research.

Format

 

Roundtable Panel. (45 minutes). Five speakers who are accomplished scholars in MBP will represent diverse perspectives on MBP and the issues that are the focus of this roundtable.  The moderator will introduce each issue as presented earlier. Each panel member has the opportunity to respond. The focus is not on consensus, but on identifying a range of thought about each issue.

Reflection Panel. (25 minutes). The reflection panel is modeled on the reflecting team method (Andersen, 1991; Pender & Stinchlfield, 2012), used in couple and family therapy to encourage dialogue between observers and families.  Research has found it helpful in generating multiple perspectives and solutions (St. James O’Connor et al., 2004). The moderator will elicit participation from 2-3 audience members, including four researchers who are listed as members of the roundtable: a PhD student, a master’s level instructor, a private practitioner, and a senior faculty member. Two to three additional volunteers from the audience will complete the reflection panel.  With the guidance of the moderator, these participants will talk about how the contributions of the panel apply to their own work and various social work practice areas. The moderator will help the group keep focused, but the discussion will be free flowing, so that a diversity of creative views can be elicited. 

Audience Response. (20 minutes). In the final phase, the moderator will invite comments from the general audience.