Abstract:
The Buddhist practice of cultivating mindfulness has
been increasingly influencing psychotherapeutic
work. However, in Sri Lanka, the documentation on
the use of such practice in psychotherapy is scarce.
This paper aims to discuss the influence of Buddhist
mindfulness practice on psychotherapy; present a
case of mixed anxiety-depressive disorder where
mindfulness practice and behaviour therapy were
used in its treatment and discuss issues that need to
be considered in the use of mindfulness practice in
psychotherapy. The combined use of Buddhist
mindfulness practice and behaviour therapy
yielded a favourable outcome in the case reported.
In Sri Lanka, a culturally rooted method such as
mindfulness practice, in combination with behaviour
therapy, is useful in the treatment of mixed anxietydepressive
disorder. The use of mindfulness practice
in psychotherapy should be undertaken by those
trained in psychological assessments and by those
who have their personal mindfulness practice. Future
studies on the use of mindfulness practice in other
psychological disorders would be useful.
