Meditation is everywhere—from mindfulness apps to therapy sessions. As a therapist, I often
wonder: Is this really for me? Or more importantly, is it right for my clients?
The short answer? Maybe. Mediation is helpful when we know how and when to use it!
Mediation, the act of practicing a nonjudgmental awareness of the surrounding body sensations, and breathing, in efforts to calm the mind and regulate emotional states.
Meditation isn’t a cure-all, and it isn’t always accessible or appropriate for everyone.
But it can be a valuable tool. Here are a few questions to help you reflect:
1. Do you need a moment of quiet in your day?
Meditation offers a structured way to pause and regulate your nervous system- Even 5 minutes of breath awareness can help bring down your stress level—especially after a stressful meeting, argument with a loved one, or life just being life overwhelming.
2. Are you someone who struggles with high anxiety or perfectionism?
Some individuals may struggle with meditation because they “can’t stop thinking.” That’s okay, meditation doesn’t mean emptying the mind, it means noticing what’s there, and returning to focusing on breathing, surroundings, and sensations gently.
1. Are you someone with unprocessed trauma?
For clients with significant trauma histories, sitting in silence can feel unsafe. Closing the eyes, turning inward, or focusing on the body may trigger flashbacks, dissociation, or panic. Instead: Start with grounding techniques (5 senses, box breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, etc.)
2. Are you experiencing a mental health crisis or serious mental health symptoms?
When someone is in the middle of a depressive spiral, a manic episode, or active suicidal
ideation, meditation might feel impossible—or worsen rumination. Instead, prioritize
containment, structure, and external focus—prioritizing these types of activities can be found in CBT treatment approaches used to treat depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorders.
3. Do you experience perfectionistic thinking?
For those who struggle with “doing it right,” meditation can become another arena for self-judgment. Instead: Reframe mindfulness as noticing rather than achieving. Consider using
informal mindfulness practices such as walking, yoga, art, or grounding techniques. Focusing on enhancing your awareness of your surroundings, thoughts, and physical sensations instead of formal seated meditation.
4. Are you someone who is neurodivergent or has sensory sensitivities
Clients with ADHD, autism, or sensory processing issues may find sitting still and focusing on
breath extremely uncomfortable or dysregulating. Instead: Explore stim-based grounding (like fidget tools, textured objects, or walking meditations) or active forms of mindfulness.
Moral of the story, trust what you feel- if it doesn’t feel helpful, it probably isn’t. There are lots
of varieties and nuanced ways to find mediation throughout your daily life, and the sit-down
structured version of mediation is not a one-size-fits-all.
Read my next blog, “What to Try Instead of Meditation,” for more inspiration on this topic.
