Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on psychotherapy processes: A systematic review
Elena Garrote-Caparrós1, Miguel Bellosta-Batalla2,3, Luis Moya-Albiol1
1Department of Psychobiology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
|October 23, 2021
Summary
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) may enhance psychotherapists' empathy, potentially improving patient outcomes. However, effects on therapeutic alliance and patient symptom reduction require further high-quality research.
Area of Science:
- Psychotherapy Research
- Clinical Psychology
- Mindfulness Studies
Background:
- Empathy and therapeutic alliance are crucial for psychotherapy effectiveness.
- Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) show promise in enhancing these therapeutic factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the effectiveness of MBIs for psychotherapists.
- To assess MBIs' impact on therapist empathy, therapeutic alliance, and patient symptomatology.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 16 studies on MBIs for psychotherapists.
- Analysis of studies measuring therapist empathy, alliance, and patient-reported outcomes.
- Risk of bias assessment using established methodological standards.
Main Results:
- Limited increase in psychotherapist-reported empathy following MBIs.
- Inconclusive findings regarding therapeutic alliance.
- Uncertain improvements in patient-reported symptomatology.
Conclusions:
- MBIs may benefit psychotherapeutic practice by fostering therapist empathy.
- Further high-quality research is needed to clarify effects on alliance and patient symptoms.
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