In the clinical setting, studies have shown that practicing mindfulness can have myriad benefits for clients. These include a decrease in anxiety, anger and depression, increased confidence and greater emotional self-regulation.
However, be aware that practicing mindfulness meditation can have adverse effects, particularly among people who have experienced trauma. This may be due to several reasons. If a client is in a state of hyperarousal, it can be challenging to relax and slow down. Whereas if a client is experiencing a dissociative state, it can be difficult to connect to the present reality, as well as their physical body. Additionally, for people who have experienced physical or sexual trauma, tuning in to their bodies can trigger flashbacks, anxiety or other uncomfortable symptoms.
While you cannot force someone to relax, you can create conditions in which relaxation is possible. Below are some tips to help you implement trauma-sensitive mindfulness into your practice today.
| 1 | Screen for trauma. Even if a client is not meeting with you specifically for trauma-related reasons, they may have a history of trauma. Screening might include using an evidence-based assessment tool or questionnaire in addition to your organization’s standard intake processes. |
| 2 | Practice cultural humility. This can help you be aware of and sensitive toward potential shared trauma, such as racial or generational trauma. |
| 3 | Tune in to your client’s unique background. For example, if they have served in the military, they may have been taught mindfulness practices to stay calm in combat and shoot better. In this case, mindfulness can trigger PTSD symptoms. |
| 4 | Create a safe space for clients. This can include keeping the lights dimmer, establishing boundaries and ensuring clients won’t have to sit with their backs to the door (or not sitting between clients and the door). |
| 5 | Include clients in creating a safe, comfortable environment. This can give them a sense of choice and control. People with a history of trauma often feel like they are lacking control. You might ask where they’d prefer to sit, where they’d prefer you to sit and if they are comfortable with how the room is set up. You might ask, “Is there anything I can do to help you feel more comfortable and safe?” |
| 6 | Use trauma-informed group practices to maintain a sense of safety and comfort when managing multiple clients. You might suggest that clients come up with group agreements to respect each other’s well-being during their time together, including during mindfulness practices. |
| 7 | Explain to clients what mindfulness is, what they can expect from the practice and the options they have during the practice. These can include offering different postures to begin the practice in, reminding clients they can keep their eyes open or providing different options for breathwork. |
| 8 | Encourage clients to explore ways they may be able to ground and soothe themselves during practices. This can include placing their hand on their chest or repeating a calming phrase (such as “I am safe,” or “Everything is okay”). This can not only help them during sessions with you, but during stressful situations outside of the clinical setting as well. |
| 9 | Pay attention to clients who show discomfort so you can be sensitive to their experience. Some signs of post-traumatic stress you might notice are: their face looks pale, tense or slack; sweating; shortness of breath; startling easily; it’s difficult to understand what they are saying; crying; acting angry or afraid; appearing weak or unsteady; avoiding eye contact; or reporting flashbacks. |
| 10 | Do not take practices beyond your training. You might redirect clients who show signs of post-traumatic stress by discussing their strengths, referring them to community resources or consulting with your care team. |
| 11 | Lastly, tune in to clients to decide together if mindfulness is a helpful tool for them. It may simply be that there are other skills and approaches that work better for their individualized experience and needs. |