Mindfulness

What is Mindfulness

In a busy modern world, we are constantly being exposed to a significant amount of information which create a great deal of expectation about how we should be. This often results in becoming preoccupied with multiple thoughts, mostly about concerns associated with things that have happened in the past and/or anxiety about what might happen in the future. Without some sort of support this preoccupation is rapidly translating into symptoms associated with anxiety, depression and stress which are quickly becoming the most dominant conditions requiring clinical, and often pharmaceutical, treatments.

Mindfulness has been identified as an effective approach for both preventing, and responding to, stress, anxiety and depression. There is significant evidence which has emerged to suggest that mindfulness can lead to participants feeling happier, calmer, more fulfilled and focused. Connected Self provide a range of opportunities to engage in mindfulness for children, young people and adults. This includes having personnel accredited in the delivery of evidence based programs such as ‘.b’ which was developed in the United Kingdom for young people aged 11 to 17 years.

How we can help

The ‘.b’ Program is a ten module course that can be delivered in classrooms or other group settings. It uses a range of creative multimedia approaches - such as animations, sounds and videos - to engage young minds in a series of mindfulness practices. The program also offers an applied approach with demonstrations and practical exercises to assist young people to learn mindfulness skills to develop their own practice. There is a range of evidence which has validated the use of mindfulness in the educational context which has prompted educators, and others associated with supporting young people’s development, to embed mindfulness programs in curriculum and program scheduling across Australia and the world.

Mindfulness can also be delivered to adults, in groups or to young people and adults on a one to one basis. These approaches can be tailored to the context using a range of different evidence based approaches by personnel who have embodied their own mindfulness approaches and have undertaken a range of training courses. These personnel also access external supervision from highly qualified practitioners through our partnering agencies (see below).

How to access Mindfulness

Connected Self work with a range of partners to deliver high quality mindfulness programs. This includes our key partner in Australia, Mindfulness Matters.

Mindfulness Matters Australia Logo

Please contact our friendly reception team on (08) 8232 2438 or info@connectedself.com.au for more information.

Polyvagal Practices

Polyvagal practices aim to enhance physiological regulation, restore a sense of safety, and promote engagement through autonomic nervous system regulation.

This enhances social and emotional learning, including recognising and regulating emotions (from a physiological lens) and developing empathy for others.

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PACE

Developed as part of attachment-focused family therapy, PACE is a trauma-informed approach aiming to create safe, trusting, emotionally connected relationships with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma or attachment difficulties. PACE stands for:

Playfulness

  • Approaching with an open, ready, calm, relaxed and engaged attitude.
  • Not taking yourself/situations too seriously.
  • Diffusing difficult/tense situations.

Acceptance

  • Unconditionally accepting the current state/mood/behaviour.
  • Accepting that there are things unseen that lie below behaviour.
  • Acceptance supports feeling secure, safe and loved

Curiosity

  • Understanding the child gently and without judgement.
  • Supporting child to bring awareness to their inner life.
  • Wondering statements.

Empathy

  • A sense of compassion and understanding for young person’s feelings and thoughts.

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Expression of experience when words are not enough

Art Therapy does not rely on verbal language. It is a therapeutic approach that provides many different mediums for communication. It is a useful mechanism when clients may not yet have the language to express their experiences.

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Contain difficult feelings and build tolerance

Art making holds or contains the difficult feelings allowing them to be felt and experienced gradually – building tolerance to discomfort.

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