Exploring the Applicability of Reflected Image Meditation in Adolescent Counseling

Reflected Image Meditation may help adolescents develop emotional insight, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. In a small qualitative study, six graduate students in psychotherapy who practiced the meditation in a group setting reported four main themes from their experience: emotional insight and acceptance, self-awareness and readiness for change, emotional relaxation and stability, and challenges with emotion regulation. They also identified four potential benefits for adolescent counseling: increased self-awareness and willingness to confront emotions, better emotional regulation and coping, improved understanding of relationships and context, and the ability to explore and correct cognitive distortions. The authors suggest the meditation could be a useful new counseling approach.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This study explored the applicability of Reflected Image Meditation in adolescent counseling. The participants were 15 graduate students majoring in psychotherapy, enrolled in the course Adolescent Counseling. After conducting group Reflected Image Meditation sessions, six of these students voluntarily submitted written reflections on (1) their experiences with Reflected Image Meditation and (2) the potential applicability of this meditation in adolescent counseling. These reflections were analyzed using the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) method. The analysis revealed four main themes for (1) experiences with Reflected Image Meditation: ① emotional insight and acceptance, ② self-awareness and the beginning of change, ③ emotional relaxation and stability, and ④ challenges and progress in emotion regulation. Additionally, four main themes emerged for (2) the applicability of Reflected Image Meditation in adolescent counseling: ① self-awareness and confronting emotions, ② enhanced emotional regulation and coping skills, ③ improved understanding of relationships and contextual awareness, and ④ exploration and correction of cognitive distortions. Each main theme was further divided into several subthemes. Based on these findings, the study discusses the positive potential of Reflected Image Meditation in adolescent counseling and suggests its use as a new counseling approach. The implications and directions for future research are also discussed.