Session 2: Understanding Avoidance, Mindfulness (Part I)
J. Gayle Beck
Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for PTSD 2025 DOI: 10.1093/med-psych/9780197691380.003.0003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Practical guide or manual Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Mindfulness |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | The chapter proposes that group therapy sessions should educate clients about the link between trauma-related memories and avoidance, including hierarchies of trauma cues, and should introduce mindfulness as a skill for improving attention and concentration through single-tasking practice. |
Abstract
Abstract This chapter focuses on educating clients about avoidance and mindfulness. In this session therapists explain the connection between trauma-related memories and avoidance and the hierarchies of trauma cues. Exploring cues that are subtle trauma-related triggers with one group member will help other group members understand how to unpack their own situational reminders. In this session therapists introduce the skill of mindfulness, which will help clients learn to focus their attention and improve concentration. Therapists encourage clients to practice doing one thing while fully engaging their attention on that activity, encouraging clients to notice the difference in how they feel when multi-tasking versus single-tasking.