Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy Approaches for First Responders: From Research to Clinical Practice.
Brian A Chopko, Konstantinos Papazoglou, Robert Schwartz
American Journal of Psychotherapy July 27, 2018 DOI: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20180015 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | First responders, with law enforcement officers as a specific example |
| Topics | Meditation PTSD |
| Keywords | Humans Awareness Mental disorders Behavioral research Psychotherapy Police Emergency responders Translational research, biomedical Resilience First responders |
| Key findings | Argues that mindfulness-based interventions can directly promote first responders' mental and physical health and increase resilience to work-related stressors. The article summarizes supporting empirical research, introduces two mindfulness-based psychotherapies, and proposes that psychotherapists use these approaches to help first responders apply awareness-based, nonjudgmental, present-centered techniques during critical incidents and off duty. |
Abstract
First responders are psychosocially burdened with work-related stressors that occur frequently during required duties. Related mental health difficulties, such as direct and vicarious trauma, depression, and interpersonal problems often affect first responders' ability to perform effectively, and their personal lives may be disrupted. Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to directly promote first responders' mental and physical health while providing increased resilience when facing work-related stressors. This article summarizes mindfulness-based benefits and empirical research related to first responders, using law enforcement officers as one specific example. Two specific mindfulness-based psychotherapies are introduced, as are generalizable mindfulness techniques useful for first responders. Psychotherapists can use these empirically supported treatment approaches to help first responders understand and incorporate awareness-based, nonjudgmental, and present-centered mindfulness techniques during critical incidents and while off duty as resilience-building mechanisms.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Traumatic Psychedelic Experiences. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences April 29, 2025
- Effects of Short Video App Guided Mindfulness Meditation on Policemen's Communication Anxiety, PTSD, Anger Management, and Mood Disorders. Healthcare May 21, 2025
- Enhancing Physiological Complexity Through Mindfulness: A Wearable-Based Intervention for First Responders and Their Partners. Healthcare June 1, 2026
- Mindfulness in trauma recovery: applications, insights, and future directions. Frontiers in Psychology November 6, 2025
- Brief mindfulness training for Canadian public safety personnel well-being Journal of Community Safety and Well-Being June 30, 2023
and 1 more in the library
Cites 10
- A default mode of brain function Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 16, 2001
- Metacognitive awareness and prevention of relapse in depression: Empirical evidence. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2002
- Treatment-specific changes in decentering following mindfulness-based cognitive therapy versus antidepressant medication or placebo for prevention of depressive relapse. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology March 12, 2012
- Dispositional mindfulness, spirituality, and substance use in predicting depressive symptoms in a treatment-seeking sample. Journal of Clinical Psychology December 17, 2014
- How Does MBCT for Depression Work? Studying Cognitive and Affective Mediation Pathways PLoS One August 23, 2013
and 5 more in the library