Mindfulness as Clinical Training: Student Perspectives on the Utility of Mindfulness Training in Fostering Clinical Intervention Skills

Abstract

Mindfulness training is increasingly being recommended as a strategy for fostering therapeutic effectiveness. We used a qualitative methodology to explore the potential utility of mindfulness training in helping beginning MSW students develop clinical intervention skills. Students reported that the training helped them manage distractions and anxiety, facilitated their ability to attend and respond to the client, and encouraged them to be more self-aware and flexible in their thinking in the classroom and in the field. Mindfulness training may strengthen current cognitive and behavioral training strategies, while providing a means of integrating affective and sensory learning into the training process.

Keywords:

• mindfulness
• social work training
• helping skills
• clinical training

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a grant from the Brown Clinical Research Institute at Smith College School for Social Work.

Notes

1. A more detailed description of the adapted protocol may be obtained from the first author.