Mindfulness for psychosis: a humanising therapeutic process

Mindfulness for psychosis has been slow to develop, in part because of the fear and stigma that surrounds psychosis. Breakthrough research showing how to adapt mindfulness groups for people with current distressing psychosis has led to a growing research base and it is now clear that adapted mindfulness for psychosis is both safe and therapeutic. However, how it works is less clear. This article argues that at its heart is a core humanising therapeutic process, characterised by key metacognitive insights and increased acceptance both of psychotic experience and the self. This core therapeutic process is underpinned not only by commitment to mindfulness practice, but also through active, constructive engagement with the group process. Individuals discover that that they are more than the psychosis, and that the self is balanced (positive and negative) and changing. It is recommended that future research explores these intra-personal and inter-personal therapeutic processes alongside outcome trials.