Mindfulness

Project description
Assignment 1
The assignment brief for the single assessment is as follows.

Assignment Brief

Part A. Develop a 1000 word information package that can either

1) Be offered to clients to help them understand how mindfulness-based approaches may be relevant and/or practically helpful for them.
or
2) Be offered to fellow practitioners/trainees to help them understand why mindfulness-based approaches may be of relevance to their practice.

Part B. Clearly identify a key concept, idea or issue that was used in Part A. In the introduction to Part B state the key concept, idea or issue from Part A that you

have chosen to focus on. Demonstrate, in 1000 words, your understanding of this concept through summarising the underpinning theory and over-viewing relevant clinical

/ research literature.

Guidance

1. Writing Style
Part A should be written or spoken in language appropriate to the user group (e.g. non-technical with jargon terms defined for a client leaflet).

Part B should take the form of a short academic essay. Note that you need to identify the concept you are discussing clearly: too broad a concept and you may struggle

to give an overview in 1000 words; too narrow and you may find little literature.

2. Referencing
Both should show references in the standard UoS format where possible but there are likely to be fewer references in Part A and used in an appropriate way especially

for clients. So you may just have a reference in brackets at the end of a paragraph in a client leaflet whereas in Part B you may be using them much more explicitly

(such as: Smith (2010) considers that…)

If the format for Part A makes standard referencing clumsy (e.g. in a video) you can discuss with Tim another referencing format – but only for Part A of this

assignment! Part B must be in standard UoS format.

3. Format
Part A can be presented as a simple handout or leaflet in black and white text and no or few graphics. You can add colour and graphics to make the handout more

interesting and inviting and it is useful to practice doing so as producing client literature is something you may want to do when you are working as a counsellor. You

could also use other media formats (such as setting Part A up as a single webpage or set of linked webpages). Make sure you discuss with Tim if you want to use more

media rich formats.

Marking Guide
Part A Content = 40 marks
Part A Format = 10 marks (appropriate language, presentation)

Part B = 40 marks

Correct referencing format and correct usage = 10 marks

Assignment Example 1
Part A: A client leaflet explores the use of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) to help prevent relapse of depression giving a simple overview and links to

relevant resources. It overviews why MBCT can be helpful in preventing depression relapse (mentioning the NICE Guidelines) and what an MBCT course involves. It could

identify what the next steps are in accessing an MBCT course (information sources).

Part B.
This identifies the concept to be explored as: ‘MBCT can help prevent depression relapsing’ in the introduction.
Mindfulness is briefly defined and a brief summary of MBCT is provided. Then the evidence supporting the use of MBCT for preventing relapse is summarised.
A very brief conclusion is offered summarising key themes discussed above and any conclusions that can be drawn.

Assignment Example 2
Part A: This practitioner leaflet explores how mindfulness based approaches can help prevent therapist/trainee stress/burn-out. An explanation of what is mindfulness

is given. The research evidence in how it prevents burnout is summarised. Ways that mindfulness can be integrated into daily life are discussed. Information sources

are provided.

Part B.
This identifies the concept to be explored as: ‘Mindfulness helps reduce stress/burnout in therapists/trainees’ in the introduction.
Mindfulness and the issue of burnout are briefly defined. Then the evidence that mindfulness helps prevent burnout is discussed.
A very brief conclusion is offered summarising key themes discussed above and any conclusions that can be drawn.

Assignment Example 3
Part A: This leaflet explores how mindfulness based approaches integrate into person-centred approaches with a focus on empathy. The focus is on cultivating empathy in

counselling trainees and deepening it in trained counsellors. An explanation of what is mindfulness is given. The links between empathy and the concept of self-

compassion are explored. The evidence that mindfulness helps cultivate empathy is summarised. Perhaps a simple way of cultivating empathy mindfully is given.

Information sources are provided.

Part B.
This identifies the concept to be explored as: ‘Mindfulness helps enhance empathy in therapists’ in the introduction.
Mindfulness and the concepts of empathy and compassion are briefly defined. Then the evidence that mindfulness helps cultivate empathy is discussed.
A very brief conclusion is offered summarising key themes discussed above and any conclusions that can be drawn.

Assignment Example 4
Part A: A client leaflet explores the use of mindfulness to help manage anxiety giving a simple overview and links to relevant resources. It explores some of the

symptoms and signs of anxiety and why we can get stuck in anxious behaviour patterns. It includes a brief outline of how focusing anchors can be used and a link to an

audio track on the web.

Part B.
This identifies the concept to be explored as: ‘Mindfulness aims to accept feelings of anxiety rather than trying to control them’ in the introduction.
Mindfulness is briefly defined and then therapies that use mindfulness (e.g. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) are used as a literature source to explore why

acceptance offers more successful long term outcomes that trying to control anxiety. Evidence is cited from studies showing how attempts to control/suppress anxiety

result in rebound and intensification of anxiety. Studies showing how mindfulness helps reduce overwhelm from feelings of anxiety are cited.
A very brief conclusion is offered summarising key themes discussed above and any conclusions that can be drawn.
Submission