Implementation of mindfulness training for adolescent residential clients
Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities
ISSN: 0964-1866
Article publication date: 24 June 2013
Abstract
Purpose
Interest in using mindfulness as a clinical intervention technique has increased, with evidence suggesting that it can be successfully integrated both into treatment for adolescents and for people with substance use disorders. The purpose of this paper is to explore the degree to which mindfulness training can be implemented among adolescents undergoing residential substance abuse treatment.
Design/methodology/approach
Nine adolescent males in a residential therapeutic community (TC) substance use treatment center enrolled in a voluntary mindfulness training program consisting of eight 90 minute sessions, each led by a clinical psychologist trained in mindfulness-based stress reduction. After the training program concluded, a brief participant survey and participant and staff focus groups were conducted.
Findings
Both survey and focus group discussions indicate that the mindfulness training program was perceived as helpful, acceptable, and feasible. Suggestions for integrating mindfulness training into residential treatment facilities for adolescents are discussed.
Originality/value
This study highlights the potential of mindfulness training to augment traditional TC treatment for adolescents, and provides enough information for practitioners to implement mindfulness training in their treatment settings.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Daytop Village of New Jersey for allowing the mindfulness training course to be piloted in their facility. The authors also thank the resident course participants for their willingness to try something different. This project was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (R21DA021569) at the National Institutes of Health. Study sponsors had no involvement in the study design; collection, analysis and interpretation of the data; writing of the paper; or the decision to submit the paper.
© RAND Corporation
Citation
Orlando Edelen, M., L. Cerully, J., A. Verni, K., S. Tucker, J. and Fox, E. (2013), "Implementation of mindfulness training for adolescent residential clients", Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, Vol. 34 No. 2/3, pp. 96-103. https://doi.org/10.1108/TC-03-2013-0003
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited