ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the process of how depressed patients regulate themselves around the cores of mindfulness therapy-cognition, non-judgement and living in the present.Methods:The phenomenology of the qualitative research was adopted. The themes are analyzed, organized and refined through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 23 depressed patients, and using the Cloaizzi 7-step analysis.Results:A total of four themes are analyzed: multiple psychological experiences, mindfulness therapy to change thinking patterns, to promote self-identity, and to form self-coping strategies.Conclusions:Depressed patients are often passive and affected by negative emotions and automatic thoughts when they first participate in mindfulness therapy. Based on patients′ processual experience of participating in mindfulness therapy, health care professionals should focus on the patients′ self-regulation process and develop regulative strategies so as to help patients better understand and adapt to mindfulness therapy, reduce the recurrence of depression, and improve their qualities of life.