Integrating Buddhist psychology into grief counseling.

The field of grief counseling has yet to see an integration of Buddhist psychology. Drawing on Buddhist psychology literature and Western models of grief, this article explores possible integrations of two approaches. To lay the foundation for this discussion, the authors introduced a brief overview of the history of Buddhism as well as a Buddhist conception of death and other relevant Buddhist concepts. Integrations of Buddhist psychology and Western models of grief are explored within the context of death and grief as part of life, grief as a process, balancing doing and being, and an interpersonal approach to grief counseling. Application of the Buddhist approach for individual and group practice was illustrated, followed by a cautionary note on the caveats of integrating two approaches. The article ends with a discussion on the implications of the Buddhist approach for counselor self-care.

Cultivating mindfulness in health care professionals: a review of empirical studies of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR).

Demands faced by health care professionals include heavy caseloads, limited control over the work environment, long hours, as well as organizational structures and systems in transition. Such conditions have been directly linked to increased stress and symptoms of burnout, which in turn, have adverse consequences for clinicians and the quality of care that is provided to patients. Consequently, there exists an impetus for the development of curriculum aimed at fostering wellness and the necessary self-care skills for clinicians. This review will examine the potential benefits of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programs aimed at enhancing well-being and coping with stress in this population. Empirical evidence indicates that participation in MBSR yields benefits for clinicians in the domains of physical and mental health. Conceptual and methodological limitations of the existing studies and suggestions for future research are discussed.