Jay Jalali Yorkville University PSYC 6163: Counselling Methodologies - Behavioural and Cognitive Modalities Dr. Kevin Feisthamel January 24, 2020

Assignment 1: Synopsis of Video Lecture
Jay Jalali
Yorkville University
PSYC 6163: Counselling Methodologies - Behavioural and Cognitive Modalities
Dr. Kevin Feisthamel
January 24th, 2020

Synopsis of Video Lecture
This synopsis explains and discusses the key points of a lecture by Dr Stuart Eisendrath, who is a
Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Director of the UCSF Depression Center. In this lecture he explores
alternatives to treating depression with cognitive mindfulness-based therapy, a technique that blends
mindfulness meditation and cognitive therapy techniques to lessen depression, particularly in individuals
with recurrent episodes.
General Background
Dr Stuart states that mindfulness can be defined in various ways, however the most common
definition is explained as; paying purposeful, non judgemental attention in a particular way, by focusing
on the present moment, letting go of the past and future, and coming to awareness of the present (UCTV,
2012). Dr. Eisendrath likens mindfulness to identifying mental pain the same way as physical pain, in
that, noticing and observing the presence of pain, does not mean we always identify it as good or bad
(UCTV, 2012) .
Up until the lecture in 2012, mindfulness had been used for a variety of conditions such as stress
reduction, pain, psoriasis, eating disorders, fibromyalgia pain, cancer, labour pain, anxiety, depression,
bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. While a lot of the mindfulness-based treatments were
not widely developed and were still experimental, they are all still moving forward, with the most
developed treatment being MBCT (UCTV, 2012).
Key Points
A first major point explained is that research showed that 8 weeks of mindfulness-based training
helps people with depression to stop ruminating or continuously think about a situation, which essentially
drives depression (UCTV, 2012). Additional research showed that mindfulness is different from other
forms of psychotherapy as it doesn’t aim to fix the reason or question the ruminating, but an attempt to
decentre and distance sufferers from thoughts and feelings (UCTV, 2012).
Next, the analogy of pop corn thoughts arising during depression and naturally latching on to
them as true, is a way of being tricked (UCTV, 2012). The idea is that mindfulness allows the space
between viewing thoughts objectively, as unintentional mental occurrences stemming from depression,
and hence offering oneself more self compassion to separate from them (UCTV, 2012).
Finally, the neuropsychology explanation of abnormalities in brain functioning for people
suffering rom depression and regulation that occurs from affective processing, relates to decision making,
reasoning and memory functions. The results show how MBCT training energizes areas of the brain that
restores attentional and emotional regulation control (UCTV, 2012).
Opinion Section
Pros
The use of empirical clinical research and well summarised explanations of studies allowed the
neuropsychology rationale behind the use of mindfulness-based treatments for depression, to be positively
demonstrated and received. Relatable behavioural examples and explanations point to the ease of
understanding the biopsychosocial links between psychological disorder outcomes and how mindfulness
techniques differ from other forms of therapy and treatments. Finally, Inviting the audience to practice the
mindfulness exercise even briefly was an effective way to connect the ideas he was trying to advocate.
Cons
The use of Buddhism meditative principles that were linked to the form and effectiveness of
clinical mindfulness based practices , seemed ambiguous and poorly researched for comparison. Next, the
neurological explanations of the brain functioning, and technicalities were highly advanced for non
psychiatric based comprehension in certain areas. This prevented more in-depth critical thinking about
depression and psychological concepts being discussed due to lack of fundamental medical science
verification of the ideas.

References
University of California Television (UCTV). (2012, May 31). Applying mindfulness-based
cognitive therapy to treatment [Video file]. Retrieved
from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eQ3MWz4yrI

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Assignment 1: Synopsis of Video Lecture

PSYC 6163: Counselling Methodologies - Behavioural and Cognitive Modalities

Dr. Kevin Feisthamel

January 24th, 2020

with recurrent episodes.

developed treatment being MBCT (UCTV, 2012).

Finally, the neuropsychology explanation of abnormalities in brain functioning for people

restores attentional and emotional regulation control (UCTV, 2012).

verification of the ideas.

cognitive therapy to treatment [Video file]. Retrieved

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