Mindfulness
In essence, mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment with an openness, curiosity, and willingness to BE with WHAT IS. It sounds simple, but is difficult to practice.
Much of the way we relate to our experiences involves aversion or attachment. We either wish something wasn't so (aversion) or we want the good times to last (attachment). Both reactions are very natural and human, and they both lead to suffering. Learning to be with what is, to pay attention to the way we are, and to cultivate a compassionate perspective of our life are at the heart of mindfulness practice.
One of the core elements of mindfulness that I teach people is to develop a new relationship with themselves by cultivating the ability to observe, with compassion, the patterns of the mind. This means letting go of the tendency to try to change the mind, but instead, learning to notice it with reduced reactivity, kindness, and with a choice of where to direct our attention. With practice, this becomes extremely empowering.
From 2004-2015, I taught the class, "Mindfulness Techniques for Healing Depression" which is a course in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). This course was developed for people seeking ways to better manage moods and anxiety in their lives. I was trained in MBCT by the UCSD Center for Mindfulness, a department in their school of medicine, and have since thoroughly integrated this approach into my clinical work with individuals and couples.
Please listen to my Meditation for easing anxiety
Below are a few testimonials from prior students in my classes:
"Mindfulness meditation as taught by Moby Coquillard has brought very positive changes into my life. Several weeks into the course, my doctor recommended that I change the anti-depressant I was on. This meant stopping one, waiting for a few weeks, and then starting another. What was a real surprise to me was that I felt better and better in that waiting period and decided I definitely did not and do not want to continue with the medication. The most valuable part of the technique for me is that I learned I can experience my feelings and thoughts (even very painful ones) and choose not to react to all of them. This has definitely helped me to let go of painful resentments and on to increased self esteem. I am smiling and laughing much more than I have in the past couple years. In so many ways I feel ready to move on to a more positive life."
Judith Peterson
"Through discussion, meditation, and poetry, Moby offers a sensitive and gentle introduction to the practice of Mindfulness informed Cognitive Therapy...I would highly recommend this class to anyone interested in learning introductory meditative techniques to begin changing negative patterns of thought..."
Andy Sweet, PhD
"I am so grateful fate brought me to Mindfulness and Moby’s class. He is a wonderful teacher and guide. I learned so during the course of the class. When I started the class I was a very stressed out, depressed, overwhelmed, checked out wife and mom of 3 little ones. When I finished, I found pleasure in doing something for myself, I developed tools to deal with life’s little challenges, I found a renewed appreciation for life, and most importantly I found a new calmness and peace within myself I never knew I had."
K.S.
My psychotherapy practice in San Mateo specializes in trauma & anxiety management, including mindfulness and somatic techniques for clients experiencing stress, depression, and anxiety. I have been practicing mindfulness since 1999.
MBCT is a very good complement to EMDR, adaptive processing and the attachment model that I use in psychotherapy.
Additional Resources:
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
Self Compassion
Cultivating Mindful Attention (see p. 8)
For more information about Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, click here MBCT
For further inquiry or to make an appointment:
(650) 781-6881 (currently this phone is not in service until mid July, 2022)
Please email mobyrichard@gmail.com