Integrating Metta Into CBT: How Loving Kindness and Compassion Meditation Can Enhance CBT for Treating Anxiety and Depression

[Background] Loving kindness meditation and compassion meditation are traditional Buddhist practices that have recently been introduced and investigated in psychotherapy with promising results. Both meditation practices emphasize metta, a mental state of positive energy and kindness towards oneself...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Simona Stefan, Stefan G. Hofmann
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PsychOpen 2019-09-01
Series:Clinical Psychology in Europe
Subjects:
cbt
Online Access:https://cpe.psychopen.eu/index.php/cpe/article/view/2529
Description
Summary:[Background] Loving kindness meditation and compassion meditation are traditional Buddhist practices that have recently been introduced and investigated in psychotherapy with promising results. Both meditation practices emphasize metta, a mental state of positive energy and kindness towards oneself and other beings, as opposed to the anger, hostility, or self-loathing that often accompany emotional problems. [Method] We conducted a qualitative review of the literature to produce an integrative review. [Results] Metta meditation appears to be particularly useful for treating depression and social anxiety, both characterized by low positive affect and negative attitudes and core beliefs about the self. [Conclusion] Metta meditation can aid therapy by promoting more adaptive self-images, social connectedness, and emotional experiences.
ISSN:2625-3410