Mindful Meditation in Perth

Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment with greater awareness of thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and the environment around you.

Bilingual Psychology provides mindfulness-based psychological support in Perth with registered psychologist Lin Tan.

Mindfulness and meditation may be incorporated into psychological therapy where appropriate to help people develop greater awareness of their internal experiences, manage stress and respond differently to difficult thoughts or emotions.

Appointments are available from our Willetton, Perth practice in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Mindfulness is not intended to replace appropriate psychological or medical treatment. The strategies used in therapy should reflect your individual circumstances and needs.

Contact Bilingual Psychology to discuss whether mindfulness-based psychological support may be appropriate for you.

Book an Appointment

What Is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness involves intentionally paying attention to what is happening in the present moment.

This may include noticing:

Thoughts
Emotions
Breathing
Physical sensations
Sounds
Movement
The environment around you

Rather than trying to remove every difficult thought or emotion, mindfulness can involve learning to notice experiences without immediately reacting to them.

For example, instead of becoming completely caught up in the thought:

“Something is going to go wrong.”

you may begin to recognise:

“I'm noticing that I'm having a worried thought.”

That small shift in perspective can create space between the thought and the way you respond to it.

What Is Mindful Meditation?

Mindful meditation is a more structured way of practising mindfulness.

During meditation, attention may be directed towards:

Breathing
Physical sensations
Sounds
Movement
Thoughts and emotions
A specific point of focus

The goal is not necessarily to empty your mind.

Thoughts will naturally arise.

Mindfulness practice may instead involve noticing when attention has wandered and gently returning focus to the present moment.

What Is the Difference Between Mindfulness and Meditation?

Mindfulness and meditation are closely related, but they are not exactly the same.

Mindfulness refers to present-moment awareness and can be practised during everyday activities.

For example, you might practise mindfulness while:

Walking
Eating
Drinking tea
Showering
Listening to another person
Completing a routine task

Meditation is usually a more deliberate practice in which you set aside time to focus your attention.

Mindful meditation is therefore one way of practising mindfulness.

Do I Need to Stop Thinking During Meditation?

No. A common misconception is that successful meditation means completely stopping your thoughts.

The mind naturally generates thoughts.

During mindfulness practice, you may notice thoughts about:

Work
Relationships
The past
The future
Things you need to do
Things you are worried about

The aim is generally not to eliminate these thoughts.

Instead, you may practise noticing that the thought has appeared and then gently returning your attention to the present moment.

How Can Mindfulness Be Used in Psychology?

Mindfulness can be incorporated into psychological therapy in different ways.

Depending on the person and the reason they are seeking support, mindfulness may involve learning to:

Notice thoughts without immediately reacting to them
Recognise emotions as they arise
Become more aware of physical responses to stress
Focus attention on the present
Observe patterns of worry or rumination
Respond more intentionally rather than automatically
Develop greater awareness of habitual reactions

Mindfulness is usually one part of a broader psychological approach rather than a complete treatment by itself.

Mindfulness for Stress

Stress can sometimes make it difficult to focus on what is happening in the present moment.

Your mind may constantly move between:

“What do I need to do next?”

“What if I don't finish everything?”

“What happened earlier?”

“What is going to happen tomorrow?”

Mindfulness practice may help you notice when your attention becomes caught in these patterns and gently return focus to what is happening now.

This does not remove external pressures or responsibilities.

Instead, it may provide one strategy for responding to stress with greater awareness.

Learn More About Stress Therapy →

Mindfulness for Anxiety

Anxiety can involve becoming caught up in thoughts about possible future events.

You may repeatedly think:

“What if something goes wrong?”

“What if I can't cope?”

“What if people judge me?”

Mindfulness may help you recognise anxious thoughts as mental events rather than automatically treating every thought as a prediction or fact.

It may also help increase awareness of physical signs of anxiety, such as tension or changes in breathing.

Mindfulness does not replace appropriate psychological treatment for anxiety.

Where anxiety is persistent or significantly affecting everyday life, psychological assessment and therapy may be appropriate.

Learn More About Anxiety Counselling →

Mindfulness and Difficult Thoughts

People sometimes try to control difficult thoughts by pushing them away.

This can become frustrating when the same thoughts continue returning.

Mindfulness takes a different approach.

Rather than asking:

“How do I stop having this thought?”

you may begin exploring:

“Can I notice this thought without immediately reacting to it?”

This does not mean agreeing with the thought or believing it is true.

It involves changing the way you relate to the thought.

Mindfulness and Emotions

Mindfulness can also involve developing greater awareness of emotions.

Instead of immediately judging an emotion as good or bad, you may practise noticing:

What emotion is present
Where you feel it physically
What thoughts accompany it
What urge or reaction follows it
Whether the intensity changes over time

This awareness may help create more choice in how you respond.

Mindfulness and the Body

Stress and emotions can sometimes be noticed physically before you consciously recognise what you are feeling.

You may notice:

Tight shoulders
Jaw tension
Changes in breathing
A racing heartbeat
Restlessness
Stomach discomfort
Physical agitation

Mindfulness may involve noticing these sensations with curiosity rather than immediately trying to change them.

However, new, severe or unexplained physical symptoms should be medically assessed rather than assumed to be caused by stress or anxiety.

Can Mindfulness Help With Overthinking?

Mindfulness does not necessarily stop thoughts from occurring.

Instead, it may help you recognise when you have become caught in repetitive thinking.

For example, you might notice that you have spent several minutes repeatedly analysing a conversation.

Rather than continuing automatically, mindfulness can help you recognise:

“I'm caught in this thought again.”

You can then choose where to direct your attention.

For persistent worry or rumination that causes significant distress, psychological therapy may involve additional strategies beyond mindfulness.

Mindfulness and CBT

Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can sometimes complement each other.

CBT may involve examining relationships between thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

Mindfulness may help develop greater awareness of those thoughts and emotions as they occur.

For example, mindfulness can help you notice:

“I'm having the thought that I'm going to fail.”

CBT may then explore the thought itself, the evidence surrounding it and how it influences behaviour.

The psychological approach used depends on your individual circumstances and therapy goals.

Is Mindfulness a Religious Practice?

Mindfulness has historical connections with contemplative and spiritual traditions, including Buddhism.

However, mindfulness can also be practised in secular psychological and wellbeing settings.

You do not need to follow a particular religion or spiritual belief to practise mindfulness.

Where mindfulness is incorporated into psychological therapy, the approach should reflect your individual preferences and circumstances.

Is Mindfulness Suitable for Everyone?

Not every psychological strategy is appropriate for every person.

Some people find mindfulness useful, while others may find certain exercises uncomfortable or unhelpful.

For example, focusing closely on internal experiences may sometimes be difficult for people experiencing particular forms of distress.

You should not feel that you have failed if a mindfulness exercise does not suit you.

A psychologist can discuss different approaches and adapt therapy according to your needs.

Do I Need to Meditate for a Long Time?

No.

Mindfulness practice does not necessarily require long meditation sessions.

Some exercises may take only a few minutes.

For example, you might practise:

Paying attention to several breaths
Noticing sounds in the room
Observing physical sensations while walking
Mindfully completing an everyday activity

Regular practice may be more realistic for some people when it begins with short periods rather than trying to meditate for a long time immediately.

What Happens During Mindfulness-Based Psychological Support?

Understanding Your Concerns

Your psychologist will first discuss what you are experiencing and what you would like support with.

Considering Whether Mindfulness Is Appropriate

Mindfulness is not automatically used with every client.

Your psychologist can consider whether it fits your circumstances, preferences and therapy goals.

Learning Mindfulness Skills

Where appropriate, you may explore practices involving breathing, body awareness, thoughts, emotions or present-moment attention.

Practising Outside Sessions

You may be encouraged to practise certain exercises between appointments.

This can help develop familiarity with mindfulness in everyday situations.

Reviewing What Works for You

Your experience can be discussed during therapy and the approach adapted as needed.

Mindfulness in Everyday Life

Mindfulness does not have to occur only during formal meditation.

You can practise present-moment awareness during ordinary activities.

While walking: notice the movement of your body and your surroundings.

While eating: notice taste, smell and texture.

During a conversation: focus on listening rather than preparing your response.

During work: notice when attention has wandered and return to the task.

During stressful moments: notice thoughts, emotions and physical sensations before deciding how to respond.

The aim is not to remain mindful every moment of the day.

Attention naturally wanders. Recognising that it has wandered is itself part of the practice.

Mindfulness and Cultural Context

People can have different understandings of mindfulness depending on their cultural, family or spiritual background.

For some clients, meditation may already be familiar through cultural or religious traditions.

For others, mindfulness may be entirely new.

Psychological therapy should not assume that there is only one correct way to understand or practise mindfulness.

Your personal and cultural context can be considered when discussing whether mindfulness fits your therapy goals.

Mindfulness Support in English, Mandarin and Cantonese

Bilingual Psychology provides psychological services in:

English
Mandarin
Cantonese

This can allow mindfulness exercises and psychological concepts to be discussed in the language you feel most comfortable using.

Mindfulness & Psychology in Willetton, Perth

Bilingual Psychology provides psychological services from Willetton, Western Australia.

Services are provided by registered psychologist Lin Tan.

Mindfulness may be incorporated into psychological therapy where appropriate to the person's circumstances and goals.

Do I Need a GP Referral?

You can contact Bilingual Psychology directly to enquire about psychological services.

If you are seeking Medicare rebates for eligible psychological services, speak with your GP and Bilingual Psychology about current referral and eligibility requirements.

Book Mindfulness-Based Psychological Support in Perth

Mindfulness can provide one way of developing greater awareness of thoughts, emotions and responses to everyday experiences.

If you are interested in incorporating mindfulness into psychological therapy, an initial appointment can provide an opportunity to discuss whether the approach may be appropriate for your needs.

Bilingual Psychology provides psychological services from Willetton, Perth, with appointments available in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Contact Bilingual Psychology to discuss mindfulness-based psychological support and appointment availability.

Book an Appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness involves intentionally paying attention to the present moment and noticing thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and the environment with greater awareness.

What is mindful meditation?

Mindful meditation is a structured mindfulness practice in which attention may be directed towards breathing, physical sensations, sounds or other present-moment experiences.

What is the difference between mindfulness and meditation?

Mindfulness is present-moment awareness that can be practised throughout everyday life.

Meditation is a more formal practice that may be used to develop mindfulness.

Do I need to stop thinking when I meditate?

No. Thoughts naturally occur during meditation.

Mindfulness generally involves noticing when thoughts appear and gently returning attention to the chosen point of focus.

Can mindfulness help with stress?

Mindfulness may help people recognise stressful thoughts and physical responses and redirect attention towards the present moment.

It can form part of broader psychological support for stress where appropriate.

Can mindfulness help with anxiety?

Mindfulness may be used as one strategy for recognising anxious thoughts, emotions and physical sensations.

Persistent or significant anxiety may require broader psychological assessment and treatment.

Can mindfulness help with overthinking?

Mindfulness may help you recognise when you have become caught in repetitive thinking and intentionally redirect your attention.

It does not necessarily stop thoughts from occurring.

Is mindfulness the same as CBT?

No.

Mindfulness and CBT are different psychological approaches or techniques, although they can sometimes be used together.

CBT typically examines relationships between thoughts, emotions and behaviours, while mindfulness focuses more on awareness of present-moment experience.

Do I need to meditate every day?

There is no single mindfulness schedule that is appropriate for everyone.

Some people practise regularly, while others use shorter exercises when appropriate.

Your psychologist can discuss a realistic approach based on your circumstances.

Is mindfulness religious?

Mindfulness has historical connections with spiritual traditions, but it can also be practised in secular psychological settings.

You do not need to follow a particular religion to practise mindfulness.

Is mindfulness suitable for everyone?

Not necessarily.

Different psychological strategies suit different people. Some people may find particular mindfulness exercises uncomfortable or unhelpful, so the approach should be adapted according to individual needs.

Is mindfulness available in Mandarin or Cantonese?

Yes. Bilingual Psychology provides psychological services in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Where can I access mindfulness support in Perth?

Bilingual Psychology provides psychological services from Willetton, Western Australia, with services provided by registered psychologist Lin Tan.