Susan M. Pollak, Thomas Pedulla, Ronald D. Siegel, Review of Sitting Together: Essential Skills for Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy

Sitting Together: Essential Skills for Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy by Susan Pollak, Thomas Pedulla, and Ronald Siegel is a practical manual for therapists interested in incorporating mindfulness practices into their own lives and clinical work. Rather than focusing on empirical support for mindfulness-based approaches, Pollak et al. (2014) draw upon their personal and clinical experience to share techniques they have used to assist patients to build improved awareness and nonjudgmental acceptance of their experiences. The 240 page text compiles numerous exercises and corresponding clinical illustrations that promote the four tenants of mindfulness: concentration, open monitoring, loving-kindness and compassion, and equanimity. Pollak et al. (2014) discuss how the formal practices provided in the exercise can be adapted to the needs of patients by addressing individual differences in cultural and religious backgrounds, symptom histories, and responsiveness to particular meditation techniques. Of particular use is an emphasis on the transformation of formal mediation techniques into informal mindfulness exercises that can be used in daily life or by those resistant to the primarily Buddhist influences of the practices presented. A strength of the text is its flexibility. Guidelines for the introduction, implementation, and sequencing of mindfulness practices are suggested for various disorders and populations, but alternatives routes are provided. Related exercises and terms are cross referenced within the text and there is a useful index. This helpful organization indicates that the text might be used in a modular fashion by clinicians familiar with mindfulness based therapy as they select exercises to include in treatment and that the text may be easily referenced throughout the course of clinical work. Pollak et al. (2014) provide an extensive list of supplemental resources for clinicians who are new to mindfulness and interested in learning more about its philosophical basis and empirical support. Much of Sitting Together is focused on enhancing mindfulness within the clinician. Pollak et al. (2014) address beginner clinician-meditators directly in the initial three chapters which describe the basic tenants of mindfulness and use the text’s three figures to illustrate how meditation practice can vary in process and content. Pollak et al. (2014) provide general instruction on engaging in mindfulness (e.g., how to start meditating), as well as therapist specific exercises (e.g., the Walking to the Waiting Room Meditation, or practices that address strong emotions that come up in session). The authors emphasize that all of the exercises included for patient use are equally well suited for clinicians. Pollak et al. (2014) suggest that as clinicians deepen their mindfulness practice, they will benefit from reductions in iatrogenic distress, as well as improvements in listening abilities and therapeutic relationships with patients. While it seems that the authors sincerely believe that all people will benefit from meditation practices, ultimately, Pollak et al. (2014) emphasis on the development of mindfulness based practices within the clinician arises from the belief that in order to be best serve patients as a mindfulness-oriented therapist it is important to practice what you preach. This stance reveals two related questions posed by Sitting Together. The first is explicitly addressed by the authors. What is the role of a mindfulness-informed psychotherapist: clinician or meditation teacher? Pollak et al. (2014) suggest that mindfulness-informed therapist A. Athey (&) Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-7123, USA e-mail: aja92@case.edu