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Meditation: The Benefits of Communicating with Your Mind

Meditation is much more than the practice of sitting still and being “thoughtless”. Learn the benefits of Meditation on improving overall wellbeing.
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pexels photo 810775First of all, what is meditation? It is not incorrect to think that it is a piece of mindfulness that asks for stillness and awareness. However, meditation is much more than the practice of sitting still and being “thoughtless”. Meditation is a mindful process of self-acknowledgement that is nonjudgemental and without a label or connection to our thoughts. It is a pattern of practice which creates communication between you and your mind, then to your mind and body. Our sub-conscious mind produces many thoughts per second but we only connect to a number of these thoughts through our consciousness. Often people are unsure of their ability to meditate as they think so many thoughts throughout the practice. The meditation is not about not having any thoughts but allowing them in with recognition but not attachment so that the meditation is able to continue.

Meditation is a practice for everyone. Meditations can be instructed or guided, done with a group or alone, in a class or at home, in silence or with a mantra. There are a number of outlets to find a meditation style that works for you, your needs, and your level of comfort. But, why bother even with all of these options?

Meditation develops the Meditative, or Neutral, Mind. This is the mind that assesses your purpose through observation of your Negative Mind and Positive Mind. The Negative Mind is reactive and serves as a protective factor that searches for potential dangers in decisions. The Positive Mind is pleasure seeking and is constructive. This is similar to the states of mind used in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. The Neutral Mind is most similar to DBT’s Wise Mind which is described as the non-reactive and intuitive way of acting and knowing. It is a development of self-awareness and neutrality between action and reaction.

Here are some of the additional key benefits to meditation:
  • Meditation develops a sense of well-being, inner peace, and calmness.
  • Forms of meditation can help to improve symptoms of depression and can be maintained with long-term practice.
  • Intuition and self-awareness are developed. These developments can help to create the necessary foundations for change.
  • Habits of emotional reaction, unconscious habits, fears, and emotional blocks are released.
  • The ability to focus our energy to be more self-fulfilling promotes ourselves to be more effective and efficient.
  • Many styles of meditation reduce stress and symptoms of stress-triggered medical symptoms.
  • The consistent practice of meditation can reduce anxiety, phobias, social anxiety, paranoia, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and panic attacks.
  • As a result of decreased stress and anxiety, meditation can help to decrease a racing mind that interferes with sleep and can increase sleep quality.
  • Meditation can increase the ability to focus.
  • The frontal lobe of the forehead is developed, which controls the personality.
  • Meditation helps to develop mental focus and discipline which can help to combat addiction and triggers for unwanted impulses.

Meditation in itself is a practice towards improved wellness. When you find that your mind is wandering or creating unwanted thoughts it is an opportunity to learn how to refocus the mind towards presence. There are a number of meditations that can allow you to practice subjects of following your breath, resolving inner conflict, creating emotional balance and calmness, with the list going on and on. As with all mindful practices, the moment is yours to utilize as you see fit. If you are able to feel a shift then the meditation is working in its own way. At times, the meditation may bring up uncomfortable emotions or thoughts which is the subconscious mind providing an opportunity to let go of the thoughts that no longer serve you. Through this awareness true healing is able to occur.

At Nourish Your Mind, we are huge advocates of meditation and mindfulness. If this is an interest of you we welcome you to reach out to learn more on how to connect to a meditation style that works for you. NourishYourMind.com/Appointment 

–Sara Pitcher, MS, MHC

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BIO

Cameryn (Cam) received her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marist College. Prior to joining Nourish Your Mind, she worked in private practice, primarily serving children, teens, and their families. During this time, she developed a passion for helping clients navigate their unique challenges through the transformative power of play and expressive arts therapy. Cam believes that every individual deserves a safe, nurturing space where they can authentically express themselves. She is dedicated to empowering her clients by identifying and utilizing their inherent strengths to help them achieve their personal goals.

In her therapeutic approach, Cam integrates a holistic wellness model with strengths- and mindfulness-based methods. She employs a variety of evidence-based techniques, including DBT and Nondirective Play Therapy, and she recognizes the importance of tailoring interventions to meet the specific needs of each individual and family.

When she’s not in the office, Cam enjoys reading, traveling, weight-lifting, and immersing herself in music and films. She also values spending quality time with friends, family, and her cats.

  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor
  • Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling, Marist College
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, SUNY Geneseo
  • Member of the American Counseling Association (ACA)
  • Middletown Office
BIO

Brianna earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Siena College and her Master of Social Work degree from Adelphi University. Throughout her education and early career, she worked with at-risk adolescents experiencing trauma and maladaptive coping as both a clinician and crisis interventionist. She later spent several years in emergency services, specializing in trauma-informed care for adolescents and adults. Brianna has extensive experience working with individuals struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, mood dysregulation, self-esteem, and relationship challenges.

Brianna takes a strength-based, integrative approach to therapy, empowering clients to discover their own path toward healing and self-acceptance. She believes that while we cannot change the past, we can change our relationship with it. She is passionate about helping clients develop effective coping skills, reconnect with their inner resilience, and build lives that extend beyond surviving trauma.

Brianna believes healing is not only a journey of the mind, but a whole-body experience. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) and thoughtfully incorporates mind-body practices into therapy to support nervous system regulation, mindfulness, and emotional awareness. She is also certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), an evidence-based trauma treatment that helps clients process distressing experiences, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), offering a holistic approach for individuals seeking deeper healing from trauma, depression, anxiety, and other emotional challenges. By integrating traditional psychotherapy with somatic approaches and specialized trauma treatments, Brianna helps clients create lasting, meaningful change.

Above all, Brianna is dedicated to creating a safe, compassionate, and authentic therapeutic environment where clients feel seen, supported, and empowered to reconnect with their truest selves.

Brianna resides in Orange County with her two rescue huskies. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, spending time in nature, painting, practicing yoga, and cooking while surrounded by music, friends, and family.

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker, State of New York
  • Master’s of Social Work, Adelphi University
  • Master’s of Social Work, Adelphi University RYT-200
  • Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) Certified, Journey Clinical
  • Accelerated Resolution Therapy Trained, Rosenzweig Center for Rapid Recovery
  • Middletown Office
BIO

Ashley received her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from SUNY New Paltz. While attending her graduate program, Ashley worked as a supervisor at a Crisis Intervention Program and interned at an Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program, gaining valuable skills in crisis management and group therapy. Before joining Nourish Counseling, she spent several years working in a long-term outpatient care clinic specializing in children, adolescents and their families. Ashley has expertise in partnering with those suffering from depression, anxiety, trauma, family conflict, and personality disorders.

Ashley believes that each client is their own expert. She provides an integrative approach that focuses on both the thoughts and behaviors her clients may be struggling with in order to help them find balance and build resiliency. She works with clients in a person-centered and skill building approach to help determine and reach their own individual goals. Following a Dialectical Behavioral and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach, she encourages and supports clients to reach their full potential.

Ashley lives in Middletown, NY with her husband and a very loved dog. She enjoys family time, cooking, and trying new things whenever possible.

  • American Counseling Association
  • Middletown Office
BIO

Amanda is a Certified Clinicial Trauma Professional with a deep commitment to guiding clients through their healing and discovery. She believes that you are the expert of your own life, and she is dedicated to building a safe, collaborative space where you feel both validated and motivated for change. 

Amanda specializes in treating those with Complex Trauma, Grief and Loss, Anxiety and Depression, Chronic Illness, Infertility, Infant/Pregnancy Loss, Women’s Health and Neurodivergent Disorders. She works with individuals aged 5 and up. 

Amanda’s unique, holistic approach to psychothreapy is rooted in evidence-based practices and tailored to fit your specific clinical needs. She seamlessly integrates practices like mindfulness and meditation with powerful theraputic modalities, including Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Internal Family Systems Therapy. 

After gaining experience in Baltimore – including intensive work in Residential Foster Care and as a Medical Social Worker – Amanda has been settled back in her home, the Hudson Valley. She enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her husband and two young daughters. She has journeyed with cleints for nearly 5 years at Nourish and is now ready to partner with you!

  • Cornwall Office
  • Middletown Office