Therapeutic presence: A view through contemplative practices

Abstract

While mindfulness has garnered significant research attention, other contemplative practices remain underexplored but promising for addressing various challenges, including the development of essential professional skills for psychotherapists. This paper reviews research on psychotherapy effectiveness factors, describes models of therapeutic presence, and examines contemplative practices as tools for actualizing key nonspecific factors. Additionally, it explores known mechanisms by which contemplative practices enhance therapeutic presence.