In society today, we are constantly presented with new information and options, but we have been taught to not question what we are told. To be mindful allows us to see things more clearly and gives the opportunity for people and situations to be real. In her book, Mindfulness, Ellen Langer tells us that there are three facets to understanding mindlessness: “entrapment by category” (Langer, 1989, p.11), “automatic behavior” (Langer, 1989, p.12), and “acting from a single perspective” (Langer, 1989, p.16). The first facet, entrapment by category, occurs when we use categories “to make a picture of the world, and of ourselves” (Langer, 1989, p.11). We use these categories rigidly to define those around us and mindlessly process our experiences.…show more content… However, I have spent multiple days shadowing a very busy therapist who sometimes struggles to remain mindful. I first noticed the disconnect as I watched the therapist approach each child to begin their session. Regardless of the child’s age, personality, or the cues given off by their body language, the therapist would excitedly bound into the waiting room full of energy, talking fast and loud. For many children this engaging and vibrant personality would be perfect. For other children this behavior is counterproductive. For four children this behavior seemed counterproductive and they each appeared overwhelmed in the first few minutes of contact. Three of these children spent the first half of the session reserved, before they became comfortable with the therapist again and engaged in an activity. One younger child refused to leave his mother’s lap or play with the therapist for the rest of the…show more content… Sometimes the therapist would gauge their behavior correctly and other times their excitement would cause the child to shut down. This week, in a feeding session with a 4th grade boy, the therapist was once again unable to read the child’s arousal level. When asked to open his lunchbox, the little boy became visibly uncomfortable and began to use avoidance tactics like making excuses and sitting on his lunchbox. Rather than acknowledge the child’s anxiety, the therapist pressed on with their encouragement to open the box. The child became so dysregulated that he was unable to sit or focus, and his eyes had started to grow red and show signs of impending tears. In the moment it can be hard to adjust your response to behavior or your treatment plans for the session. At the same time, I believe that being mindful of how the child in front of you is acting can also have a huge impact on the success of a
