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Mindfulness in the Modern World

What is all the buzz about mindfulness? Many of us have heard about the importance of being mindful, but how many of us really know what it means? Before the 1970’s, mindfulness only existed in Eastern societies that practiced Buddhist meditation. It was not until an American professor, Jon Kabat-Zinn, introduced the idea to the West in 1979 that mindfulness began gaining traction as a healing modality. He defined mindfulness as “paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.”


Since the advent of mindfulness in the United States, there has been a wealth of empirical research that has come out in support of these interventions across age, ethnicity, and gender. Research has shown that mindfulness can effectively treat an array of psychological issues, including:


  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depressive disorders
  • Obsessive compulsive disorders
  • Panic disorder
  • Chronic pain
  • Substance use
  • Personality disorders
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder


Contrary to how the name sounds, mindfulness can actually help us decrease the fullness we often feel in our minds and allow us to engage more intimately with the present moment. Through bringing more mindfulness to our moment-to-moment experiences, we feel more connected to our authentic selves and increase feelings of wholeness, appreciation and joy. By engaging with feelings of gratitude and awe our experiences of depression and anxiety can lose power. There are a variety of formal mindfulness practices that are often beneficial to start with but once developed, mindfulness is a skill that can be applied informally to every aspect of your life. Here are a few formal mindfulness practices you can engage in:


  1. Mindfulness Meditation: Practice sitting upright with your back straight, shoulders relaxed, feet planted firmly on the ground (or cross legged), heart open in a dignified but relaxed way for several minutes. Let yourself just be and experience the stillness within you. Each time a thought, emotion and/or sensations arises, acknowledge it with acceptance and compassion and then bring your attention back to your breath.
     
  2. Mindful Walking: Find a place to walk where you feel safe and relaxed. As you walk, bring your attention to the body. With each step you take, notice your feet making contact with the ground. Take notice of any sensations in your body. Watch your limbs naturally coordinate to help you maintain balance. Notice the rhythm of your breath as you walk and how it coincides with your body movements.
     
  3. Mindful Eating: Find a small piece of food, such as a raisin, and focus mindfully on the raisin to where you are experiencing the fullness of each bite. Take notice of the texture, taste, smell, sound and other sensations of the food. If a thought arises, acknowledge and accept it, and bring yourself back to the food item (can work with any food).
     
  4. Yoga: As you begin to stretch a specific region in the body, you may begin to feel the resistance and discomfort in that area of the body. Through mindfulness, we can begin to make space for these feelings and sensations by acknowledging them with acceptance, patience and compassion. By acknowledging the resistance and discomfort and then returning our attention back to the breath, we come to realize that the pain in the body is not us and is merely passing through us as visitors do in a guest house.


Once formal mindfulness practices have been exercised and the muscle of mindfulness have begun to grow, then one can begin engaging in informal practices of mindfulness, such as:


  • Washing Dishes: As you begin to wash the dishes, take notice of the sensations in your hands as you make contact with the warm water, soap, and dishes. Slow the rate of washing down to where you can be fully present with each item that is being washed.


  • Observing Nature: As you go out into nature, take notice of all that is around you. Slow down and let yourself gaze on the different shapes and colors of the trees, plants, animals, and landscape. Listen to the sounds of the birds chirp and the rustling of the leaves as you walk by.


  • Showering: As you step into the shower, feel the sensations in your body as the warm water makes contact with your skin. Listen to the sounds of the warm water spraying all around you. Observe and accept any thoughts and feelings as they arise and return yourself back to the present moment experience of taking a shower.


  • Parenting: Take a moment to pause when you are with your child and bring your full presence and attention to the moment-to-moment interactions you are having with them. Mindfulness has the ability to increase our parenting skills, which in turn positively impacts our children and the relationship we have with them.


Mindfulness is not a technique to learn but a way of living to adopt. All of us have the capacity to cultivate mindfulness and similar to muscles, each time we exercise our attention by bringing it back to the present moment, the muscles of mindfulness grow. At the Center for Psychological Growth and Wellness, there are a host of practitioners who have been professionally trained in mindfulness-based exercises and are ready to support you with leading a more mindful lifestyle. Located in the heart of Plantation, Florida and servicing Broward County and Florida communities including Davie, Sunrise, Cooper City, Weston, and Fort Lauderdale.


Power of Real Relationships:Face-to-Face Human Connection Matters

By Lisa Saponaro Personal • February 4, 2025
In today’s digital world, where AI interactions are becoming more commonplace and misinformation spreads rapidly, the value of genuine, in-person relationships cannot be overstated. As a psychologist practicing in my hometown of Plantation. I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of real human connection in therapy and everyday life. The Role of Trust in Mental Health Trust is the foundation of any meaningful relationship, especially in individual counseling and therapy. Without trust, vulnerability becomes nearly impossible, and true healing remains out of reach. In a time when digital interactions often lack authenticity, face-to-face human contact provides certainty and grounding. Research has shown that the therapeutic alliance—a term used to describe the relationship between a therapist and client—is one of the strongest predictors of positive therapy outcomes. The presence of a trusted individual can help regulate emotions, foster self-exploration, and ultimately lead to profound personal growth. How Human Connection Alleviates Anxiety and Depression Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression thrive in isolation. While virtual communication and AI-driven therapy tools can offer convenience, they lack the warmth, empathy, and nonverbal cues that in-person interactions provide. Studies have demonstrated that physical presence, eye contact, and even subtle social gestures like a reassuring nod or a compassionate smile activate brain regions associated with emotional regulation and stress reduction. For those struggling with mental health challenges, seeking support from a professional therapist in Plantation, Broward County, or anywhere in South Florida can be a life-changing decision. In-person therapy fosters a deeper sense of connection, allowing individuals to feel truly heard and understood in a way that digital platforms cannot fully replicate. Certainty in an Uncertain World In a world where false narratives can easily spread and AI-generated interactions blur the lines between reality and fiction, face-to-face contact serves as a powerful anchor. Human relationships built on trust and emotional presence provide clarity and reassurance. Real relationships cultivate empathy, strengthen resilience, and offer a safe space to explore vulnerabilities without fear of judgment. The Benefits of Having a Therapist: Scientific Support A growing body of research underscores the effectiveness of therapy in treating a variety of mental health conditions. These include: Depression, Anxiety, Grief, Trauma, and many of life’s challenges. A meta-analysis published in JAMA Psychiatry found that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is highly effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Additionally, research from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) indicates that therapy leads to significant improvements in emotional regulation, resilience, and overall well-being. Here at the Center for Psychological Growth and Wellness, we are oriented towards optimal wellbeing rather than limiting our scope to symptom and problem based goals. As a clinical psychologist, I have come to appreciate that the real value of a therapeutic relationship is not just having someone to help us alleviate our pains but more importantly having someone to help us optimize our gains. A study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology further confirms that individuals who engage in therapy report higher levels of life satisfaction and emotional stability compared to those who do not seek professional help. Seeking Help: A Step Toward Healing If you or someone you love is experiencing emotional distress, consider seeking therapy with a licensed psychologist. Whether you reside in Plantation, Broward County, or another part of South Florida, in-person therapy provides a space to build trust, explore vulnerabilities, and develop healthier coping strategies. At the end of the day, nothing can replace the depth and authenticity of real human connection. In an era where AI and digital interactions are prevalent, let’s not forget the profound impact of a meaningful conversation, a comforting presence, and the power of being truly seen and heard. At the Center for Psychological Growth and Wellness, We Nourish ~ You Flourish! Lisa Saponaro, Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist Planting the seeds for personal growth www.Lsaponaro.com 954-577-0095 (office) 954-560-9567 (cell)

Reunification Therapy

By Lisa Saponaro Personal • June 22, 2023
Nurturing Healing and Reconnection at the Center for Psychological Growth and Wellness with Lisa Saponaro, Ph.D.

Collaborative Divorce

March 3, 2022
Collaborative divorce provides a more cooperative alternative to traditionally litigated divorces and places the solutions and agreements in the hands of the involved parties. Unlike the pro se divorce, where each party represents themselves, in the collaborative divorce each party has their own attorney and both attorneys are committed to facilitating a working agreement. This provides partners the comfort of knowing their legal interests are represented while also feeling secure that the ultimate decisions belong to the family not the court . Unlike mediation, the collaborative professionals are committed to a collaborative result and are forbidden from participating in court proceedings in the event the collaborative process is terminated or unsuccessful. However, like mediation, the collaborative process facilitates empowerment of the family members, unique solutions, and is a less expensive route to divorce than litigation . The ideal resolution supports a caring, loving, and supportive relationship between children and their parents. While it is typical that no party gets everything they want, in a collaborative divorce, all parties can leave confident they will only sign an agreement they find acceptable. The collaborative process focuses on identifying common grounds and clarifying values to ensure decisions are made with your long-term goals in mind. Collaborative divorce requires that all parties participate in an honest, good faith manner with the ultimate wellbeing of all members of the family in mind . The collaborative process often involves the use of a collaborative divorce Coach or Facilitator. As a mental health professional, trained in mediation, Lisa Saponaro, Ph.D. participates in the collaborative process as a Divorce Coach. The Divorce Facilitator is skilled at recognizing anxiety, depression, and other emotional factors that often get in the way of resolutions. Additionally, the coach is trained in communication strategies and mediation to support the collaborative process. In the role of Divorce Coach, Dr. Saponaro serves to clarify and identify the parties’ interests and goals, reduce misunderstandings, help develop viable co-parenting plans, and facilitate the family’s transition through the process. Collaborative Divorce may be particularly advantageous to families with children as results are less likely to be relitigated in the future . It is associated with overall lower levels of conflict between the parents, which we know is most beneficial for the kids. Collaborative Divorce is a process designed with the best interests of the children and helps ensure their needs are kept in mind. In addition to the role of divorce coach, mental health professionals often serve in the role of Child Specialist in the collaborative process. The Child Specialist, who is a neutral mental health professional, is trained in child development and family systems as it specifically pertains to divorce and adjustment. This professional may meet with the children separately to gain a better understanding of their needs and wishes to promote their voice and support them during the divorce. Dr. Lisa Saponaro is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been practicing in South Florida for the past 20 years. Throughout her career, Dr. Saponaro has consistently worked with children and families. In her private practice, the Center for Psychological Growth and Wellness, located in Plantation, Florida, she offers diagnostics and assessment services for children and adults. Dr. Saponaro is experienced in treatment of Anxiety, Depression, Autism, PTSD, grief, addictions, and a variety of mood and behavioral problems. Dr. Saponaro has been recognized by the Broward County Courts as an expert in child matters as it pertains to divorce and has worked with other divorce professionals, such as attorneys, parenting coordinators, reunification specialists, Guardian Ad Litems, financial professionals, and others to help ensure families have well rounded care and children’s needs are paramount. After decades of working with families from a collaborative approach, Dr. Saponaro has joined the International Association of Collaborative Professionals and the South Florida Collaborative Professionals and is now practicing as a Collaboratively Trained Divorce Professional in the role of Divorce Coach and Child Specialist. Call 954-577-0095 or email Drsaponaro@gmail.com for more information on how to set up a consultation today.
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