Part 1 Strategies
Mindfulness
What Does ‘Mindfulness’ Mean?
Paying Attention to the Present Moment
Non-judgement
Mindful Living
Mindfulness: How to Do It
An Introduction to Mindful Meditation
Mindful Meditation: Paying Attention, on Purpose
Mindful Meditation: Non- judgement of Emotions
The Case for Mindfulness versus I’m Already Too Busy
Mindfulness in the Veterinary Practice
Mindfulness and Management
Emotional Intelligence
The Five Competencies of Emotional Intelligence
Self- awareness
How Do I Become More Self- aware?
Self-regulation
Motivation
Empathy
Social Skills
Empathy
The Three Types of Empathy
Leadership and Empathy for Line Managers
The Evidence- based Case for Leadership: Empathic Concern versus Empathy Alone
Acceptance and Proactivity
How Do I Do It?
What’s Not Helpful
What Is Helpful
The Empathy–Profitability Link
Secular Buddhist Concepts
Basic Elements of Secular Buddhism
The Four Noble Truths
The Nature of Impermanence
Attachment
Positive Psychology
The Three Circles of Control
Reference
Part 2 How to Meditate
How to Meditate: Part 1
Introduction
Gain Control of Your Mind
Mindful Drinking
Mindful Breathing
Mindful Body Scan
Loving Kindness Meditation
Hand- on- Heart Meditation
How to Meditate: Part 2
Observe an Emotion
Anger
Anxiety
How to Meditate: Part 3
How to Meditate: Part 4
Opening Shutters Meditation
The Fortress
The Heavy Bucket
Climbing Up the Branches of a Tree
Conveyor Belt Meditation
Part 3 Difficulties and Applying Strategies
Anxiety
Fear of Failure
The Dalai Lama Advises
How Do I Stop Fearing Fear?
Disputing Irrational Beliefs and Doing Our Cognitive Homework
Change Your Language in Order to Change Your Thought Process
Exercises for Attacking Shame
Imagery and Role Play
Desensitisation
Loss of Confidence
Perfectionism
Imposter Syndrome
Feel Like a Fraud?
What Can I Do?
Recognise Your Expertise
Remember What You Do Well
Talk About It
Compassion Fatigue
What are the Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue?
How Do I Prevent or Recover from Compassion Fatigue?
References
Lack of Assertiveness
Empathy
Motivation
Social Media and Doom Surfing
How Do I Stop Doom Surfing?
References
Yearning, Striving and Wishing Things Were Different
‘Letting Go’ of Striving
What is Striving?
Blissful Happiness
Moral Injury
What Can We Do About Moral Injury?
Moral Courage
References
Identity
When Being a Veterinary Professional is Your Whole Identity
How Do You Know if Your Identity Has Become Enmeshed with Your Career?
Start Small
Bullying
Cancel Culture
How to Refrain from Punitive Actions
Conflict and Client Complaints
Team Dynamics
Team Dynamics and Difficult Colleagues
Team Dynamics and Helping Colleagues
Depression
Anger
What’s Normal?
Knowing How and When to Express Your Anger is a Skill Worth Developing
Sleep on It
Grief
How to Grieve Mindfully
Competitive Grief
Comparative Grief
The Emotional Burden of Error
Guilt 1
Fear 1
Isolation
Guilt
I Feel Guilty
What is Guilt?
Misuse of Guilt
Helpful Guilt
Misplaced Guilt
When Your World Falls Apart
References
Euthanasia and Suicide
References
Chronic Pain
References
Burnout
The Three Dimensions of Burnout
Emotional Exhaustion (Focus, Language and Posture)
Depersonalisation
Disconnection from Purpose
Summary of Strategies to Combat Burnout
Neuroplasticity and Reversing Burnout
The Evidence Base
Suicide, Burnout and Chronic Stress
Recognising Burnout
Mindfulness and Burnout
References
Management and Mindfulness
Mindfulness as an Evidence- based Tool to Prevent Stress, Burnout and Depersonalisation
How Do We Promote Mindfulness Training in Our Practices?
Reference
Suicide in the Veterinary Professions
The Perfect Storm in Vets
How Do We Increase Our Production of Oxytocin?
Understanding the Steps Towards Suicide
References
Part 4 Therapy 189
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy
Mindfulness- based Stress Reduction
Evidence Base for MBSR
Aims of MBSR
References
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cancer
Animal- assisted Therapies
Communication
Collaboration
Respect
References
Part 5 Case Studies
Introduction: The Counselling Process
Ann (A New Graduate Vet)
First Session
Acceptance
Second Session
Homework
Third Session
Summary
Ben (An Experienced Vet)
First Session
Second Session
Third Session
Summary
Darren (A Specialist Vet)
First Session
Second Session
Third Session
Summary
Claire (Head Nurse)
First Session
Second Session
Summary
Part 6 Positive Psychology
Gratitude
What Gratitude Isn’t
Grateful for Nothing
Reference
Kindness
Small Acts of Kindness
Random Acts of Kindness
References
Mindful Gift Giving and Receiving
How to Practise Mindful Gift Giving
Mindful Receiving of Gifts
Pride and Profitability
Self- focused Pride and Other- focused Pride
Positive Psychology
Enhancing Self- focused Pride
How Do I Notice the Mini- victories?
Enhancing Other-focused Pride
References
Stubborn Optimism
What Can I Do?
Resilience
Mindfulness and Resilience
Positive Emotion
Engagement
Relationships
Meaning
Accomplishments
References
Two Ways of Looking
How Mindfulness Can Improve Cardiac Health
References
Self- compassion versus Self- care
Mindfulness
Loving Kindness Towards Yourself
Hand-on-heart Meditation
A Sense of Common Humanity
Being Ready for Some Good News
Why We Tend to Ignore the Good Moments
Three Practices to Help Us Notice the Good News
The Use of Language
Internal Monologue
External Words to Self
External Words to Others
Exercise and Work–Life Balance
Mindful versus Mindless Exercise – Your Call
Lacking in Motivation? Find an Exercise You Actually Like
Reference
Learning from Our Pets
Lesson One – The Importance of a Good Routine
Lesson Two – Feel What I Need to Feel When I Need to Feel It
Lesson Three – How to Truly Be Present
Resolutions and Intentions and Mindfulness- based Eating Awareness Therapy
New Year Intentions
Postponing Mindfulness and Self- compassion
Index
