If you've dabbled in Buddhism, (or even more generically Mindfulness) you might know that there are many numbered lists of concepts. The most fundamental of them of all is the list of the 4-Noble Truths. Of course, the Buddhist list doesn't talk about psychotherapy, or use the term "mental health", but at its core, that's what it's all about. This short piece covers the 4 Noble Truths, and how we might understand them in psychotherapy.

1. The Truth of Suffering

The truth of suffering is a simple recognition that all humans suffer from painful and undesirable mental states at times. This is normal, and this is why we might seek psychotherapy. To get help for one's mental health is to accept and embrace the truth of this situation, and to take solace in its universality together with the therapist. That is the first task of any course of therapy.

2. The Truth of the Cause of Suffering

The truth of the cause of suffering is a statement naming the primary causes of painful states: namely, our reflective habits of reactivity that we acquired in the past (i..e. karma in Buddhism, attachment failures in psychology). This involves constantly craving and seeking what we like, while fleeing from and pushing away what we don't like. In psychotherapy terms, this often means always seeking out "positive" feelings, while repressing the "negative" ones. The second task of effective psychotherapy is to get clear on these causes.

3. Truth of the End of Suffering

The truth of the end of suffering is a hopeful statement about the possibility to end the vicious cycle of suffering. In psychotherapy, we work together to build a working alliance, and to develop the motivation to face the causes and forces that drive our painful states.

4. The Truth of The Path that Leads to the End of Suffering

The truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering in Buddhism actually points to another list! (The 8-Fold Path). This is perhaps where psychotherapy diverges from Buddhism the most. The 8-Fold Path is a list of precepts or guidelines for living a wise and wholesome life.

In psychotherapy, The Path is some approach to therapeutic change: Maybe it's ISTDP, IFS, Coherence Therapy, CBT, DBT, etc. It's a roadmap for moving towards a life of reduced suffering. No matter what type of roadmap you're using, it's more than just "a talk", it's a "walk to walk" alongside your therapist.

No matter where you are in your mental health journey, The 4-Noble Truths can be a helpful checklist.