Answer this question to the best of your ability:
How does mindfulness-based therapy differ from traditional cognitive behavioral therapy in treating depression?
Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are both evidence-based treatments for depression, but they have distinct approaches. Here's a comparison of the two:

1. Core Focus : While CBT primarily focuses on identifying and correcting negative thought patterns and behaviors, MBT emphasizes non-judgmental awareness of thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations in the present moment.

2. Skills Taught : CBT teaches skills to challenge and restructure negative thoughts, as well as engage in behavioral activations to counteract depressive symptoms. In contrast, MBT teaches mindfulness practices, such as meditation and breathing exercises, to cultivate a non-judgmental awareness of internal experiences and reduce reactivity to negative emotions or thoughts.

3. Goals : Both therapies aim to help individuals develop coping strategies for managing depressive symptoms. However, CBT tends to focus on achieving specific, short-term goals related to changing maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors, while MBT encourages a more general cultivation of mindfulness as a way of being that can benefit mental health in the long term.

4. Home Practice : In CBT, clients are often assigned homework tasks that involve recording negative thoughts and challenging them using specific cognitive techniques. In MBT, clients practice mindfulness exercises daily, such as meditation or body scans, to develop a consistent mindfulness practice outside of therapy sessions.

5. Philosophical Foundations : CBT is grounded in the principles of empirical psychology and behaviorism, while MBT draws from Eastern contemplative practices and philosophy. This difference in foundational beliefs can influence the overall therapeutic approach and client experience in each type of therapy.