Introduction: Mindfulness means being aware of your own feelings in the present moment and openly accepting them as they are. Practicing mindfulness has many positive effects on physical and mental health. In medicine, mindfulness is used as a way of treatment. In occupational therapy it is used to treat patients in formal (constructed programs) and nonformal ways (meditation, yoga, practising mindfulness during daily activities). Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the recognition and use of mindfulness in occupational therapy in Slovenia. We also wanted to explore in which domains mindfulness is used in occupational therapy and the ways in which occupational therapist in Slovenia use mindfulness within their treatment. We also wanted to explore the relationship between the domains of practice, time of working as an occupational therapist, use and recognition of mindfulness. Methods: We used an internet questionnaire, which was sent to occupational therapists in Slovenia. The questionnaire consisted of two demographic questions, questions about recognition and use of mindfulness in occupational therapy. Results: 88 Slovenian occupational therapists have taken part in our study. Results have showed that Slovenian occupational therapists have heard of mindfulness, but the meaning of it is not well known. Occupational therapist in the mental health domain are the surest they know the meaning of mindfulness. Most of the participants in our study do not use mindfulness in therapy. It is most used in the mental health domain of occupational therapy. The participants that do use mindfulness in therapy, use it in nonformal ways, before and during activities. Discussion and conclusion: Although mindfulness is useful and important at treating patients it is poorly used by the occupational therapists that participated in this study. Not knowing the correct definition, meaning of mindfulness and the lack of education on this topic could be the reason for not using it in therapy. We would recommend giving Slovenian occupational therapists educational courses on mindfulness, as that could give more added value to therapy.
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