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Since Jon Kabat-Zinn developed the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program (MBSR) in the 1970s, mindfulness-based approaches have experienced significant growth in psychotherapy. This paper describes the main therapeutic applications of these approaches and the processes which can explain their clinical utility, particularly with regard to emotional regulation. It also discusses the results of empirical validation studies as well as the growing interest in meditation and mindfulness in neuroscientific research.