Mindfulness is the practice of learning how to pay attention to the present moment in a non-judgmental manner. The challenge however, is that we are hard-wired as human beings to be judgmental and to react on instinct to things that we experience, like being immediately enraged when we are cut off in traffic. When we are not thoughtful, we operate on auto-pilot and default into reacting very quickly to triggers that we have conditioned ourselves to become instantly responsive to over the years, which more often than not, leads us into a state of stress. By slowing down, however, and creating some space and distance between the moment and our reaction to it, we can use our personal wisdom to thoughtfully draw upon our mindfulness to respond more objectively, creatively and beneficially in the present and reduce our stress accordingly.

Through the practice of mindfulness-based therapies, we can train ourselves to become aware of our reactions throughout the day – those thought, spoken and acted out – leading to greater choice and control over how things make us feel. We can learn how to anticipate conflict with certain people and events and tune into our thoughts, emotions and physical reactions, realizing that a gut reaction may not be helpful at all. Being aware of triggers, anticipating conflict and thoughtfully preparing our next move – instead of just accelerating  right away into what may be a conflict response – is fundamental towards reducing our stress and living a more peaceful and healthy life. 

Our modern lives are full of challenges, inconveniences, deadlines, commitments, disappointments, expectations of others, and a myriad of both garden variety and exotic frustrations. Stress, in proper measure and balance, is necessary, of course. It can either drive us to advance or caution us to retreat, enabling us to perform and excel or protecting us and giving us pause when danger is present. However, stress can also come to inappropriately dominate our lives if allowed to run unchecked and can contribute to a dangerous imbalance in our personal well-being and those around us. 

MBSR is an approach to self-care that is modelled on the program developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusets Medical Center in 1979. The course consists of eight weekly classes and a one day-long class. Through learning skills to learn how to be in the present moment, Mindfulness offers us the opportunity to face the challenges of life in a different way. In the course you will learn how to engage in guided meditation as well as gentle movement. You will be provided with recordings of the meditations as well as weekly handouts.
 

MBCT is an innovative approach to cognitive therapy that incorporates mindfulness techniques. CBT teaches skills to identify and challenge the underlying negative beliefs that contribute to anxiety and depression. Mindfulness complements CBT through the development of an accepting attitude towards life experiences. The program was originally developed by Zindel Segal, Mark Williams and John Teasdale for people with a history of reoccurring depression. MBCT has been clinically proven to be at least as effective as drugs for treating depression and provides equivalent protection against depressive relapse. Research has shown that MBCT can also benefit people suffering from anxiety and other emotional problems. The program consists of an Orientation session, eight weekly sessions and one all-day session.

Relapse Prevention is a therapy that teaches risk awareness and coping skills to help individuals anticipate and deal more effectively with set-backs they may experience as they work to establish a more mindful, positive and purposeful lifestyle. Individuals are also taught to realize that set-backs can be compartmentalized and do not have to result in an abandonment of the new pathways they have embarked upon, and a default return to past negative behaviors. 

MBRP is an eight-week treatment approach developed at the University of Washington for individuals in recovery from addictive behaviours. MBRP offers an evidence-based alternative to standard-of-care 12 step-based or related aftercare programs for addictions. The Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention program incorporates mindfulness practices and principles with cognitive behaviour therapy (much like the MBCT program) with a focus on relapse prevention. MBRP teaches participants how to observe cravings and urges to use and helps them identify potential triggers for relapse while developing a more healthy and balance lifestyle.

This program is suitable for individuals who are dealing with addictive behaviours including substance misuse, gambling, eating, self-harm, as well as reactive behaviours.

Mindfulness is the practice of learning how to pay attention to the present moment in a non-judgmental manner, with a sense of trust, compassion, letting go, allowance, patience and acceptance. This means developing objectivity about what is happening in the present and slowing down to thoughtfully choose how it is we react to people, places and events, instead of defaulting to knee-jerk or gut responses that can be stressful and unhealthy overall.

Psychotherapy is the structured, clinical process through which individuals can dialogue with a qualified therapist to better understand recurrent negative thought patterns and behaviors and to learn strategies and techniques to move beyond the underlying issues that may be holding them back from leading more conscious, directed, happy, and productive lives. Conducted in a safe, confidential and completely non-judgmental setting, psychotherapy in all its applications can work to bring a greater a sense of confidence, choice and satisfaction over how one thinks, acts and interacts in the world around them.

My Mindfulness and Psychotherapy practice is dedicated to dovetailing mindfulness techniques into all the different therapies I offer, towards helping individuals recognize and change undesirable thought processes and behaviors, restore optimal mind and body balance, and realize a greater sense of well-being, purpose, joy and fulfillment in their lives.