The Centre for Mindfulness Studies in Toronto provides mindfulness based therapies for anxiety, depression, depressive relapse prevention, healthy eating, ADHD, diabetes and stress reduction. The Centre is one of Canada’s leading providers of professional development in mindfulness based interventions. We offer one-day workshops as well as intensive professional training in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).

Our faculty includes physicians, psychologists, naturopathic doctors, social workers and other healthcare professionals.

 

Patricia Rockman MD CCFP FCFP is an associate professor with the University of Toronto, department of family and community medicine; cross appointed to psychiatry. She is the chair of the Ontario College of Family Physicians Collaborative Mental Health Care Network. She has a private practice in CBT and leads MBCT groups. She has been educating healthcare providers in stress reduction, CBT and mindfulness-based practices for over 20 years. She is the Director of Education at the Centre for Mindfulness Studies. www.lumino.ca

 

Zindel Segal PhD C.Psych is the Cameron Wilson chair in Depression Studies and a professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto, where he directs the CBT program at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health. He has studied and published on psychological treatments for depression for over 25 years. His most recent book, The Mindful Way Through Depression, advocates for the relevance of mindfulness-based clinical care in psychiatry and mental health.

 

Dr. Javed Alloo MD CCFP is a family physician with a community practice in Toronto. He has over a decade of experience working with people with anxiety, depression, and other chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Building on tools from CBT, he encourages bringing a mindful and compassionate approach to managing and living with these often long-term conditions.www.Dr.Alloo.ca

 

 

Arpita Biswas PhD C.Psych is a registered psychologist in private practice in Toronto. She has over two decades of clinical experience in the treatment of mental health issues including anxiety, depression and trauma. Her areas of expertise include CBT, Clinical Hypnosis, EMDR and Mindfulness-based interventions. She has obtained extensive training in mindfulness meditation and maintains a daily practice. Mindfulness is an integral part of her personal life and clinical work.www.arpitabiswas.com

 

Ana Bodnar PhD C.Psych. is a Clinical Psychologist and a Certified Yoga and Meditation teacher She uses mindfulness, cognitive behavioural, psychodynamic and other approaches to address difficulties such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, separation/divorce, eating disorders and chronic pain. She also teaches Buddhist Psychology & Mindfulness as well as Diversity in Counselling at the University of Toronto.www.anabodnar.com

 

Heidi BornsteinHeidi Bornstein is a yoga and meditation teacher. She is a certified instructor in Hatha Yoga, Yoga Science, and Yoga Ed. Heidi has trained as an MBSR teacher at MBSR Toronto, Jefferson University’s Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts. She has also received training in Mindfulness for Kids at Risk, Street Yoga for Kids at Risk and SMART-1: Stress Reduction and Resiliency for Educators.

 

Colleen CarneyDr. Colleen E. Carney PhD C. Psych. is an Associate Professor and Director of the Sleep and Depression Laboratory at Ryerson University. Dr. Carney is one of Canada’s leading experts in psychological treatments for insomnia, particularly in the context of co-occurring health issues. Dr. Carney has numerous publications on the topic of insomnia and depression, including the first self-help book for those with co-occurring conditions, Quiet Your Mind and Get to Sleep. She frequently trains students and health providers in CBT for Insomnia at invited workshops throughout North America.

 

Stephen ChadwickStephen Chadwick is an MBSR teacher who received his training at Jefferson University’s Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine. He received his certification as a Yoga Ed Instructor for High Schools, Working with Those At-Risk, Level II Curriculum Training of Mindful Schools, and has trained in SMART-1: Stress Reduction and Resiliency for Educators. Steve teaches for The Mindful Edge® –Stress Reduction and Life Strategies for Teens program. He has twenty-seven years experience as a teacher with the TDSB, specializing in working with children with special needs and ESL.

 

Evan Collins MD FRCPC trained in both family medicine and psychiatry and has always practiced both physical medicine and mental health. He has worked in areas as diverse as community mental health, geriatrics, sexual health, HIV medicine, cancer screening and health policy. He presently works at Hassle Free Clinic and the Toronto General Hospital, and is a clinical adjunct professor at the University of Toronto’s department of psychiatry. He has trained in MBCT and using other forms of mindfulness in medicine.

 

Bobby Esbin MD received his medical degree from the University of Toronto in 1984. He has extensive clinical experience treating anxiety, depression, substance abuse and addiction. He has a specialized interest and training in mindfulness-based therapy and its direct application to a variety of mental health conditions.

 

 

David Denis ND is a naturopathic doctor with a private practice in Toronto. He specializes in treating anxiety and depression using a combination of naturopathic modalities, cognitive behavioural therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions. He has extensive experience offering mindfulness-based cognitive therapy groups for anxiety and depression.www.toronto-naturopath.com

 

 

Marsha Feldt RD CDE is a registered dietician and a certified diabetes educator with over 15 years’ experience working in healthcare settings, specializing in diabetes and eating awareness. She is certified in the Craving Change program that explores in an interactive, experiential group setting the complexities of why we eat the way we eat. She is a member of The Centre for Mindful Eating and explores the application of mindfulness to help people with chronic illness live with greater ease and balance.

 

John Fleming PhD C. Psych. is a psychologist in private practice with more than 25 years’ experience treating eating issues. He has studied mindfulness meditation for eight years and has maintained a daily meditation practice for the past four years. For over 12 years, he has co-directed a research program investigating the connection between obesity and adult ADHD. He has also worked extensively assessing and treating adult ADHD. His therapeutic approach emphasizes compassion, acceptance, personal values, and developing coping skills.

 

Jackie Gardner-Nix MB.BS PhD MRCP (UK) is a Chronic Pain Consulting Physician, and an Assistant Professor, department of Anesthesia, University of Toronto. She founded the Mindfulness-Based Chronic Pain Management (MBCPM) program at St. Michael’s Hospital and teaches chronic pain skills for managing pain using mindfulness. MBCPM courses are also available to distant Ontario communities via telemedicine from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and St. Michael’s Hospital and added alumni courses. She is the author of The Mindfulness Solution to Pain.

 

Lisa Goodman MA Counselling Psychology is a psychotherapist in private practice with over 15 years’ experience working with adolescents and adults who struggle with mood, anxiety, and eating issues. She has considerable training in mindfulness and meditation, including MBCT and MB-EAT. For the past several years, she has been actively integrating mindfulness-based strategies into her clinical practice, as well as in her personal life.

 

 

Amanda Guthrie ND is a naturopathic doctor with a family practice in Toronto. She has a special interest in providing care for people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression and digestive health concerns. She focuses on providing natural treatments that blend scientific research with holistic healing including: mindfulness-based therapies, herbal medicine, nutrition, acupuncture and healthy lifestyle counselling. She has trained in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Positive Psychology. www.wholehealthtoronto.com

 

Darren Higgins MD FRCPC is a staff psychiatrist at Mount Sinai Hospital and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, a lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and has a private practice in adult psychiatry in Toronto. He leads MBCT groups at CAMH and integrates mindfulness and acceptance based approaches in his individual and group psychotherapy work.

 

 

Sherry Holt M.Ed Counselling Psychology is a private practice Psychotherapist who has dedicated her career to issues of emotional well-being for over twenty years. She is Past President of the Anxiety Disorders of Canada, and is a Clinical Member of the Canadian Psychological Association. Her interests have also led her to study mindfulness meditation from a variety of sources for the past 10 years, which she now incorporates into her clinical practice. www.sherryholt.ca

 

Ronit Jinich is an arts educator and yoga and meditation facilitator who works with Mindfulness Without Borders. Her academic background includes psychology, performing arts and Gestalt therapy. In 2008, Ronit completed the teacher training at The Yoga Workshop in Boulder, Colorado with Richard Freeman. In 2009, she completed a ten month “Buddhist Psychology and Clinical Practice” course led by Michael Stone. Ronit’s teaching focuses on bringing together body awareness, breathing and concentration practices.

 

Amy Hurley Psy.D. C. Psych. is a Clinical Psychologist working in private practice and for Wellspring Cancer Support network. She is a registered provider in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (UMass Center for Mindfulness), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Mindful Self-Compassion and Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention. She is a registered yoga instructor and an avid practitioner.

 

 

Kendra Kusturin MSW RSW is a social worker with a community practice in Toronto. She has worked for over 10 years providing trauma-focused counselling and advocacy to survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault both within Toronto and internationally. Over the past 5 years, mindfulness has become a cornerstone of both her personal and professional development. She has completed extensive training in the clinical applications of mindfulness meditation with an emphasis on MBCT.

 

Ginny McFarlane MD CCFP is a family physician practising group psychotherapy. She has taught psychotherapy courses to physicians through The General Practice Psychotherapy Association, The Scarborough Hospital, & The University of Toronto. She has primarily studied Gestalt Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness Based Interventions. She has been practising and studying Mindfulness for over a decade. Her practice is located in the Beach in Toronto. www.mindfulmood.com.

 

Anne Mahoney PhD R.Psych. F.CGPA. is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Her clinical practice focuses on shame-based disorders, integrating mindful awareness into her work. Previously, Anne served as the director of the Group Therapy Training Program in Calgary for 10 years. Currently, Anne consults with group-based treatment programs in Alberta & Nova Scotia where she provides training and clinical supervision for mental-health professionals

 

Gwen Morgan MA MSW RSW is a social worker and counsellor with over 22 years’ experience, specializing in patients living with diabetes and chronic illness. Gwen completed the nine-day practicum in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at the University of Massachusetts and the seven-day intensive professional training for MBSR in pain and chronic illness. She has trained in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT).

 

Ina Levytsky MFA is a visual artist and educator. She teaches yoga and art in the community and works with children, youth, adults and seniors. Freeing the impulse of creativity is a pursuit that runs through her teaching of both yoga and art. Ina holds an MFA from the University of Calgary, has completed the professional development program in education at Simon Fraser University and has trained as a yoga teacher at Kripalu Centre for Yoga and Health. www.opensourceyoga.weebly.com

 

M. Lee Freedman MD CM FRCP(C) is a child psychiatrist, and a mindfulness practitioner. She has over 29 years of clinical experience working with and learning from children, adolescents, parents and families with anxiety and stress-related conditions. Over the past several years, she has incorporated the teaching of mindful awareness practice to parents and children into her medical practice, and has taught mindful awareness training programs for stress reduction, mindful parenting workshops, and mindful photography workshops.

 

Sara Marlowe MSW RSW is a musician, clinical social worker, and university lecturer. She has been a meditator for many years and takes delight in sharing mindfulness with children, youth, and families. Sara is the author of the upcoming children’s book, No Ordinary Apple; A Story about Eating Mindfully, which has been described by Sharon Salzberg as “deliciously fun to read.” Sara can be found online at www.mindfulfamilies.ca

 

Allison McLay BA DCS has 25 years’ experience in psychological assessment and counselling. Areas of expertise include the assessment and treatment of learning disabilities and ADHD. She has worked in both private practice and the social service sector and currently works for the Disabilities and Personal Counselling at York University. Allison studies and practices mindfulness meditation for personal resilience and as a treatment modality. For the past five years, she has co-facilitated MBCT groups for anxiety/depression.

 

Elaine Orsini BA ECE OCT has 32 years’ teaching experience from daycare to University ESL. She has been practicing yoga and meditation since 1989 and works with Mindfulness Without Borders. Elaine studies and practices mindfulness meditation and connecting its application to faculty and high school students. She completed the intensive five-day Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy course under Dr. Zindel Segal and Dr. Pat Rockman.

 

Anne Shaw MSW is a clinical social worker and psychotherapist. She earned her MSW at the University of Toronto and has a certificate from the International Society of Bioenergetics Analysis. She has worked in hospitals and for 20 years at the Southdown Institute, a private mental health centre. Her areas of expertise include psychodynamic, bioenergetics and mindfulness psychotherapy. Over the past eight years, mindfulness has become an essential part of her personal life and clinical practice.

 

Pat SmithPat Smith is a family physician who works in the area of women’s reproductive health. She has had a meditation practice for over 10 years and is currently expanding her learning and teaching to include MBSR groups. She is particularly interested in the intersection between her Buddhist practice and MBSR.

 

 

Elaine Smookler B.Mus. has been meditating for 20 years. As a professional performer, writer and teacher she has used meditative practices as the subject of her work. She is the co-author of the upcoming book, Drop Dead, a comedic take on the details of death. She has contributed to a variety of publications and projects on the subject of mindfulness including Buddhadharma, The Medical Post, The Shambhala Sun, the Toronto Fringe Festival and the CBC. www.lumino.ca

 

Aidan Tierney has been teaching yoga for 9 years. He is the principal instructor and owner of QuietNorth, a company he founded to provide relaxation and yoga classes and retreats. Aidan is certified as Yoga Acharya, Master of Yoga by the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres and is part of the faculty for the Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Courses. Aidan recently trained in mind-body interventions at the Harvard Medical School department of continuing education. www.quietnorth.com

 

Char Wilkins MSW LCSW is a mindfulness-based psychotherapist certified in MBSR by the Centre for Mindfulness, Worcester, MA. She teaches MBCT Teacher Training Intensive and Mindful Eating/Conscious Living professional training programs and provides consultation in the use of mindfulness in professional settings. She has had a personal meditation practice since 1995 and is currently studying Qigong and Taijiquan. She serves on the Board of Directors for The Center for Mindful Eating.www.amindfulpath.com

 

Susan Woods MSW LICSW is a psychotherapist who holds a MBSR teaching certificate from the Center for Mindfulness, University of Massachusetts. Susan teaches professional training programs in MBCT, leads mindfulness-based professional training retreats and has presented on the clinical application of mindfulness at numerous conferences. She has been involved in MBCT clinical research projects and is on the advisory board of the Center for Clinical Mindfulness and Meditation. Susan has practiced yoga and meditation since 1981 and is a certified yoga instructor. www.slwoods.com