MSC TTI in Ontario (SOLD OUT)
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Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is an empirically-supported 8-week program designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. Based on pioneering research by Kristin Neff and integrated with the clinical perspective of Christopher Germer, MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult emotions with care and understanding.
The three key components of self-compassion are self-kindness, a sense of common humanity, and balanced, mindful awareness. Kindness opens our hearts to suffering, so we can give ourselves what we need. Common humanity opens us to others, so that we know we aren’t alone. Mindfulness opens us to the present moment, so we can accept our experience with greater ease. Together they comprise a state of warmhearted, connected, presence during difficult moments in our lives.
Self-compassion can be learned by anyone, even those who didn’t receive enough affection in childhood or who feel uncomfortable when they are good to themselves. It’s a courageous attitude that stands up to harm, including the harm that we inflict on ourselves through self-criticism, self-denial, or self-absorption. Self-compassion provides emotional strength and resilience, allowing us to admit our shortcomings, forgive ourselves, motivate ourselves with kindness, care for others, and be fully human.
Rapidly expanding research clearly demonstrates that self-compassion is related to emotional wellbeing, lower anxiety and depression, maintenance of healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and more satisfying personal relationships.
MSC Teacher Training
The MSC program has been in development since 2009, and a MSC training manual is scheduled for publication in 2017 (Guilford Press). The UCSD Center for Mindfulness will coordinate MSC teacher training in the USA, in collaboration with the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. The Centre for Mindfulness Studies will coordinate MSC teacher training in Canada, in collaboration with the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion.
MSC Teacher Training is an intensive, 6-day, residential program facilitated by a team of senior MSC teachers. The training is built around the eight weekly sessions of MSC with each half day dedicated to a condensed, experiential review of one of the sessions, followed by small group activities designed to give attendees opportunities to practice teaching, guiding and facilitating discussion in that session with the close consultation of one of the Teacher Trainers. In addition, the training includes short talks, group exercises, discussion, and periods of silence. Participants will be provided with the essential materials to teach MSC programs.
Please see MSC Certification Pathway on the UCSD website to learn more.
Participants Will Learn To
- Deepen their personal practice of responding to difficult emotions with mindfulness and compassion
- Summarize current basic theory and research on self-compassion
- Identify the core themes and be able to implement practices presented in each of the eight group sessions of MSC, plus the retreat day
- Develop the skills necessary to facilitate MSC groups, including how to guide meditation, teach from each participant’s direct experience, and facilitate group cohesion
- Apply advanced mindful self-compassion principles and practices in teaching patients, students, or clients
- Engage in real-time interactive sessions to demonstrate teaching skills and receive feedback and assessment from instructors
- Identify obstacles to mindful self-compassion practice and strategies for overcoming them
- Embody a mindful and compassionate stance toward students of the MSC program as they confront challenges to their practice
Who Should Attend
This 6-day intensive is intended for those who wish to teach the MSC program, those who would like to integrate mindfulness and self-compassion in their ongoing professional activities (i.e., psychotherapy, coaching, nursing, teaching, etc.), and individuals who have a professional interest in the field (i.e., researchers, administrators, etc.).
Prerequisites
- Established daily mindfulness practice of at least two years.
- Ongoing, daily, sitting meditation practice
- Ongoing practice of loving-kindness and self-compassion in daily life
- Attendance in at least one 5-day silent teacher-led residential meditation retreat of any kind, at a location of your choosing.
- Experience teaching meditation in groups, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, or in clinical settings
- Previous participation in a Mindful Self-Compassion personal program (8-week or 5-day Intensive) at least 6 months beforehand. Two-day Core Skills Workshops, Online MSC and shorter workshops do not satisfy this requirement.
What To Expect
Our ability to teach others depends largely on discovering the power of self-compassion in our own lives and embodying the practice. Since the core principles and practices of the MSC program are taught through experiential learning, participants are encouraged to focus on their felt experience during teacher training. Ample time will also be allocated for professional dialogue and the nuts and bolts of teaching.
The MSC program is a journey—an adventure in self-discovery and self-kindness. Loving-kindness and self-compassion training helps us soothe and comfort ourselves as it paradoxically reveals emotional distress we may have been unconsciously holding inside, often for many years. Therefore, some difficult emotions are likely to surface as we grow in our capacity to embrace them. This is intrinsic to the process of emotional transformation through self-compassion.
Self-compassion thrives in an environment of safety, support, privacy, individual responsibility, and a common commitment to presence and compassion. Self-compassion practice should also be easy and enjoyable. The teacher trainers are dedicated to creating such a learning atmosphere for all workshop participants and their future students.
Required Reading
Before applying to the MSC Teacher Training: On Becoming a MSC Teacher: A Mountaineer’s Guide to Building the Resource of Mindful Self-Compassion by Christine Braehler, Steven D. Hickman, and Christopher Germer
Before participating in the MSC Teacher Training: The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength and Thrive by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer
Highly Recommended Reading
Before participating in the MSC Teacher Training: Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff
Before participating in the MSC Teacher Training: The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions by Christopher Germer
Apply Before Registering
If you have not already been approved to attend this MSC Teacher Training, but meet the above prerequisites, please apply now. Once you are approved to attend, you will receive the registration link via email along with your notice of acceptance. If you have been approved but did not receive the URL, please contact us.
Timing
September 22-28, 2019
Sunday Check-In: 4pm – 5pm
Saturday Departure: 1pm – 2pm
Location
St. Francis Centre
208501 Highway 9
Caledon, ON L7K 0A8
Google Map
Fees
Early-Bird: $2,975 (until July 15th)
Regular: $3,175 (sold out)
Double Occupancy: $3,075
Please note that most rooms are single occupancy with an ensuite washroom.
AS OF JULY 31, 2019: all remaining rooms will be double occupancy (bunk beds) with an ensuite washroom.
As a registered charity, we do not charge HST. When you support us, you support our charitable initiatives. If you’d like to learn more, please see our Community Program.
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
Scholarships
Contact us to inquire about scholarship availability. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2019.
Free Online Info Session
Learn a little mindfulness
If you’re considering a mindfulness program, join us for a free information session!
For more details, visit our Mindfulness Info Session page
Timing
Wednesday, September 25, 2019 | 6pm – 6:30pm + Q&A
Fee: Free
MBSR in Guelph
Learn practical ways to manage stress
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is for individuals experiencing stress resulting from chronic physical and psychological conditions.
For more details, visit our MBSR page
Timing
Thursday Evenings
Intake Interviews (via telephone): Thursday, September 26th | 1pm – 4pm
Orientation & Session 1: September 26, 2019 | 6pm – 9pm
Sessions 2-8*: October 3 – November 28, 2019 | 6pm – 8:30pm
Silent Retreat: Sunday, November 24, 2019 | 11am – 3pm at Karma Yoga Studio
* program skips October 10th & October 31st
Registration closes Sunday, September 22, 2019
Location
Harcourt United Church
87 Dean Avenue
Guelph, ON
Fees
Early-Bird: $490 (until September 4th)
Regular: $550
Registration closes Sunday, September 22, 2019
Payment, Cancellation, Refund & Exchange Policies
To find out if your third-party insurance covers all or part of a therapeutic program, visit our About Insurance page.
CBT Mindfulness Primer Online
Enhance your understanding of MBCT by familiarizing yourself with the foundations of CBT
This the second module of our MBCT Facilitation Certificate Program.
For more details, visit our CBT Mindfulness Primer page.
Timing
Session 1: Thursday, September 26, 2019 | 9:30am – 12:30pm ET
Session 2: Friday, September 27, 2019 | 9:30am – 12:30pm ET
Online Format
Please note this will be a highly interactive web-based program. Your full attention and participation will be required.
For technical requirements, click here.
Fee: $350
Payment, cancellation & refund policies
MSC in Downtown Toronto
Learn to manage difficulty with more ease and kindness
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion to enhance our emotional well-being.
For more details, visit our MSC page.
Timing
Sunday Afternoons
Intake Interviews: September 28th & 29th (times TBD)
Sessions 1&2: October 6, 2019 | 9am – 12pm & 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Sessions 3-5*: October 20 – November 3, 2019 | 1pm – 4pm
Silent Retreat: November 10, 2019 | 1pm – 5pm
Sessions 6&7: November 17 & 24, 2019 | 1pm – 4pm
Session 8: December 1, 2019 | 1pm – 4:30pm
* program skips October 13th
Registration closes Thursday, September 26, 2019
Location
180 Sudbury Street
Toronto, ON M6J 0A8
Fees
Early-Bird: $595 (until September 4th)
Regular: $625
Registration closes Thursday, September 26, 2019
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
To find out if your third-party insurance covers all or part of a therapeutic program, visit our About Insurance page.
Mindfulness Booster in Downtown Toronto
Advance your mindfulness practice
Maintaining a mindfulness practice is difficult after a multi-week group program finishes. Mindfulness Booster helps you invigorate your mindfulness skills in 4 weekly sessions.
For more details, visit our Mindfulness Booster page.
Timing
Tuesday Evenings
Sessions 1-4: October 1* – October 22, 2019 | 6pm – 7:30pm
* participants are asked to arrive 15-20 minutes early on October 1st
Registration closes at 5pm on Friday, September 27, 2019
Location
180 Sudbury Street
Toronto, ON M6J 0A8
Fees
Early-Bird: $175 (until September 9th)
Regular: $205
Registration closes at 5pm on Friday, September 27, 2019
Payment, Cancellation, Refund & Exchange Policies
A valid OHIP card is required for this program and must be brought to the first session
To find out if your third-party insurance covers all or part of a therapeutic program, visit our About Insurance page.
Facilitator Allison McLay also works in a supervised practice and can provide an insurance receipt from her supervising clinical psychologist (C.Psych).
Teacher Training Info Session
Interested in teaching mindfulness?
If you’re considering enrolling in one of the Centre’s facilitation certificate programs, or if you’re just looking for a course or two that will help you understand the foundations and science of mindfulness, find out more by attending this free online information session.
Timing
Wednesday, October 2, 2019 | 6:30pm – 7pm ET + Q&A
Fee: Free
MBCT in Downtown Toronto
Learn to manage anxiety & prevent the relapse of depression
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an evidence-based group therapy for preventing depressive relapse. It also reduces acute depression, anxiety and stress.
For more details, visit our MBCT page.
Timing
Thursday Evenings
Orientation & Interview: October 3, 2019 | 6pm – 9pm
Sessions 1-8*: October 10 – December 5, 2019 | 6pm – 8:30pm
Silent Retreat: Sunday, November 24, 2019 | 10am – 4pm
* program skips October 31st
Location
180 Sudbury Street
Toronto, ON M6J 0A8
Fees
Early-Bird: $520 (until September 4th)
Regular: $550
Payment, Cancellation, Refund & Exchange Policies
A valid OHIP card is required for this program and must be brought to the Orientation & Interview session.
To find out if your third-party insurance covers all or part of a therapeutic program, visit our About Insurance page.
Inquiry Essentials in Montréal
Inquiry is the practice of asking a question to investigate our experience. It is at the heart of MBCT and MBSR.
This is the final course module of our MBCT & MBSR Facilitation Certificate Programs.
For more details, visit our Inquiry Essentials page.
Timing
Session 1: Friday, October 4, 2019 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Session 2: Saturday, October 5, 2019 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Location
MindSpace
1310 Greene Ave #500
Westmount, QC H3Z 2B2
Fees
Early-Bird: $645 (until September 3rd)
Regular: $695
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
The Dharma with a Twist: Silent Retreat
This retreat will explore the intersection between the Dharma (the ancient wisdom teachings of the Buddha) and mindfulness-based interventions (predominantly Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy or MBCT).
For more details, visit the Dharma with a Twist webpage.
Timing: October 7-11, 2019
Begins Monday, October 7, 2019
– check-in at 4pm
– dinner at 5:30pm
– session starts at 7pm
Ends Friday, October 11 2019
– session ends at 11:30am
– optional lunch at 12:30pm
Location
Ecology Retreat Centre
308046 Hockley Road
Mono, ON L9W 6N2
Early-Bird Fees (available until July 31, 2019)
$880 double occupancy
$1,180 single occupancy*
Regular Fees
$980 double occupancy
$1,280 single occupancy*
* Please note that only a limited number of single rooms will be available for immediate registration. Once these spots are sold out, you can register for a “double room – single waiting list” in case more single rooms become available. If you are offered a single room upgrade, you will be asked to pay the additional $300 online before the retreat.
Costs & Donation
The fee below covers the cost of room and board only. The teachers will not receive any payments from the organization. The facilitators, following the teachings on the practice of generosity of the ancient Buddhist tradition, will be offering their time and their facilitation skills to the retreatants. Participants are invited to consider this deeply and invited to consider making a donation on top of the fees in appreciation of the facilitator’s donated time and skills and to support them in their well-being and livelihood. There are opportunities to donate in person at the retreat or online here.
As a registered charity, we do not charge HST. When you support us, you support our charitable initiatives. If you’d like to learn more, please see our Community Program.
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
MBSR in Downtown Toronto
Learn practical ways to manage stress
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is for individuals experiencing stress resulting from chronic physical and psychological conditions.
For more details, visit our MBSR page
Timing
Monday Evenings
Orientation & Interview: October 7, 2019 | 6pm – 9pm
Sessions 1-8*: October 21 – December 9, 2019 | 6pm – 8:30pm
Silent Retreat: Saturday, November 30, 2019 | 10am – 4pm
* program skips October 14th
Location
180 Sudbury Street
Toronto, ON M6J 0A8
Fees
Early-Bird: $490 (until September 15th)
Regular: $550
Payment, Cancellation, Refund & Exchange Policies
A valid OHIP card is required for this program and must be brought to the Orientation & Interview session.
To find out if your third-party insurance covers all or part of a therapeutic program, visit our About Insurance page.
Facilitator Allison McLay also works in a supervised practice and can provide an insurance receipt from her supervising clinical psychologist (C.Psych).
Graduate Program in Mindfulness-Based Skills Development
Essential Skills for Mindfulness Meditation & Living a Mindful Life
Deepen and develop your practice of mindfulness in this 8-week program especially designed for graduates of MBCT, MBSR, or MSC. Whether you’ve found it challenging to maintain a daily practice since your initial program concluded or you are simply ready to take the next step toward mastering the core skills of mindfulness, this program will build on the foundations of what you have already learned and help you to integrate mindfulness into your life more fully and consistently. A signature focus of this program is on extending the discrete skills of mindfulness meditation as transferable skills, directly applicable into everyday life.
Who Should Attend
Past participants of mindfulness programs who would like to deepen their understanding and enhance their practice of mindfulness on and off the cushion.
You Will Learn To
- Increase skills for establishing mental stability and attention control
- How to identify and work with the common challenges every meditator faces
- Enhance practices for fostering emotional balance and resilience
- More ways to interrupt and replace unwanted habits
- Strengthen practices for nurturing self-compassion and kindness
- Deepen skills for becoming more present, accepting and willing
- New meditations for cultivating greater ease in mind and body
Timing
Thursday Evenings
Intake Interviews (via telephone): October 7th – 9th as required
Sessions 1-8*: October 10 – December 5, 2019 | 6:30pm – 9pm
Silent Retreat: Saturday, November 23, 2019 | 10am – 4pm
*program skips October 31st
Registration closes at 5pm on Friday, October 4, 2019
Location
180 Sudbury Street
Toronto, ON M6J 0A8
Fees
Early-Bird $520 (until September 18th)
Regular $550
Registration closes at 5pm on Friday, October 4, 2019
Payment, Cancellation, Refund & Exchange Policies
To find out if your third-party insurance covers all or part of a therapeutic program, visit our About Insurance page.
MBCT in Midtown Toronto
Learn to manage anxiety & prevent the relapse of depression
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an evidence-based group therapy for preventing depressive relapse. It also reduces acute depression, anxiety and stress.
For more details, visit our MBCT page.
Timing
Tuesday Mornings
Orientation & Interview: October 15, 2019 | 9:30am – 12:30pm
Sessions 1-8*: October 22 – December 17, 2019 | 10am – 12:30pm
Silent Retreat: Sunday, December 8, 2019 | 10am – 4pm at our main location (180 Sudbury Street)
* program skips November 12th
Location
Clairhurst Medical Centre
503 St. Clair Avenue West
Toronto, ON M6C 1A1
Fees
Early-Bird: $520 (until September 24th)
Regular: $550
Payment, Cancellation, Refund & Exchange Policies
A valid OHIP card is required for this program and must be brought to the Orientation & Interview session.
To find out if your third-party insurance covers all or part of a therapeutic program, visit our About Insurance page.
Facilitator Allison McLay also works in a supervised practice and can provide an insurance receipt from her supervising clinical psychologist (C.Psych).
MBCT Basics in Toronto
Explore the therapeutic benefits of MBCT while looking at its clinical applications
This is the first module of our MBCT Facilitation Certificate.
For more details, see our MBCT Basics page.
Timing
Session 1: Thursday, October 17, 2019 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Session 2: Friday, October 18, 2019 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Location
180 Sudbury Street
Toronto, ON M6J 0A8
Fee: $560
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
Half-Day Intro in Downtown Toronto
Discover the power and benefits of mindfulness from an experienced facilitator
This lively introductory session is a fun and engaging opportunity to learn mindfulness practices and skills.
For more details, visit our Mindfulness for Beginners page.
Timing
Sunday, October 20, 2019 | 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Location
180 Sudbury Street
Toronto, ON M6J 0A8
Fee: $85
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
MBCT Teacher Training Intensive in Ontario
Train to facilitate MBCT programs in an immersive atmosphere with senior MBCT trainers. This is the third module of our MBCT Facilitation Certificate Program.
Current treatments for depression provide relief for many people, yet they face significant challenges maintaining the benefits of treatment. This innovative 5-day intensive training and retreat will lead you through the program designed to prevent depressive relapse among people with a history of depression.
For full details, please see the MBCT TTI webpage.
Required Reading: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Second Edition by Zindel Segal, Mark Williams, John Teasdale
Timing: October 20-25, 2019
Begins Sunday, October 20, 2019
– Check-in at 4pm
– Dinner at 5:30pm
– Session starts at 7pm
Ends Friday, October 25, 2019
– Session ends at 11:30am
– Optional lunch at 12:30pm
Location
Ecology Retreat Centre
308046 Hockley Road
Mono, ON L9W 6N2
Fees
Early-Bird: CAD$2,500 double / CAD$3,000 single (until August 20th)
Regular: CAD$2,750 double / CAD$3,250 single
Please note as a charity, we do not charge tax on our fees.
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
Remember to apply before registering.
MSC in North Toronto
Learn to manage difficulty with more ease and kindness
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion to enhance our emotional well-being.
For more details, visit our MSC page.
Timing
Monday Evenings
Orientation & Interview: October 21, 2019 | 6pm – 9pm
Sessions 1-8: October 28 – December 16, 2019 | 6pm – 9pm
Silent Retreat: Saturday, November 30, 2019 | 1:30pm – 5:30pm
Location
OM Toronto
55 Spring Garden Avenue, Suite 200
Toronto, ON M2N 3G1
Fees
Early-Bird: $595 (until September 29th)
Regular: $625
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
To find out if your third-party insurance covers all or part of a therapeutic program, visit our About Insurance page.
MBSR Online
Learn practical ways to manage stress
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is for individuals experiencing stress resulting from chronic physical and psychological conditions.
For more details, visit our MBSR page
Timing
Monday Mornings
Intake Interviews (via telephone): Saturday, October 19th | 2pm – 4pm ET or Sunday, October 20th | 10am – 12pm ET
Orientation & Session 1: October 21, 2019 | 10am – 1pm ET
Sessions 2-8*: October 28 – December 16, 2019 | 10am – 12:30pm ET
Silent Retreat: December 2, 2019 | 1:30pm – 5:30pm ET
* program skips November 11th
Registration closes Monday, October 14, 2019
Online Format
Please note this will be a highly interactive web-based program. Your full attention and participation will be required.
For technical requirements, click here.
Fees
Early-Bird: $490 (until September 29th)
Regular: $550
Registration closes Monday, October 14, 2019
Payment, Cancellation, Refund & Exchange Policies
MBCT in Downtown Toronto
Learn to manage anxiety & prevent the relapse of depression
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an evidence-based group therapy for preventing depressive relapse. It also reduces acute depression, anxiety and stress.
For more details, visit our MBCT page.
Timing
Wednesday Evenings
Orientation & Interview: October 23, 2019 | 6pm – 9pm
Sessions 1-8: October 30 – December 18, 2019 | 6pm – 8:30pm
Silent Retreat: Saturday, December 7, 2019 | 10am – 4pm
Location
180 Sudbury Street
Toronto, ON M6J 0A8
Fees
Early-Bird: $520 (until October 1st)
Regular: $550
Payment, Cancellation, Refund & Exchange Policies
A valid OHIP card is required for this program and must be brought to the Orientation & Interview session.
To find out if your third-party insurance covers all or part of a therapeutic program, visit our About Insurance page.
MBCT in East Toronto
Learn to manage anxiety & prevent the relapse of depression
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an evidence-based group therapy for preventing depressive relapse. It also reduces acute depression, anxiety and stress.
For more details, visit our MBCT page.
Timing
Thursday Afternoons
Intake Interviews (via telephone): Tuesday, October 29th | 2pm – 4pm or Wednesday, October 30th | 6pm – 8pm
Orientation & Session 1: October 31, 2019 | 1pm – 4pm
Sessions 2-8: November 7 – December 19, 2019 | 1pm – 3:30pm
Silent Retreat: Sunday, December 8, 2019 | 10am – 4pm at our main location (180 Sudbury Street)
Location
Beach United Church
140 Wineva Avenue
Toronto, ON M4E 2T4
Fees
Early-Bird: $520 (until October 9th)
Regular: $550
Payment, Cancellation, Refund & Exchange Policies
To find out if your third-party insurance covers all or part of a therapeutic program, visit our About Insurance page.
Advanced Teacher Training Intensive in Downtown Toronto
Deepen your facilitation and mindful inquiry skills. This teacher training intensive is the final module of our Advanced Certification.
This 4-day Advanced Teacher Training Intensive (ATTI) is for MBSR, MBCT and other MBP teachers interested in supporting and strengthening their teaching skills. It satisfies the certification requirements for the certificate program at the Centre for Mindfulness Studies but is also for those mindfulness-based teachers who have taught at least two MBSR/MBCT programs or other mindfulness-based program. All participants will have attended silent teacher-led meditation retreats and have a personal practice.
Participants practise teaching and inquiry, receiving extensive feedback, making this training highly experiential. In addition, the language in guidance and inquiry is emphasized. The enhancement of the teacher’s self-reflective capacity is stressed to ensure they stay close to the core of these mindfulness-based programs – working with their own reactivity and attachment to outcome when this arises in their teaching. Exercises that address a range of emotions and reactions related to their personal and professional teaching experience and to the MBSR/MBCT experience are provided. We will also address professional and personal ethics as they relate to mindfulness based programs.
This course will be led by Susan L. Woods and Dr. Patricia Rockman. Susan Woods is a senior Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction/Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBSR/MBCT) advisor and supervisor, and one of the world’s leading experts and trainers in mindful inquiry. Dr. Patricia Rockman is the Director of Education and Clinical Studies here at The Centre, and has been educating healthcare providers in stress reduction, CBT and mindfulness-based practices for over 20 years. They are both authors of the book: “Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Embodied Presence and Inquiry in Practice” along with Dr. Evan Collins.
Participants Will Learn
- To enhance facilitation skills and delivery of inquiry and the mindfulness meditation practices through teach-backs, coaching and feedback
- To learn guidance and inquiry as an embodied practice informed by the attitudinal foundations
- To understand the reasons for maintaining fidelity to MBCT/MBSR protocols related to patient/client outcomes and research
- To develop adult education skills for individual and group process and experiential learning
- To be able to apply Buddhist concepts to MBSR and MBCT delivery and inquiry (e.g. the 4 noble truths, the 4 foundations, 3 characteristics)
Who Should Attend
Mindfulness-Based Program (MBP) facilitators who meet the following prerequisites:
○ Advanced degree
○ Have taught at least 2 MBSR/MBCT programs or other mindfulness-based program
○ Personal mindfulness practice
○ Have attended silent teacher-led meditation retreat(s) of at least 5 days
Location
180 Sudbury Street
Toronto, ON M6J 0A8
Timing
4-day training: Sunday – Wednesday
November 3-6, 2019 | 8:30am – 4:30pm
Fees
Early-Bird: $1,595 (until September 3rd)
Regular: $1,795
Payment, Cancellation, Refund & Exchange Policies
As a registered charity, we do not charge HST. When you support us, you support our charitable initiatives. If you’d like to learn more, please see our Community Program.
Mindfulness Core Concepts Online
Learn about the research and application of mindfulness
This is the first module of our MBSR Facilitation Certificate Program.
For more details, see our Mindfulness Core Concepts page.
Timing
Session 1: November 6, 2019 | 12:30pm – 2:30pm ET
Session 2: November 7, 2019 | 12:30pm – 2:30pm ET
Session 3: November 8, 2019 | 12:30pm – 2:30pm ET
Online Format
Please note this will be a highly interactive web-based program. Your full attention and participation will be required.
For technical requirements, click here.
Fee: $350
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
MBSR TTI in Ontario (SOLD OUT)
To add your name to the waiting list, please click here. Consider registering for our 2020 MBSR TTI in BC.
Train to facilitate MBSR programs with Susan Woods. This is the second module of our MBSR Facilitation Certificate Program.
This 6-day training intensive will provide participants with the opportunity to study and experience the foundational underpinnings, mindfulness practices and specific exercises that are the framework of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. The themes, rationales, intention and practice skills of each MBSR session will be reviewed and practised. For full details, please see the MBSR TTI webpage.
Required Reading: Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Timing: November 10-16, 2019
Begins Sunday, November 10, 2019
– Check-in at 4pm
– Dinner at 5:30pm
– Session starts at 7pm
Ends Saturday, November 16, 2019
– Session ends at 11:30am
– Optional lunch at 12:30pm
Location
Ecology Retreat Centre
308046 Hockley Road
Mono, ON L9W 6N2
Early-Bird Fees (available until September 9, 2019)
$2,825 double occupancy
$3,325 single occupancy
Regular Fees
$2,925 double occupancy
$3,425 single occupancy
Please Note: only a limited number of single rooms will be available for immediate registration. Once these spots are sold out, you can register for a “double room – single waiting list” in case more single rooms become available. If you are offered a single room upgrade, you will be asked to pay the additional $500 online before the retreat.
As a registered charity, we do not charge HST. When you support us, you support our charitable initiatives. If you’d like to learn more, please see our Community Program.
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
Please remember to apply before registering.
MBSR in Downtown Toronto
Learn practical ways to manage stress
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is for individuals experiencing stress resulting from chronic physical and psychological conditions.
For more details, visit our MBSR page
Timing
Monday Afternoons
Orientation & Interview: November 11, 2019 | 2pm – 5pm
Sessions 1-8*: November 18, 2019 – January 20, 2020 | 2pm – 4:30pm
Silent Retreat: Saturday, January 4, 2020 | 10am – 4pm
* program skips December 23rd & December 30th
Location
180 Sudbury Street
Toronto, ON M6J 0A8
Fees
Early-Bird: $490 (until October 20th)
Regular: $550
Payment, Cancellation, Refund & Exchange Policies
A valid OHIP card is required for this program and must be brought to the Orientation & Interview session.
To find out if your third-party insurance covers all or part of a therapeutic program, visit our About Insurance page.
MSC in East Toronto
Learn to manage difficulty with more ease and kindness
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion to enhance our emotional well-being.
For more details, visit our MSC page.
Timing
Wednesday Evenings
Orientation & Interview: November 13, 2019 | 6pm – 9pm
Sessions 1-8*: November 20, 2019 – January 22, 2020 | 6pm – 9pm
Silent Retreat: Sunday, January 5, 2020 | 1:30pm – 5:30pm
* program skips December 25th & January 1st
Location
Beach United Church
140 Wineva Avenue
Toronto, ON M4E 2T4
Fees
Early-Bird: $595 (until October 22nd)
Regular: $625
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
To find out if your third-party insurance covers all or part of a therapeutic program, visit our About Insurance page.
MBCT Basics in Montréal
Explore the therapeutic benefits of MBCT while looking at its clinical applications
This is the first module of our MBCT Facilitation Certificate.
For more details, see our MBCT Basics page.
Timing
Session 1: Thursday, November 21, 2019 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Session 2: Friday, November 22, 2019 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Location
MindSpace
1310 Greene Ave #500
Westmount, QC H3Z 2B2
Fee: $560
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
MBCT in Guelph
Learn to manage anxiety & prevent the relapse of depression
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an evidence-based group therapy for preventing depressive relapse. It also reduces acute depression, anxiety and stress.
For more details, visit our MBCT page.
Timing
Monday Evenings
Intake Interviews (via telephone): Monday, November 25, 2019 | 10am – 12pm
Orientation & Session 1: November 25, 2019 | 6pm – 9pm
Sessions 2-8*: December 2, 2019 – January 20, 2020 | 6pm – 8:30pm
Silent Retreat: Saturday, January 11, 2020 | time TBD
* program skips December 30th
Registration closes on November 21, 2019
Location
42 Carden Street
Guelph, ON N1H 3A2
Fees
Early-Bird: $490 (until November 10th)
Regular: $550
Registration closes on November 21, 2019
Payment, Cancellation, Refund & Exchange Policies
To find out if your third-party insurance covers all or part of a therapeutic program, visit our About Insurance page.
MBCT Online
Learn to manage anxiety & prevent the relapse of depression
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an evidence-based group therapy providing tools and strategies for preventing depressive relapse, as well as reducing acute depression, anxiety and stress.
For more details, visit our MBCT page.
Timing
Wednesday Mornings
Intake Interviews (via telephone): Monday, December 2, 2019 | 6pm – 8pm ET & Tuesday, December 3, 2019 | 10am – 12pm ET
Orientation & Session 1: December 4, 2019 | 10am – 1pm ET
Sessions 2-8*: December 11, 2019 – February 12, 2020 | 10:30am – 1pm ET
* program skips December 25th & January 1st
** please note January 29th is the 4 hour Silent Retreat | 9:30am – 1:30pm ET **
Registration closes Friday, November 29, 2019
Online Format
Please note this will be a highly interactive web-based program. Your full attention and participation will be required.
For technical requirements, click here.
Fees
Early-Bird: $490 (until November 12th)
Regular: $550
Registration closes at 5pm on Friday, November 29, 2019
Payment, Cancellation, Refund & Exchange Policies
MSC in Downtown Toronto
Learn to manage difficulty with more ease and kindness
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion to enhance our emotional well-being.
For more details, visit our MSC page.
Timing
Thursday Evenings
Orientation & Interview: December 5, 2019 | 6pm – 9pm
Sessions 1-8*: December 12, 2019 – February 13, 2020 | 6pm – 9pm
Silent Retreat: Saturday, January 25, 2020 | 12:30pm – 4:30pm
* program skips December 26th & January 2nd
Location
180 Sudbury Street
Toronto, ON M6J 0A8
Fees
Early-Bird: $595 (until November 13th)
Regular: $625
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
To find out if your third-party insurance covers all or part of a therapeutic program, visit our About Insurance page.
MBCT Basics Online
Explore the therapeutic benefits of MBCT while looking at its clinical applications
This is the first module of our MBCT Facilitation Certificate Program.
For more details, visit our MBCT Basics page.
Timing
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Week 1: January 20, 22, 24, 2020 | 9:30am – 11:30am ET
Week 2: January 27, 29, 31, 2020 | 9:30am – 11:30am ET
Online Format
Please note this will be a highly interactive web-based program. Your full attention and participation will be required.
For technical requirements, click here.
Fee: $560
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
Mindfulness Core Concepts
Learn about the research and application of mindfulness
This is the first module of our MBSR Facilitation Certificate Program.
For more details, see our Mindfulness Core Concepts page.
Timing
Thursday, January 23, 2020 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Fee: $350
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
MBCT Practicum in Toronto
Ontario’s only MBCT practicum accredited by The College of Family Physicians of Canada.
This is the fourth module of our MBCT Facilitation Certificate Program.
For more details, visit our MBCT Practicum page.
Timing
Wednesday Evenings
Sessions 1-10*: March 4 – May 20, 2020 | 5:30pm – 9pm
* course skips March 18th & May 6th
Location
180 Sudbury Street
Toronto, ON M6J 0A8
Fees
Early-Bird: $2,395 (until January 31st)
Regular: $2,595
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
Online participation may be possible for this course.
If interested, email jennifer@MindfulnessStudies.com
Inquiry Essentials in Toronto
Inquiry is the practice of asking a question to investigate our experience. It is at the heart of MBCT and MBSR.
This is the final course module of our MBCT & MBSR Facilitation Certificate Programs.
For more details, visit our Inquiry Essentials page.
Timing
Session 1: Friday, March 27, 2020 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Session 2: Saturday, March 28, 2020 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Location
180 Sudbury Street
Toronto, ON M6J 0A8
Fee: $560
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
Online participation may be possible for this course.
If interested, email jennifer@MindfulnessStudies.com
MBSR Teacher Training Intensive in BC
Train to facilitate MBSR programs. This is the second module of our MBSR Facilitation Certificate Program.
This 6-day training intensive will provide participants with the opportunity to study and experience the foundational underpinnings, mindfulness practices and specific exercises that are the framework of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. The themes, rationales, intention and practice skills of each MBSR session will be reviewed and practised. For full details, please see the MBSR TTI webpage.
Required Reading: Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Timing: May 2-8, 2020
Begins Saturday, May 2, 2020
– Check-in at 4pm
– Dinner at 6pm
– Session starts at 7pm
Ends Friday, May 8, 2020
– Session ends at 11am
– Optional lunch at 12pm
Location
Bethlehem Centre
2371 Arbot Road
Nanaimo, BC V9R 6S9
Early-Bird Fees (available until January 28, 2020)
$2,925 double occupancy
$3,275 single occupancy
Regular Fees (as of January 29, 2020)
$3,125 double occupancy
$3,475 single occupancy
As a registered charity, we do not charge HST. When you support us, you support our charitable initiatives. If you’d like to learn more, please see our Community Program.
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
Please remember to apply before registering.
MSC Teacher Training in B.C.
APPLY NOW to obtain the registration link.
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is an empirically-supported 8-week program designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. Based on pioneering research by Kristin Neff and integrated with the clinical perspective of Christopher Germer, MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult emotions with care and understanding.
The three key components of self-compassion are self-kindness, a sense of common humanity, and balanced, mindful awareness. Kindness opens our hearts to suffering, so we can give ourselves what we need. Common humanity opens us to others, so that we know we aren’t alone. Mindfulness opens us to the present moment, so we can accept our experience with greater ease. Together they comprise a state of warmhearted, connected, presence during difficult moments in our lives.
Self-compassion can be learned by anyone, even those who didn’t receive enough affection in childhood or who feel uncomfortable when they are good to themselves. It’s a courageous attitude that stands up to harm, including the harm that we inflict on ourselves through self-criticism, self-denial, or self-absorption. Self-compassion provides emotional strength and resilience, allowing us to admit our shortcomings, forgive ourselves, motivate ourselves with kindness, care for others, and be fully human.
Rapidly expanding research clearly demonstrates that self-compassion is related to emotional wellbeing, lower anxiety and depression, maintenance of healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and more satisfying personal relationships.
MSC Teacher Training
The MSC program has been in development since 2009, and a MSC training manual is scheduled for publication in 2017 (Guilford Press). The UCSD Center for Mindfulness will coordinate MSC teacher training in the USA, in collaboration with the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. The Centre for Mindfulness Studies will coordinate MSC teacher training in Canada, in collaboration with the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion.
MSC Teacher Training is an intensive, 6-day, residential program facilitated by a team of senior MSC teachers. The training is built around the eight weekly sessions of MSC with each half day dedicated to a condensed, experiential review of one of the sessions, followed by small group activities designed to give attendees opportunities to practice teaching, guiding and facilitating discussion in that session with the close consultation of one of the Teacher Trainers. In addition, the training includes short talks, group exercises, discussion, and periods of silence. Participants will be provided with the essential materials to teach MSC programs.
Please see MSC Certification Pathway on the UCSD website to learn more.
Participants Will Learn To
- Deepen their personal practice of responding to difficult emotions with mindfulness and compassion
- Summarize current basic theory and research on self-compassion
- Identify the core themes and be able to implement practices presented in each of the eight group sessions of MSC, plus the retreat day
- Develop the skills necessary to facilitate MSC groups, including how to guide meditation, teach from each participant’s direct experience, and facilitate group cohesion
- Apply advanced mindful self-compassion principles and practices in teaching patients, students, or clients
- Engage in real-time interactive sessions to demonstrate teaching skills and receive feedback and assessment from instructors
- Identify obstacles to mindful self-compassion practice and strategies for overcoming them
- Embody a mindful and compassionate stance toward students of the MSC program as they confront challenges to their practice
Who Should Attend
This 6-day intensive is intended for those who wish to teach the MSC program, those who would like to integrate mindfulness and self-compassion in their ongoing professional activities (i.e., psychotherapy, coaching, nursing, teaching, etc.), and individuals who have a professional interest in the field (i.e., researchers, administrators, etc.).
Prerequisites
- Established daily mindfulness practice of at least two years.
- Ongoing, daily, sitting meditation practice
- Ongoing practice of loving-kindness and self-compassion in daily life
- Attendance in at least one 5-day silent teacher-led residential meditation retreat of any kind, at a location of your choosing.
- Experience teaching meditation in groups, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, or in clinical settings
- Previous participation in a Mindful Self-Compassion personal program (8-week or 5-day Intensive) at least 6 months beforehand. Two-day Core Skills Workshops, Online MSC and shorter workshops do not satisfy this requirement.
What To Expect
Our ability to teach others depends largely on discovering the power of self-compassion in our own lives and embodying the practice. Since the core principles and practices of the MSC program are taught through experiential learning, participants are encouraged to focus on their felt experience during teacher training. Ample time will also be allocated for professional dialogue and the nuts and bolts of teaching.
The MSC program is a journey—an adventure in self-discovery and self-kindness. Loving-kindness and self-compassion training helps us soothe and comfort ourselves as it paradoxically reveals emotional distress we may have been unconsciously holding inside, often for many years. Therefore, some difficult emotions are likely to surface as we grow in our capacity to embrace them. This is intrinsic to the process of emotional transformation through self-compassion.
Self-compassion thrives in an environment of safety, support, privacy, individual responsibility, and a common commitment to presence and compassion. Self-compassion practice should also be easy and enjoyable. The teacher trainers are dedicated to creating such a learning atmosphere for all workshop participants and their future students.
Required Reading
Before applying to the MSC Teacher Training: On Becoming a MSC Teacher: A Mountaineer’s Guide to Building the Resource of Mindful Self-Compassion by Christine Braehler, Steven D. Hickman, and Christopher Germer
Before participating in the MSC Teacher Training: The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength and Thrive by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer
Highly Recommended Reading
Before participating in the MSC Teacher Training: Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff
Before participating in the MSC Teacher Training: The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions by Christopher Germer
Apply Before Registering
If you have not already been approved to attend this MSC Teacher Training, but meet the above prerequisites, please apply now. Once you are approved to attend, you will receive the registration link via email along with your notice of acceptance. If you have been approved but did not receive the URL, please contact us.
Timing
September 20-25, 2020
Sunday Check-In: 4pm – 5pm
Saturday Departure: 12pm – 1pm
Location
Bethlehem Centre
2371 Arbot Road
Nanaimo, BC V9R 6S9
Fees to be determined
As a registered charity, we do not charge HST. When you support us, you support our charitable initiatives. If you’d like to learn more, please see our Community Program.
Payment, cancellation and refund policies
Scholarships
Contact us to inquire about scholarship availability. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2020.