TEACHERS
MBSR-BC is a group of people who are trained to teach mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and mindfulness-based compassion practices. MBSR-BC teachers have a long history of dedicated personal mindfulness practice and training.
If you are interested in a specific program please contact the teacher offering it directly.
DENISE COLES
Vancouver
Denise Coles, M.A., R.C.C. is a Registered Clinical Counsellor in private practice in Vancouver and at Transitions Mental Health and Addictions program in Richmond, providing mindfulness-based, existential analytic, and cognitive therapy approaches. Mindfulness training with Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1999 (UMass Medical) for teaching MBSR. Other meditation teachers include Michele McDonald, Jesse Vega-Frey, Stephen Smith, Steve Armstrong and Kamala Masters. Denise has participated in several Vipassana silent meditation retreats over the past 20 years, and has sought further deepening and study in compassion practices.
Courses: Teaches Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Prevention of Depressive Relapse (MBCT) through Langara College Continuing Studies, and co-facilitates MBCT and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for GAD in Richmond.
Contact Denise by phone: 778-834-6189 or by email: coles.denise@gmail.com
TOM HEAH
Vancouver
Tom Heah (M.Sc., Occupational Therapy) works in mental health, and is certified to teach MBSR and MBCT through UCSD, and MAPs through UCLA. He is a mentor of MBSR, MBCT, and Training in Mindfulness Facilitation teacher trainees at the Centre for Mindfulness Studies, and at UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center. Tom's teachers include: Adrianne Ross, Jon Kabat-Zin, Susan Woods, Mark Lau, Ruth King, Florence Meleo-Meyer, and Diana Winston.
Courses: Since 2006, Tom has been teaching MBSR, MBCT, Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs), and other mindfulness courses in the public and private sectors, including MBSR and MBCT at Langara College.
Contact Tom by phone: 604-401-6658 or by email: tom@mindfulnessinaction.ca
Website: mindfulnessinaction.ca
SANDY KWONG
Vancouver
Sandy Kwong MSW, RSW. Sandy Kwong is an Oncology Social Worker at BC Cancer since 2001. She provides language and cultural specific counselling and support groups to Chinese-speaking cancer patients and their family members, to cope with their challenges along the cancer journey. She is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Sandy is a Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher through the Centre of Mindfulness Studies in Toronto, Canada. She has developed the bilingual English-Chinese MBSR Participant Workbook. Her mindfulness audio recording in Cantonese is available at SoundCloud for public use. Audio recording in Mandarin will be available in fall 2020. https://soundcloud.com/phsabc/sets/mindfulness-cantonese
Courses: Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Courses in English, Cantonese and Mandarin are available to cancer patients of BC Cancer and community oncology network in BC. Courses are offered at BC Cancer Vancouver Centre and in virtual format using video-conferencing.
Contact Sandy by email: skwong@bccancer.bc.ca
website: http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/about/events/chinese-mindfulness-program
MELANIE MCDONALD
Vancouver
Melanie McDonald, MSW, RSW. Professional Practice Leader in the Department of Patient and Family Counselling at BC Cancer-Vancouver.
Mindfulness training with University of Massachusetts, Center for Mindfulness. Certified Hatha yoga teacher, Vancouver School of Yoga.
Courses: Has taught with BC Cancer, Langara College, and Mindful Living.
Contact Melanie by phone: 604-877-6000 ext. 675392 or by email: melanie.mcdonald@bccancer.bc.ca
BRETT PETERSON
Vancouver
Brett Peterson, MA, Counselling Psychology. Counsellor in private practice and also in addictions in the Lower Mainland since 1995. Trained in MBSR, MBCT and SMART in Education and has been teaching and developing mindfulness courses within organizations and in the community through Mindful Living with Marian Smith since 2004. Teachers include Steve Armstrong, Michele McDonald, Jon Kabat-Zinn and others.
Courses: 8 week MBSR and MBSR Grad programs; 8 week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for depression and anxiety; 8 week SMART-in-Education Program for teachers. Facilitates mindfulness programs and workshops for organizations and community groups.
Contact Brett by phone: 778-991-9450 or by email: brandnewtrail@gmail.com
website: www.mindful-living.ca
DEBORAH PRIEUR
Vancouver
Deborah Prieur, MSW, MA. Counsellor with Transitions Mental Health and Addictions Program. Trained in MBSR (1998), SMART program for teachers (2009), and MBCT (2011). Mindfulness teachers include: Adrianne Ross, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Margaret Cullen, Susan Woods, Mark Lau and her primary meditation teacher, Michele McDonald.
Courses: 8 week MBSR and MBSR Grad Courses; 8 week Mindful Eating Program; 8 week SMART-in-Education Program for teachers; and 8 week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Facilitates mindfulness programs and workshops for organizations and community groups.
Contact Deb by email: dp@everydaymindfulness.ca
website: www.everydaymindfulness.ca
ADRIANNE ROSS
Vancouver
Adrianne Ross, MD. Retired Family Physician. Trained by Jack Kornfield and Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Courses: Meditation retreats and classes in Canada and the United States.
Contact Adrianne by email: adrianne108@gmail.com
website: www.bcims.org
MARIAN SMITH
Vancouver
Marian Smith MA, RCC is a counsellor in private practice using mindfulness-based therapies, neuroplasticity practices and focusing-oriented psychotherapy. Certified in MBSR in 2002, MBCT in 2005, and trained in Mindful Self-Compassion in 2015. Teachers include: Adrianne Ross, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Zindel Segal, Mark Lau, Susan Woods, Michele McDonald, Tara Brach, Christopher Germer, Diana Winston and numerous others at extended retreats since 1985.
Courses: Marian has been teaching several courses since 2002, including: MBSR, MBCT for depression and anxiety, Self-Compassion and MBSR grad programs. She co-facilitates drop-in meditation sessions for graduates.
Contact Marian by phone: 604-787-6100 or by email: msmith@mindful-living.ca
website: www.mindful-living.ca
LINDA TURNER
Vancouver
Linda Turner, MN, PhD. Linda is a nurse who has worked with pain management for many years in the health care system and the education system. She is a certified MBSR instructor through the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society. She has taught MBSR for 20 years and has participated as the instructor in two research studies.
Courses: 8 week MBSR
Contact Linda by phone: 778-239-9221 or by email: lturner7@shaw.ca
KASIM AL-MASHAT
Vancouver - North Shore
Kasim Al-Mashat, PhD, is Registered Psychologist and Certified MBSR Teacher & Trainer through the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMass), and Brown University Center For Mindfulness. He completed the MBSR Professional Train the Trainer teacher development program, and authorized to train MBSR teachers. His teachers include: Jon Kabat-Zinn, Saki Santorelli, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Lynn Korbel, Bob Stahl and others. He has completed a six-month silent meditation retreat in forest meditation center in Southeast Asia, and presented a TEDx about mindfulness. Kasim is also a certified Hatha Yoga & Laughter Yoga Teacher.
Contact Kasim by phone: 604-771-0579, or email: info@drkasimalmashat.com
website: www.drkasimalmashat.com
YAARI DYER
Vancouver
Yaari Dyer, Ph.D, is a Registered Psychologist in private practice in Vancouver, and is a Certified MBSR Facilitator through the Toronto Centre for Mindfulness Studies. She has practiced different forms of vipassana meditation (Goenka-style; Shamatha vipassana; Osho Vipassana, and Insight Meditation) in short and long meditation retreats in Japan, India and North America, under several teachers since 1990: Pema Chodron, Tara Brach, Sharon Salzberg, Steve Armstrong, Heather Martin, Adrianne Ross, and others. Yaari completed MBSR training with Jon Kabat-Zinn, Saki Santorelli, Susan Woods, and Patricia Rockman. She has taught MBSR in Kitsilano in-person and by Zoom since 2019.
Contact Yaari by email: dyerpsych@gmail.com or by phone: 604-563-1684
ERIKA HORWITZ
Burnaby
Erika Horwitz, Ph.D. Registered Psychologist Private practice and also Director of Counselling Services at Simon Fraser University (SFU). For the past 12 years, Erika has been leading Mindfulness Based programs and counselling both at SFU for students, staff and faculty and in private practice. She has completed all the trainings in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction including coursework, intensive supervision and advanced trainings through the Centre for Mindfulness in Medicine Healthcare and Society. Teachers include: Jon Kabat-Zinn, Saki Santorelli, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Lynn Korbel, Bob Stahl, Steven Armstrong, Michelle Macdonald. She has also done training in MBCT with Mark Lau, Mindful Self-Compassion with Chris Germer, Acceptance and Commitment therapy with Steve Hayes and Jason Luoma, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy with Marsha Lanihan and Alex Chapman.
Courses: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, and Mindfulness, Happiness and self-love. Mindfulness Based Counselling is also offered.
Contact Erika by phone: 778-227-7742 or by email: drerikahorwitz@gmail.com
website: www.mindfulnessyvr.com
ANNE WALKER
Coquitlam / Tri-Cities
Anne Walker, BA, BSW, RSW. has worked in hospital, oncology and palliative care and has taught MBSR in those settings. Anne has studied MBSR through the UMass Center for Mindfulness and Oasis Training programs including Mind Body Medicine, Practicum in MBSR, the Teacher Development Intensive and the Individual Supervision in MBSR with a variety of CFM instructors including Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santarelli. Please contact Anne regarding courses in the 8 week MBSR program and day long retreats in the Tri-Cities area.
Contact Anne by email: awalker.mbsr@gmail.com
BRANDI MATHESON
Fraser Valley
Brandi Matheson, is certified teacher in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction through the University of Massachusetts, Centre for Mindfulness, with advanced level training in MBSR through the University of San Diego, Centre for Mindfulness. She has additional teacher training in Mindful Self-Compassion, through Centre for Mindful Self Compassion, and is certified trauma informed yoga teacher and a certified mental healthcare worker since 2003. Brandi scope of practice is to offer mindfulness-based practices to youth, adults to aid in mental, physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as she loves working with specialized groups and/or organizations to help bring mindfulness into their workplace. She is a dedicated mindfulness student herself and supports her own practice through daily meditation practice, intensive meditation retreats, trainings, and mentorship by senior teachers. Those teachers are, but not limited to; Adrianne Ross, Michele Macdonald, Jesse Maceo Vega-Fray, and Steven Smith. Brandi has also received training by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Saki Santorelli, Florence Meleo-Meyer, Christiane Wolf, Steve Hickman, Bob Sthal, Beth Mulligan, and the late Michael Stone.
Courses: 8-week MBSR, 8-Week MSC
Contact Brandi by phone: 604-309-9634 or by email: connect@brandimatheson.com
website: www.brandimatheson.com
PATRICIA KATHRYN GALACZY
Vancouver Island - Victoria
Leadership Educator and fully Certified Instructor of MBSR though the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society, University of Massachusetts Medical School with two decades of dedicated mindfulness meditation training and practice including,
3-month silent mindfulness meditation retreat with guiding senior teachers Kamala Masters and Steve Armstrong (2021), over 40 long silent meditation retreats with senior teachers since 2003, Advanced Training for MBCT and MBSR Teachers; MBSR Teacher Training with Jon Kabat-Zinn (2012), Mindfulness Yoga and Meditation Teacher Training Spirit Rock Meditation Centre (2007-2009), Certified Hatha Yoga Teacher since 2004.
Courses: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) 8-week Program, Mindfulness at Work, Mindful Leadership, Mindful Communication & Listening, Compassion in the Workplace. Customized Mindfulness Training for Organizations.
Contact Patricia by email: patricia@theartofdialogue.com
website: www.theartofdialogue.com
EDDIE BERINSTEIN
Sunshine Coast - Robert's Creek
Eddie Berinstein, MD. Trained with Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli. Other teachers include Anagarika Dhamma Dina, Christina Feldman, Robert Beatty, and Thich Nhat Hahn.
Courses: 8 week MBSR, 3 - 5 day MBSR Workshops, and monthly sitting group.
Contact Eddie by phone: 604-740-5459 or by email to: efberinstein@gmail.com or cascadia.centre@gmail.com
website: www.cascadiaretreats.com
JANICE SNYDER
Okanagan - Kelowna
Janice Snyder, PhD is a certified MBSR teacher and qualified MBCT teacher. She began facilitating MBSR in 2013 for faculty, staff, and students at the University of British Columbia Okanagan extending the offering to the Central Okanagan community in 2015. Following MBSR teacher certification in 2016, she began MBCT teacher training and has been offering MBCT in the community since 2018. A weekly meditation practice is held for program graduates.
Courses: 8-week MBSR and 8-week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for depression and anxiety. Facilitates mindfulness workshops and is available for presentations.
Contact Janice by email: j.snyder@telus.net
Website: www.janicesnyder.ca
DAVID GREENSHIELDS
Okanagan - Kelowna
David Greenshields MA, CQSW, RSW was drawn to Mindfulness in the late 1980’s as a means of dealing with some health challenges. This introduced him to the work and teachings of Dr Jon Kabat Zinn’s and ultimately to participating in and then undertaking the teacher training in MBSR through the Centre for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts medical school. Currently, David facilitates the full 8 week program through BC Cancer, as well as offering introductory programs at the University of Victoria and within the community. In addition to teaching, David has a keen interest in fostering support for practitioners through the foundation of meditation communities in Victoria and Kelowna. David cites Thich Nhat Hanh, Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, Tara Brach, Kristin Neff, Eckhart Tolle and Gangaji as some of his most influential teachers.
Contact David by phone: 250 718 2698 ext 6189, or by email: davidtg@telus.net
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