A new year, brings new mindfulness programs for 2019
When we sing “auld lang syne, my dear” to bring in the New Year, we are essentially cheering to days gone by, which is why we sing the song to remember the good times. The song is a Scots-language poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song – now world famous. A rhetorical question is asked at the beginning of the song: should old times be forgotten? The answer is that ‘a cup o’ kindness’ should be had, in order to look back on the past. For all of us here at the Mindfulness Centre in Oakville that sentiment seems really appropriate this year-end, as we look back on our work in 2019 and reflect on all that was accomplished by our staff, patients, and participants in order to improve what we do. We eagerly send out each newsletter throughout the year and we appreciate those of you who read and review the information we provide. It was a busy and active year: we increased both our staff and the number of programs and workshops we present. This year has just flown by and it is hard to believe that in just a few weeks we will be entering into a new year.
PSYCHOTHERAPY
In addition to Dr. Treyvaud’s longstanding psychotherapy practice, in 2019 we were pleased to formally announce that we now also offer psychotherapy with our two therapists Alexandra Peterson and Marlene Van Esch. People seek therapy for a wide variety of reasons, from coping with major life challenges or childhood trauma, to dealing with depression or anxiety or simply desiring personal growth and greater self-knowledge. Depending on the client’s needs and personal goals for therapy, client and therapist may work together for as few as two to three sessions or as long as several years.
Our psychotherapist’s unique approach:
• Incorporates mindfulness and the latest research from Interpersonal Neurobiology into the psychotherapeutic process,
• Dives deeply into how the mind interacts with the brain and how disorder and rigidity can be transformed by rewiring the brain into integration and harmony,
• Facilitates the use of empathy and insight to foster a deeper understanding of self and others within relationships, and
• Promotes the development of a coherent life narrative that facilitates a shift towards health and wellbeing.
NEW PROGRAMS LAUNCHED
We successfully launched two new programs in 2019!
Mindfulness Through Art: This six-week (18 hour) program is led by Maria Teresa Hernandez. Participants are immersed in artistic expression as a way of exploring the foundations of mindfulness, including aspects of Interpersonal Neurobiology. Open to all from beginners to experienced artists, participants experience the benefits of mindfulness by cultivating creativity and art-making. The first offering of this program was well received and we look forward to offering it again in 2020.
Mindfulness-Based Treatment for Low Sexual Desire: This eight-week (18 hour) program for women is taught by Alexandra Peterson and Marlene Van Esch. It is an evidence-based, mindfulness therapy group for treatment of low sexual desire in women. Participants are encouraged to reconnect and engage with their sexuality while learning a variety of mindfulness exercises that cultivate present-moment awareness.
A FEW FUN FACTS
The numbers below illustrate how valued and sought after our services are, as we constantly strive for excellence in providing the most current and up-to-date information and transformative techniques possible.
In our programs, groups and workshops we welcomed 398 participants. Barb, one of our administrative assistants, made us aware that our doors opened 5,368 times as patients and participants attended our programs and groups. Assessments and individual patient appointments saw our doors opening another 633 times. Luckily, our hinges are still intact!
We are pleased to announce that another doctor will be joining our team in 2020, and we will formally introduce her in our newsletter and on the website in the New Year.
We wish all of our newsletter readers all the best of the holidays and a happy new year – and don’t forget the “auld lang syne, my dear” to bring in the New Year! Our team looks forward with optimism and confidence to serve our patients, participants, and the community in 2020.
Best Regards,
Your Mindfulness Centre team (in alphabetical order):
Barbara Boodhan, Dr. Linda Macdonald,
Reena Mathur, Alexandra Peterson,
Dr. Stephane Treyvaud, Marlene Van Esch