Description

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Preventing Depression and Anxiety Relapse for those living with Parkinson’s. Approximately, 50% of people with Parkinson’s struggle with Depression and/or Anxiety. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an evidence-based group therapy for preventing depressive relapse and treating mood disorders. It can reduce depression, anxiety, and distress associated with Parkinson’s.

Mindfulness is a non-judgmental way of paying attention to the present moment that helps us to be less immersed in challenging mind and mood states. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is designed to bring awareness to the habitual negative thinking that leads to depressive and anxious spirals. Combined, MBCT interrupts how we habitually react to situations, so we can choose to respond in more skillful ways than we might habitually. This may help us to have more options around how we manage anxious and depressive states, thereby reducing our suffering. Research has demonstrated MBCT is as effective as antidepressants in the prevention of depressive relapse or recurrence.

Participants Will Learn:

Skills and practices to manage depression, anxiety and prevent relapse. By learning to identify the triggers and symptoms of anxiety and depression, participants can effectively address these issues as they arise in everyday life. In addition, mindfulness helps us to build tolerance for, and deal with challenging mind and mood states differently as well as to see and experience more joy.

The Program:

The MBCT program occurs over 8 weeks of 2.5 hours each. There is also an extended period of practice (silent retreat) in between session 6 and 7. We will engage in formal meditation, informal practice, cognitive exercises, and home practice exercises to reinforce the learning. We will also debrief practices as a group to learn from each other and integrate the skills being trained. A commitment to attendance and home practice activities is required. For those who have extended health insurance receipts will be available for those who attend at least 6 out of 8 sessions

Living Better with Parkinson’s also has a variety of other exercise and wellness programs that can be found on their website.

Area of expertise

This program will be offered by:

Patricia Rockman MD, CCFP, FCFP

Patricia is a family physician with a focused practice in mental health. She has been running mindfulness-based programs for over 18 years. She teaches healthcare providers to deliver these modalities, has written extensively on mindfulness, develops adaptations of mindfulness curricula and presents internationally on mindfulness. She is a long time meditator and yoga practitioner.

Allison McLay C. Dip. S., RP

Allison is a registered psychotherapist and psychometrist. She has worked in mindfulness-based programming for over 18 years. She is a trainer of trainers and curriculum developer. She has adapted mindfulness programs to youth, university students, those with ADHD and much more.

How to register

Phone or Email