Mindfulness Training

Mindspace is the leading organization in Montreal for mindfulness training. You can think of mindfulness practice as a workout for your brain–a way to keep strong, fit, and resilient. Like physical exercise, mindfulness requires some basic training and ongoing practice. Developed primarily via meditation practice, over time, mindfulness results in greater focus and well-being.

Whether you’ve heard about the benefits of meditation for reducing stress, or are looking to go deeper with your mindfulness practice, we have programming to meet your needs. Select one of our programs below to learn more, or click here to view our complete calendar of upcoming offerings.

Wondering about teaching mindfulness, or adding it to your skill-set as a health care professional? Make sure and check out our continuing education offerings.

Looking to bring mindfulness training into your workplace? Reach out to our workplace mindfulness team to start a conversation.

Growing empirical research shows that mindfulness meditation techniques can:

  • Reduce stress and anxiety
  • Decrease emotional reactivity
  • Improve concentration
  • Strengthen confidence and resilience
  • Promote peace of mind and well-being
  • Help cope with pain and illness
  • Enhance willpower and decision-making
  • Help cultivate compassion for self and others

Testimonials

  • I would recommend this MBSR program as a must to everyone who are interested in improving their health as well as their quality of life. Merci mille fois.

    ,

  • Having participated in this program I can confirm that the MBSR intervention has profoundly changed the way I deal with life. I continue my practice daily, it has become part of my life.

    ,

  • The course was very good, but not only did it help me with the mindfulness meditation, but it also pointed me in the right direction when it comes to my working life.

    ,

  • The course was a very valuable experience for me that has helped strengthen and develop this area of interest in my life and will help me as I go forward.

    ,

  • Best introduction to mindfulness meditation, really helpful, thank you!

    ,

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Should I take MBSR or MBCT?

      MBSR is open to anyone who is interested in decreasing stress and learning a new way of relating skillfully to their experience. It is not recommended for individuals with recurrent clinical anxiety or depression, but rather is meant to help improve management of everyday stressors (e.g., work, relationships, health).

      In contrast, MBCT is designed specifically to help prevent relapse in individuals who have struggled with acute/clinical anxiety or depression. If you’ve been treated for an anxiety disorder or for one ore more depressive episodes in the past, and are ready to learn new skills for preventing further episodes, MBCT is for you.

      MBSR and MBCT teachers will confirm participant eligibility at the mandatory orientation session one week prior to the start of the program.

    • Who benefits from mindfulness training?

      Mindfulness training benefits anyone who is:

      • Looking for new tools for managing stress
      • Recovering from anxiety or mood problems
      • Having difficulty coping with a particular life stressor such as an illness, separation, or significant transition
      • Having difficulty coping with health problems such as chronic pain
      • Interested in enhancing well-being and preventing future health problems
      • Interested in starting a meditation practice
    • Do I need to know anything about mindfulness or meditation to take your courses?

      No, Intro to Mindfulness, Individual Training and our MBSR program are ideal places to start, but all our programs are suitable for people with no experience in meditation or mindfulness. MBCT is designed specifically for individuals recovering from recurrent clinical anxiety or depression.

    • Do I have to do anything between sessions?

      We give homework at the end of most sessions. The homework usually consists of meditation and informal mindfulness practice, adding up to about 20 mins per day. The assignments are an essential component of the course. The more you put into the practice, the more likely you are to enjoy the benefits of mindfulness.

    • How are the sessions structured?

      We usually spend 20-30 minutes debriefing on home meditation practice or other homework assigned the previous week. The next portion of the session is devoted to psychoeducation, discussion, and exercises related to the topic of the session. We usually close with a meditation.

    • Do I have to speak during group discussions?

      You are free to contribute as little or as much to the discussions as you like.

    • What happens if I have to miss a session?

      Missing a session isn’t ideal, but is sometimes unavoidable. You have several options if you miss a session:

      •  You can explore the written or online material provided by the teacher(s) for that week.
      •  You can set up a brief phone call or pre-class meeting with your teacher to review the material you missed.
    • How many people are in your groups?

      The groups range from 10 to 20 participants.

    • How do I get reimbursed from my insurance company?

      We will provide you with a receipt on the first day of the course, which you would submit to your insurer for reimbursement. Some insurance companies will require a separate receipts for each session – rather than a receipt for a lump sum payment. Call your insurance company for more details; we will be glad to accommodate your needs.

    • Will my private health insurance cover the fees?

      Many of our programs are taught by licensed psychologists and most health plans cover psychological services. Some plans cover 100% of the costs and others cover only a portion. The details vary from plan to plan, so check with your insurance company. (Check with us to ensure that the program you’re registered for is taught by a psychologist.)

    • Are the fees covered by Quebec health care?

      No. We are not medical doctors, so we cannot bill RAMQ for our services. Some of our 8-week programs are co-facilitated by RAMQ-recognized physicians, however, in which case coverage may be possible. In those instances the program in question will clearly indicate this.

    • What is your cancellation policy?

      CLINIC APPOINTMENTS

      Mindspace’s cancellation policy is that all clinic appointments must be cancelled at least 24 hours in advance or the full fee will be charged. You can reschedule or cancel your appointment by communicating directly with your therapist or coach via email.

      GROUP MINDFULNESS AND THERAPY PROGRAMS (MULTI-WEEK COURSES)

      In order to register for the course and secure your spot, we require a 20% deposit. In the event that we deem that the course is not a good fit for you at this time, this fee will be refunded in full. Otherwise, fees for cancellation are as follows:

      • Up to 5 days before the first full session (ie. after any orientation session, if applicable): Full refund minus a $40 administrative fee.
      • Between 4 days before the first full session and before the fourth full session: A 50% refund.
      • After the fourth session no refunds will be given.
      • Exceptionally, Mindspace facilitators may require a participant to withdraw from the program if their participation is disruptive to the group. In that case, a full reimbursement will be given.

      SINGLE SESSION WORKSHOPS AND DROP-IN CLASSES

      For 90 minute workshops that require advance registration we require at least 48 hours notice to issue a full refund, in order to ensure we have sufficient time to fill up the spot. Cancellations with less than 48 hours notice up to the start of the class will incur a 25% administrative fee. No shows without advance notice will not be refunded.

      For reserved drop-in mindfulness meditation classes, clients have the option of cancelling their booking up to 30 minutes before the start of the class, either via their Mindbody Online profile, or by calling or emailing, after which purchased classes will be deducted from the client’s account.

      CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS

      Continuing education programs are paid in full in advance. Cancellation fees are as follows:

      • Up to 48 hours prior to the start of the program: Full refund minus a $40 administrative fee.
      • No refunds will be given for cancellations with less than 48 hours notice.
    • What if I register and pay for the group but change my mind after the orientation session or the instructor doesn’t think that MBSR or MBCT is right for me?

      You will receive a full refund of your registration fees, and referrals for other options.

    • Why do I have to attend an orientation session prior to starting the group?

      Mindspace wants to make sure that each participant has a good experience in the MBSR, MBCT or MSC program. The orientation session provides a chance for you to see for yourself what the program is about, so that you can make an informed decision. Likewise, if the instructor determines that MBSR, MBCT or MSC may not be the right fit at the right time for you, we’ll make sure to orient you toward the best alternative.

    • How do I register?

      All registrations are done online. If you’re having trouble with our online system, contact us at (514) 481-0317 x 1. Online registration closes one week before the course begins. If you wish to register after that time, please contact info@archive.mindspacewellbeing.com and we will accommodate you if spots are available.

    • Do you have a scholarship program?

      Yes, in order to make our programs accessible to everyone, MindSpace offers a full scholarship to one participant in each MBSR and MBCT group. Scholarships are available to individuals with an annual household revenue under $35,000. To apply, please contact us.

    • How much do your courses cost?

      Between $500 and $650, payable at the time of registration.

    • What is mindfulness?

      Mindfulness simply means being in the present moment with an open and non-judgmental attitude. Mindfulness is a popular mental health practice that cultivates a calm, clear, and present way of relating to experience. The concept of mindfulness dates back thousands of years to the Buddha’s prescription for training the mind to achieve freedom from suffering. Thanks in large part to the pioneering work of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, a modern and secular version of mindfulness is now prominent in today’s mainstream health care.

      Kabat-Zinn’s success treating complex medical conditions such as chronic pain using mindfulness meditation techniques triggered research interest in the 1980s and researchers began investigating the scientific basis of the techniques.

      With the expansion of the field of neuroscience and availability of brain imaging technology, research on mindfulness exploded in the 1990s and 2000s. Today, there is an exciting and extensive body of literature demonstrating that cultivating mindfulness can help treat pain, anxiety, and depression. It can promote cognitive functioning, concentration, stress management, healthy lifestyle habits, emotional wellbeing, and joy. On the strength of these findings, mindfulness is now widely practiced around the world, in hospitals, medical clinics, schools, universities (including medical schools), corporations, and military organizations.
      The word ‘mindfulness’ is an English translation of the Pali word ‘sati,’ which translates roughly to ‘awake’ or ‘alert’).

      The mindfulness we practice today in our modern Western context is derived from this tradition.