Two mindfulness-based addiction recovery workshops upcoming in Toronto…
MBAR Certificate Training Program
Apr 29 – May 1, Institute for Traditional Medicine. Details here.
MBAR is a mindfulness-based approach to preventing relapse and promoting recovery from addiction.
The course was developed by co-authors of Eight Step Recovery – Dr Paramabandhu Groves and Valerie Mason-John. The course has been shared in community settings for over a decade. The course can be taught to those recovering from addictions in 6-8 weeks.
The MBAR certificate program trains participants to faciliate this course. It was designed by Valerie Mason-John, in collaboration with Dr Groves, to teach individuals and organizations that are interested in leading the MBAR course in their communities and for their clients.
Valerie Mason-John MA is an award winning author of several plays and 8 books including: Detox Your Heart – Working with Anger/fear/hatred as well as being co-author of Eight Step Recovery – Using the Buddhas teachings to overcome addiction. She is a TEDx speaker, the Chair of the Vancouver Buddhist Centre, and pioneer of Recovery Mondays in Vancouver City, and across the USA and UK. Valerie is a international speaker, trainer and retreat facilitator for 12 step and recovery communities. Valerie has been in Recovery from Bulimia/Anorexia Nervosa for 15 years – and has lived a clean and sober life for over 20 years. Valerie’s recovery was inspired through meditation and diligently working through a recovery program. Valerie combines her professional experience as a trainer with her own mindfulness practice, to help create the right conditions to help people recover from addictions and compulsive behaviours. As well as working in the field of addiction, Valerie works as the ‘Bully Doctor’ for school boards throughout Canada, and as a trainer and Life Coach in the field of conflict transformation, restorative justice and leadership skills. Raised in orphanages, foster homes, on the streets and incarcerated at age 15, she offers her personal recovery story to assist others.
Mindfulness and “Kindfulness”: Tools to Keep Your Clients on Their Path of Recovery
May 30-31, Leading Edge Seminars. Details here.
Valerie Mason-John has been working in the field of addiction for over 15 years in rehab centres in Canada, the U.S., and Europe, in addition to being an author, an artist, and a teacher. She is both a recovering bulimic/anorexic and recreational drug user, and combines her personal experience of recovery and mindfulness with professional experience to explore the far-reaching impact of Mindfulness and “Kindfulness”.
She notes: “Most people with addictions spend their time wanting to get out of their body, getting high, having out-of-body experiences, getting wrecked and being numb to what is going on in their lives.” So how do we teach people with addictions to do the exact opposite of their ingrained habitual behaviour?
Mindfulness is the practice of coming back to the body, feelings, and thoughts. Kindfulness is the salve that begins to awaken recovery. The vicious cycles of addiction often lead to shame, frustration, and hopelessness. With the tools of Mindfulness and Kindfulness, we can begin to enable our clients with skills that will help in times of high-risk situations or boredom.
Through self-reflection, interactive exercises, storytelling, and small-group discussions, you will deepen your understanding of addictions and learn skills to further your practice. Regardless of your setting, whether you work with individuals and/or with groups, be prepared to enter into a unique, engaging learning experience.
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