Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

Research suggests that MBCT interrupts unhelpful thinking patterns that lead to depression and anxiety.   It helps participants to become familiar with the behavior of the mind, and to relate differently to life challenges as well as difficult thoughts and feelings that arise in response.

Dr. Jones uses some MBCT methods and principles in their individual counselling.  The full benefits of MBCT, however, can only be promised for participants who enroll in the research-supported full treatment protocol, which is offered only in  group format at this time.   Accredited MBCT groups and related activities in the Vancouver area can be found here.

Skills Training for Adults with ADHD

We do not have plans to run groups this year.

In early 2024, we will once again run ADHD skills training groups which consist in 10 weekly sessions with 6 to 12 persons per group.  A formal ADHD diagnosis is not required.

The program is largely based on the published work of Stephen Safren and colleagues, Dr. Mary Solanto and colleagues, and ACT Therapy methods, which foster awareness and acceptance of one’s automatic process and action tendencies, followed by commitment to value-guided action.   The skills training course has the following major components:

1. Maintaining awareness of tasks and deadlines

2. Getting to work on non-preferred tasks (reducing procrastination)

3. Having productive and efficient work sessions

Two additional modules will be chosen by the group from the list below:

1. Impulsive and problematic behaviors (e.g., addictions; behavioral addictions)

2. Managing stress, anxiety and mood

3. Communication and social skills

4. Maintaining relationships

Our program differs from Safren and Solanto programs in that skills are taught within an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) framework, which is based in clarity of one’s values and goals, and using mindfulness-based methods to orient to value-guided attentional targets and actions.