Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

MBSR: 8 Week Program

Next MBSR Program: October 20th - December 8th, 2024

This 8 week, 9 session MBSR course is a comprehensive, evidence based training in mindfulness meditation and mindful hatha yoga. The curriculum, developed in the Stress Reduction Clinic over the course of three decades, is designed to teach program participants how to integrate and apply mindfulness in their everyday lives and to support in developing more resilience in the challenges arising from physical health and mental health issues, as well as life stressors.

The MBSR Program Includes

  • 1-1 Individual phone appointment with Andrea to discuss goals and history prior to the course beginning

  • 8 Weekly 2.5 hour in person group sessions including a weekly theme, guided meditations, movement practices and teachings.

  • Lifetime access to recordings and support for daily home practice (participants should allocate 45 min/day of home practice)

  • Full day silent meditation retreat

Why MBSR?

  • This course is an empirically supported psycho educational group that has more than 30 years of research and evidence based practices.

  • The research outcomes have demonstrated countless positive improvements in physical and psychological symptoms.

  • MBSR is one of the only intensive mindfulness training programs that have embedded mind/body integrative medicine.

  • MBSR has been shown to enhance internal resources and resiliency as well as improve brain functioning and overall health outcomes.

  • Offered as a complement to traditional medical and psychological treatments, (not as a replacement) MBSR has proven to be effective in helping to treat a wide variety of medical conditions.

8 Week MBSR Program

Weekly 2.5 hour sessions including group meditations, discussions, teachings and themes.

*** Please note that while MBSR is typically 8 weeks, this course will run over 9 weeks to accomodate weekend sessions and the all day retreat. ***

When: Sunday mornings, 9:30- 12:00, October 20th - December 8th, 2024

Sunday October 20th - 9:30-12:00

Sunday October 27th- 9:30 -12:00

Sunday November 3rd - 9:30-12:00

Sunday November 10th - 9:30 -12:00

Sunday November 17th - 9:30 - 12:00

Thursday November 21st - 5:30-8:00

Full day retreat: Sunday, November 24th - 9:00- 4:30

Sunday Dec 1st - 9:30 - 12:00

Sunday December 8th -9:30 -12:00

Where: Helga Beer Yoga Studio, 1600 Bay St #202, Victoria, BC

Cost: $450 (Payment plans available upon request and need.)

As Andrea is a Registered Social Worker (RSW), your course fees may be eligible for reimbursement through extended health care plans. Please get in touch to discuss further.

*** No one will be turned away because of lack of funds - sliding scale options available based on need. ****

Full Day Retreat

A 7.5 hour, primarily silent retreat day designed to expand learnings and deepen your mindfulness meditation practice.

* Open to past MBSR students

When: Sunday, 9:00-4:30, November 24th, 2024

Where: Helga Beer Yoga Studio

Cost: Included in your MBSR registration

Register For The Upcoming Spring MBSR Program

Testimonials and Feedback

  • “My experience with Andrea was lovely! She is so compassionate and really listens and works with you on your healing and recovery journey. You won’t ever feel judged here.”

  • “Andrea is incredible at creating safe spaces of listening and connection. In the MBSR course, she skillfully lead us through practices in a way that integrated them into our daily lives. I would recommend this course to anyone who is looking to reconnect with themselves, find growth in a community and deepen their human experience. Thank you again Andrea!”

  • “Andrea is one of the most caring, empathetic, compassionate people I know. She draws from her experience as a social worker, and her skills as a therapist to work with her patients in a trauma informed way. I am always impressed with Andrea's unique, patient centered approach.”

  • “I have had the pleasure of working with Andrea and can confidently and highly recommend her services. She has a calm energy, a warm presence and is incredibly understanding and insightful. She truly has a passion for her work, and it shows in how she interacts with her clients. As a fellow therapist, I am so grateful to have her as part of my community.”

  • “I can not recommend Andrea enough! Such a caring, compassionate and intelligent person. Her dedication shines though in her empathetic and trauma informed approach. Always learning new means of interacting with clients, child and youth experience as well!”

  • “Andrea is a compassionate, kind and skilled counsellor who is consistently working to support folks in the most effective way possible. Andrea has a gentle and calming presence that brings ease to conversations with her. Would recommend her as a counsellor to any who ask!”

  • “Andrea worked with our teenager for multiple months. Andrea was always warm, kind, knowledgeable, and a true supporter of our child's and our family's wellbeing. Highly recommend her services!”