Free webinars
At this time, our Wellness Matters talk series are being offered in a webinar format.
Wellness matters During COVID-19
In this difficult time, we offer a series of topics to help individuals and families stay well. As a team of therapists, we find hope in human resilience. In the midst of uncertainty, isolation, loss and hardship, we see also opportunities for connection, courage, growth and compassion.
We look forward to these talks as a way of connecting with individuals and families, and exploring together how we can build resilience in the midst of a difficult time.
Upcoming Webinars
see new fall/winter webinar series!
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Past Webinars
Everyone has a different and complex relationship with food, their body and exercise, it’s personal. We weren’t born hating or disliking our bodies or viewing them as something to be managed, changed or controlled; your body is not a problem! In this webinar, we will explore the ubiquitous cultural messages that contribute to body dissatisfaction, dieting, restrictive eating and excessive exercise as a signal of distress, and the role food plays in our lives. Hopefully, by the end of this talk, you will have a new perspective and compassionate strategies to challenge the harmful/unhelpful body messages and negative self-talk.
Facebook bloggers to philosophers have debated whether hope is a belief, an emotion, or spiritual state. Regardless, keeping it as a foundation is critical to 'flattening the curve' and getting through the COVID-19 pandemic individually and collectively. Discussing strategies for engaging with hope through your mental, emotional, social, spiritual and physical self, means that you keep it present throughout your lifestyle and accessible through our shared public crisis or other challenges your life's journey might present.
Recovery is about support, support, and more support. so, with community gatherings and centres shut down, it can be a stressful time to try and find ways to maintain your recovery. With loneliness, boredom, and stress being top triggers for relapse, it is essential to make sure you are keeping up with new and old recovery tools. During this talk, Britni discusses creative ways to help you through a lonely and stressful time.
In this Webinar, Grant introduces the work of Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman, whose research has led to the classification of Character and Signature Strengths. This webinar concludes with a self-guided music meditation.
In this webinar, Grant provides of review of the previous nine weeks, discussing the highlights from each week. This week concludes with the same meditation from week five, a Self-Compassion Meditation, from Tara Brach.
We find ourselves in unprecedented times. The stress and anxiety we are currently dealing with is something most of us have never had to face in our lifetime. Amidst the uncertainty, even ten minutes of mindfulness meditation a day can help calm your nervous system, enabling you to find a sense of inner peace. In this video, Grant teaches us about mindfulness meditation. In addition to practicing two guided meditations, he discusses what mindfulness is and the benefits, as well as offering practical guidance for developing your own practice.
In this webinar, Grant discusses the many benefits of the mindfulness practice of gratitude, including the ways in which the individual benefits of this practice also enhance us socially and culturally.
Regardless of age, gender, or culture, humans find nature restorative, especially in times of such great uncertainty. Many people report that their moods improve after spending time outside. The natural world can bring us calm, balance, and connection. Eco-therapy can help us harness the healing power of nature to create positive change in our lives as we tackle the challenges from our new reality. In this wellness talk, Selena and Shaheen share: - what Eco-therapy is and how it can benefit us - how we can integrate eco-therapy into our current reality of social distancing
In this webinar, Grant discusses the negative impact of social comparison and reads from the work of Jon Kabat-Zin. This webinar ends with a guided visualization entitled, Taking Refuge Inside and Out.
In this webinar, Grant discusses ways of savouring experiences as means of increasing our state of wellbeing. A brief discussion on things we think make us happy, but don’t, is followed by a discussion highlighting Grant’s journey to mindfulness practice. This webinar finishes with a Breathscape/Bodyscape Meditation, based on the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn.
With so many changes for parents and children, it can feel like the world had turned upside down. In this webinar, psychologist Christine Crocker explores the needs of parents and children during this time, with connection as a key focus. She shares with participants some of the elements to a 'good enough' parenting day, to help add to your own unique recipe for daily success.
This new social norm to stay physically distant from others, away from our usual places of gathering, and to avoid touch in rituals of greeting and affection, is creating a sense of loss and anxiety for many. For others, their social connection has long felt awkward or absent and these new restrictions only intensify what was already there. Keeping connected, however, is important for our physical and mental immunity. No matter what your usual style, this webinar will help you stay healthy by understanding the emotion of loneliness and developing personal strategies to keep it at bay.
In this webinar, Grant provides a list of online applications that focus on the practice of mindfulness. The work of Tara Brach is introduced with an overview of the RAIN of Self- Compassion. This webinar concludes with a Self-Compassion Meditation adopted from one of Tara’s online meditations.
In this session, Dr. Rhonda Wizniak shares tips for reading with your children at home, including basic strategies to help develop your child's reading abilities and level. The webinar will also help you better understand the process of learning to read.
In this webinar, Grant provides some coping strategies for dealing with increased stress and anxiety, including the mindfulness practice of 5-4-3-2-1. This webinar ends with a Body-Scan Meditation.
In this webinar, Grant highlights some of the consequences of not being mindful and discusses some of the myths and misconceptions of mindfulness meditation. This webinar closes with a Loving-Kindness Meditation.
Being in a helping role can be overwhelming and exhausting during routine times. With the arrival of the CO-VID 19 pandemic, health care professionals and caregivers are facing more uncertainty, greater risk of exposure and added stress while caring for patients and our community’s most vulnerable citizens. In this webinar, Adam Sartore addresses how the COVID-19 pandemic can place health care workers and caregivers at greater risk of burnout and compassion fatigue. The webinar also offers strategies and resources for finding moments of personal wellness and navigating the emotional stress of helping during these uncertain times.
Couples who function effectively treat each other with consideration and support each other. There is nothing like a pandemic to test the strength of healthy relationship. In these unprecedented times with increased uncertainty about the future, there will be moments (maybe days) when even the most healthy and high-functioning couple is going to spin out of control and perform below their capacity. In times of stress, like no other the ability to respond quickly with repair measures is crucial. In this webinar, participants learn that conflict and big emotions are not the enemies. Couples are introduced to the Gottman repair checklist and shown how the tool applied to real-life scenarios. When managed responsibly, honestly and with care, even the most intense stress, is something that can make a relationship stronger.
Do you know your love language? What are the things that make the people in your life feel truly loved and supported? During this time when we are all being encouraged to socially distance, it is normal to feel some loneliness, and perhaps even a bit lost at times. In this webinar, Cynthia Smith offers creative ideas about how to have our emotional needs met, and experience meaningful connection with others, during this challenging time.
In this webinar, Grant outlines various types of grief that might be present for people in light of the COVID19 pandemic. The mindfulness practice of GLAD is introduce, as is the mindfulness practice of Self-Compassion, based on the work of Kristin Neff. This webinar concludes with a Self-Compassion Meditation.
When times get challenging, personally or globally, anxiety often rises. In this video, learn how and why your anxious brain responds the way it does, and some practical tools for increasing your peace.
When faced with big life changes and difficult topics, it can be challenging as parents to find the right balance of giving information and protecting your kids. The COVID-19 crisis has created a lot of uncertainty and brought with it significant change for families. In this talk, Lindsey McColl, of River's Edge Counselling Centre, shares ideas for supporting kids through these changes, while managing their emotional needs and your own.
In this webinar, Andrea explores the challenges associated with parenting and schooling children while maintaining social distance. Topics include structure and routine, managing family conflicts and providing emotional support at home.
We find ourselves in unprecedented times. The stress and anxiety we are currently dealing with is something most of us have never had to face in our lifetime. Amidst the uncertainty, even ten minutes of mindfulness meditation a day can help calm your nervous system, enabling you to find a sense of inner peace.
In the first webinar of his series, Grant provides viewers with a brief history of mindfulness, discussing what mindfulness is, including a description of the two types of mindfulness practices. Grant also reveals some of the research finding pertaining to mindfulness meditation. Included in this webinar is a short Breathing Meditation and a Gratitude Meditation.
This talk is for anyone searching to anchor themselves during this challenging time of social distancing, isolation, working from home, kids at home, and high anxiety. When we centre ourselves, it can have a profound impact on our outlook and on our relationships with others, including our partners, spouses, children, and our community. In her clear and gentle manner, Kjariene shares some perspectives and simple exercises for finding a sense of balance and centering yourself.
In this Webinar, you will learn how to identify family values and rules, and use them to guide your family during an uncertain time. Our lives have changed with the COVID 19 pandemic and they will continue to evolve again as the relaunch strategies roll out. Christine provides some guidance and ideas on how to help identify the values and rules that will help guide your family in the direction you and your kiddos choose.