NATIONAL MINDFULNESS DISCUSSION SERIES: MINDFULNESS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE IN CANADA

Amidst the global decline in mental health, there is an urgent call for heightened access to support.  Mindfulness training can be integrated into various spaces as a helpful strategy for navigating our increasingly complex world. When mindfulness is offered as a group intervention, it offers a holistic, efficient, and cost-effective approach to cultivating well-being. But how accessible is mindfulness in clinical settings in Canada? Do health authorities and insurers recognize the potential of this often-overlooked, cost-saving approach that can both enhance and preserve health?

Join us on Zoom for our next National Mindfulness Discussion Series. "Mindfulness in Clinical Practice in Canada: How integrated it is so far?" Our distinguished panel of clinicians will offer their perspectives on the current landscape.

The four clinicians are the following:

Dr. Kasim Al-Mashat, R. Psych., CFM UMass Certified MBSR Teacher

Dr Kasim is a Registered Psychologist, public speaker, and Certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teacher through the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Medical School and MBSR teacher trainer.

He is the founder of the Centre for Mindfulness Canada (CFMC), in Vancouver. CFMC is recognized by Global Mindfulness Collaborate (GMC), which was formed in partnership with the Mindfulness Center at Brown University. Kasim has completed a six-month silent meditation retreat in Myanmar, and presented a TEDx talk entitled, “How mindfulness meditation redefines pain, happiness & satisfaction”. He is also Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher/Trainer. To learn more about Dr. Kasim visit www.drkasimalmashat.com or www.centreformindfulness.ca

Dr. Dzung Vo, MD

Dzung X. Vo, MD, (pronouns: he/him; how to pronounce) is a pediatrician specializing in Adolescent Medicine, founding Director of the BC Children’s Hospital Centre for Mindfulness, and a Clinical Associate Professor and Division Head for the Division of Adolescent Health and Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, at BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In partnership with Dr. Jake Locke, Dr. Vo co-developed MARS-A (Mindful Awareness and Resilience Skills for Adolescents), an eight-week mindfulness training program for adolescents with depressive symptoms, with or without other co-occurring chronic illness or chronic pain.

Dr. Vo also developed a Mindful Healing course for health care providers, adapted from Mindful Practice (Ron Epstein and Michael Krasner) and other sources. Dr. Vo is the author of The Mindful Teen: Powerful Skills to Help You Handle Stress One Moment at a Time.

Angie Kingma, BA (Hons), BHScOT, RP

Angie Kingma is a Registered Psychotherapist, with a career spanning over 24 years across various mental health and chronic pain domains. Her expertise is built on a robust foundation of working in diverse settings such as home care, in-patient, and out-patient psychiatry, as well as within the auto insurance sector.

Angie's commitment to professional development is evident in her extensive training in Mindfulness from prestigious institutions like the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Centre for Mindfulness, the Centre for Mindfulness Studies, and NeuroNova, among others. As a certified Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) teacher and mentor, Angie brings a depth of understanding and compassion to her therapeutic interactions.

She is also a certified teacher of Mindfulness-Based Chronic Pain Management (MBCPM), demonstrating her dedication to supporting individuals navigating the complexities of chronic pain with grace and resilience. Angie's long-standing association with Trillium Health Partners, particularly at the Credit Valley Hospital site, spans nearly two decades, highlighting her commitment to the field and her significant contribution to the mental health community.

In addition to her clinical work, Angie is an esteemed faculty member at the Centre for Mindfulness Studies and the University of Toronto/NeuroNova, where she imparts her knowledge and insights to aspiring practitioners. Angie is the proud owner of a private practice clinic, Mindfulness for Health, where she and her associated provide psychotherapy to their clients. Her dedication to maintaining an ongoing daily Mindfulness Meditation practice and regularly attending retreats speaks to her personal commitment to the principles she teaches.

Outside of her professional life, Angie is a devoted mother to three daughters. She cherishes being active, traveling, and immersing herself in nature, reflecting her holistic approach to wellbeing and her passion for life. Angie Kingma's career and personal journey are a testament to her unwavering dedication to mental health, mindfulness, and the betterment of individuals' lives through compassionate, evidence-based, and trauma-informed care.

Dr. Allen Steverman, MD, CCFP, FCFP

Dr. Allen Steverman MD, CCFP, FCFP is a family physician with a focused practice in chronic pain and a particular interest in mindfulness-based approaches to chronic pain management.

He is an attending physician at the pain management centre of the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine at the Université de Montréal, and adjunct professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McGill University. At McGill, he is a faculty member of Programs in Whole Person Care and course director for the Mindful Medical Practice course for medical students.

He is an instructor in Mindfulness-Based Chronic Pain Management Facilitation at University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (UTSCS). He also co-designed and teaches Trauma-Sensitive Trauma-Informed Mindfulness Facilitation at UTSCS.