Welcome! My name is Dar Debrecen. I am a Health Educator and Wellness Counsellor at AVI Health Clinic. I also teach yoga, meditation and a combination of Western and Buddhist psychology. I have designed and will be running this Mindfulness Based Program for Trauma and Personal Development.
IS THIS PROGRAM FOR YOU?
This Mindfulness Based Program for Trauma and Personal Development is for anyone wanting to learn more about mental, emotional, and spiritual health. The program is ideal for anyone wanting to understand and overcome anxiety and depression, but also for those wanting more powerful tools for self-development.
If you're interested in learning more about the biology of trauma, personal psychology, attachment theory, mindfulness and meditaton, then this program is for you.
You don't need any prior knowledge of psychology or meditation to participate, but even the experienced will learn something new!
WHEN AND WHERE DOES THE PROGRAM RUN?
*I intend to run the program six or seven times a year. If the dates below don't work for you but you're interested in attending a future class, email me at dar.debrecen@avi.org and I'll add you to a mailing list to notify you of future classes!
The program is 15 hours spread over four weeks.
The next run of the program will be held on:
Week 1: Mindfulness and Self-Awareness
Friday, May 3rd from 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Week 2: Cultivating Positivity and Wellbeing
Friday, May 10th from 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Week 3: Exploring Negative Thoughts, Feelings and Trauma
Friday, May 17th from 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Week 4: Examining Self and Healing Relationships
Friday, May 24th from 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Week 5: Visualization for Healing and Transformation
Friday, May 31st from 6:00pm - 9:00pm
On Going Access: Participants are welcome to attend future sessions for free. After going through the program the first time, you will receive an email once a month with the upcoming classes and you're free to attend one or all of them. This means you can easily can attend any classes that you missed or want to repeat.
Where: AVI Health Clinic located at 102-55 Victoria Road, Nanaimo BC.
WHAT WILL I LEARN OR GAIN BY ATTENDING:
- A clearer sense of what you want and fear in life - and how to get it.
- A better understanding of how your past has shaped your mental, emotional and behavioural patterns.
- Knowledge about trauma and neurobiology.
- New and healthy ways of relating to your body, thoughts and emotions.
- Insight into your relationships and relationship patterns.
- A chance to learn and practice various methods of mindfulness and meditation.
You will leave the course feeling:
- There's a lot more to mindfulness and meditation than you thought.
- Feeling far more capable of practicing mindfulness and meditation than you were before.
- Inspired to heal from your past and realize your true potential.
WHAT WILL BE COVERED IN THE COURSE?
Each week I will summarise what we've learned so far and every week we will explore a different kind of meditation.
- The first week will explore Concentration and Mindfulness based meditation.
- The second week will explore the Cultivation of Positive Feelings.
- The third week we will discuss the Exploration of Negative Feelings.
- The fourth week's meditation will explore the Nature of Self.
We sit in a circle and I will some teachings and guide a practice of meditation, but you are invited to share your thoughts and ask questions as we go along. Conversation and discussion will be encouraged.
There will be a ten to fifteen minute break.
Each session will end with a recommended daily practice, and everyone will receive a point form summary of the lesson and recommend practice via email afterward.
Week 1: Mindfulness and Self-Awareness
The first session will be spent developing an overview of the human condition.
You will learn about mindfulness and meditation in general and have a chance to practice. Participants will be guided to reflect on what they want, what they fear, and how their thoughts and beliefs give rise to emotions.
This will help participants simplify their goals (and problems) in such a way that makes them more manageable, and which lays the foundation for further introspection. This discussion helps us take more responsibiltiy for our thoughts and feelings and provides the tools by which we begin cultivating a more patient and compassionate approach to ourselves.
Week 2: Cultivating Positivity and Wellbeing
The second session will discuss the Cultivation of Positive Feelings. You will receive tips and guidance on how to cultivate a successful practice of meditation. We will define a True Cause of Happiness, and look at ways we can bring more joy and positivty into our daily lives. We will also discuss some links between physical and mental health.
This will help participants enjoy meditation and help them cultivate more presence and joy in their day to day lives. These meditations can be used for self-development, cultivating confidence, patience, love and compassion and more.
Week 3: Exploring Negative Thoughts, Feelings and Trauma
In the third session we’ll discuss the cause and origin of negative thoughts, feelings and beliefs. We will discuss what trauma is and how to heal from it. We will look at how our early life has shaped the way we relate to our own thoughts and feelings.
We will talk about how messages from early childhood, culture and society, impact the way we see ourselves, and how to cultivate true self-acceptance. We will use mindfulness and meditation to become more comfortable observing and sitting with challenging thoughts and feelings.
This will help participants understand why they are the way they are, and why other people are the way they are. This will paint a clearer picture of how your own beliefs create the negative thoughts and feelings you exprience, and how they limit your ability to feel free and joyful. The session will provide the tools you need to heal your psyche and realize your potential.
Week 4-5: Visualization for Healing and Transformation
In the fourth and fifth sessions, we will talk some more about our self-concept, and how to explore the nature of Self in meditation. We will talk about Mindful Journalling and Memory Revision as powerful practices for healing and personal development. There will be more time in this session for participants to ask questions, and for me to elaborate on topics already covered.
If people are interested, I can discuss other spiritual practices like how to work with energy in meditation, talk more about Buddhism, chakras, and ways of bringing ritual into our lives.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The program is sponsored by AVI Health Clinic.
I want the Mindful Health and Wellness program to be affordable and sustainable.
There are three payment options to choose from:
- The Rebalancing Access is $60 and this is for those with more than enough financial resources and a desire to support access for others.
- The Fair Access is $40 and is for those with sufficient financial resources who can pay fair value for the experience.
- The Supported Access is $20 and is for those with currently limited financial resources who will benefit from access supplemented by the community.
*Cost is for the whole five weeks and on-going access to future classes. Payment can be made with cash or by e-transfer (the details will come in your confirmation email).
INTERESTED IN COUNSELLING?
In my current role, I am able to offer free counselling to queer and 2SLGBTQI+ people (teenagers included).
All you have to do is fill in this intake form. I will get in touch with you to schedule a session. I can meet in person on Monday's, and online during other days of the week.
Feel free to email me at dar.debrecen@avi.org or text me at 1-250-818-5540 if you have any questions about me and my experience, to know if we're compatible.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR YOUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH:
I also run a free, weekly Yoga and Meditation class on Thursday evenings from 6:00-8:00pm that's suitable to beginners, but challenging enough for everyone to enjoy.
You don't have to know anything about yoga or meditation to enjoy my class. I aim to be patient, kind, and thorough in my explanation of the practice, and will do my best to adapt both the practice and my teachings to your level of ability, so feel free to join, wherever you may be on your journey.
At each meeting we will:
1. Do a Short Warm Up
2. Do Active Yoga and Pilates Movements
3. Do Some Passive Stretching (Hatha Yoga)
4. Do a Brief Breathing Practice (Breath of Fire / WimHof Method)
5. Talk About Psychology/Dharma and Meditation
6. Practice Meditation
7. Have a Chance To Share and Ask Questions
Space is limited. You can learn more about the group and register for classes here: https://www.meetup.com/mindfulness-nanaimo/