Groups

CMHA Peel Dufferin offers these mental health and addiction group programs for adults in our service area. For more information and to register for any of the groups listed, call (905) 451-2123. Some groups may have additional requirements for participation. *Indicates a peer-led group.

Anger Solutions – Explore strategies for effectively resolving anger and taking control of your emotions. The group will discuss the need to take responsibility for your feelings, understand how anger develops, various anger styles, body language, communication skills, forgiveness, and releasing residual anger. This is a closed group which runs periodically throughout the year.

Date and time to be announced.

Anxiety Group* – This group focuses on peer support, education, skill building and provides clients with an opportunity for discussion about assorted topics related to Anxiety. Options are available for both virtual and call in.

Every Monday 7:00-8:00pm, every Tuesday 10:00-11:00am

Baking Group* – calling all lovers of baked goods! This once-a-month, virtual event for clients brings us together for an afternoon of baking, learning, sharing and all things yummy. Open to all levels of expertise! Recipes are sent out ahead of time for you to gather your ingredients, links are sent via e-mal to join, set to 350° for 90 minutes & enjoy- muffin to worry about in this group! We would be berry happy to have you join us. Connect with Debby or Sylvanna to register. This is a virtual only group.

Date and time to be announced.

Bipolar Group – Bipolar is a complex disorder that can create multiple challenges in an individual’s life. The bipolar group is a peer led group that focuses on understanding the basics of the illness, its treatment, and management techniques. It is not a substitute for treatment from a mental health care provider or a doctor but can be used as a basis for questions and discussion about living with bipolar. Options are available for both virtual and call in.

Every Wednesday 11:00am-12:00pm

Career Center Drop In – Open to CMHA PD clients needing support with resumes, job search, volunteer search, and other employment related needs! Space is limited – members should connect with Richard or Fran to register each week. In person at Recovery West, 601-7700 Hurontario St, Brampton.

Every Wednesday 9:00am-4:00pm

Craft Group* – Come out and craft with your peers! Arts and crafts promote social connection, give you a sense of pride, and can have the same benefits of mindfulness meditation. Arts and crafts can alleviate symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression while improving motor function and slowing cognitive decline. Options are available for both virtual and call in.

Every Friday 1:00-2:30pm

Creative Writing* – This group allows individuals to express themselves and/or their experiences positively through different mediums of writing.  Participants will explore and build virtually upon skills such as poetry writing and formation, song and lyric analysis, prompt writing and forms of journaling. Open to all expertise levels, our aim is to provide an environment of learning and growth for all those included. Options are available for both virtual and call in.

Every Monday 1:30-3:00pm

Depression Group* – This is an open forum where members bring forward depression topics such as coping, self-care and recovery. Peer support is a key element of this group. This is a teleconference only group.

Every Monday 11:00am-12:00pm, every Thursday 6:30-7:30pm

Emotional Regulation* – This group is designed to help you learn skills and tools to cope with overwhelming emotions. Topics include PTSD/Trauma, Mindfulness, Grounding, Mind/Body Connection, Triggers and Safety. Options are available for both virtual and call in.

Every Monday 10:00-11:00am

Hearing Voices* – This group is for folks who hear voices and would like to be supported. Group members will learn coping strategies like grounding techniques, relaxation, and boundaries. Options are available for both virtual and call in.

Every Monday 2:30-3:30pm

Getting a Good Night’s Sleep – Feeling tired? Tossing and turning at night? Trouble falling or staying asleep? This educational session explores: the importance of quality sleep, tips on catching more Z’s, practicing relaxation techniques, where to get help and more. Getting a Good Night’s Sleep is a single session workshop, and registration is required. Options are available for both virtual and call in.

Every 4^th Tuesday of the month 2:00-3:3pm

Living Life to the Full – Learn to feel more confident, worry less, and find new ways of dealing with whatever life may throw at you. Living Life to the Full offers enjoyable and interactive sessions that will help participants understand their feelings, thoughts, and behaviours, and what to do about them. Developed by Dr. Chris Williams, a leader in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Living Life to the Full helps people make a difference in their lives. This is a closed group which runs periodically through the year.

Wednesdays 1:30-3:00pm, running April 19-June 7, 2023

Member’s Meeting – A monthly meeting of Recovery West members, staff, and management to provide updates, discuss program matters, and provide feedback. All members of Recovery West and CMHA Peel Dufferin groups are welcome and encouraged to join.

Every 3^rd Thursday of the month 10:00-10:30am

Mindful Awareness Stabilization Training (MAST) – MAST groups teach emotion regulation skills through education and mindfulness practice. Mindfulness is present moment awareness – paying attention to our thoughts, emotions, and feelings in the body as they are happening. The practice of mindful awareness can help us to feel better, especially if we are struggling with difficult emotions, fluctuations in our mood, or physical pain. Participants will learn what is mindfulness, how the brain and body process stress and emotions, and develop resources for self-care. This is a closed group which runs periodically through the year.

Date and time to be announced.

Mindfulness – Inspired by the principles of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), the aim of this group is to support participants as they develop skills to manage the unpleasant aspects of life while cultivating awareness and gratitude to appreciate pleasurable times as well. Options are available for both virtual and call in.

Every Tuesday 2:00-3:00pm

Mindfulness Meditation* – This group explores various methods of cultivating mindfulness in our lives using meditation. Objectives of this group include following along to guided meditations such as body scans, self-compassion, and lovingkindness as well as discussing simple tips and tools to incorporate mindfulness into daily life. Options are available for both virtual and call in.

Every Friday 11:00-11:30

Parallel Realities* – An open peer led group for individuals who experience parallel forms of reality (psychosis). This is a safe space to celebrate our exceptionalities and support each other in identification of triggers or life challenges that impede our ability to fully participate and achieve our life goals. Our aim is to provide practical skills and strategies to lessen the intensity of an episode, manage symptoms and build a community with others who share a similar experience. Jump down the rabbit hole with us where anything is possible. Options are available for both virtual and call in.

Every Thursday 2:00-3:00pm

Queer Minds – Queer Minds is a social space for individuals that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, two-spirit, trans, asexual, questioning, etc. aged 16+. Queer Minds is a group for individuals to connect with community and gain knowledge and support on various LGBTQ+ topics/issues. This group is a community collaboration between CMHA Peel Dufferin and MOYO Community Services. Options are available for both virtual and call in.

Every Wednesday 5:30-7:00pm

Recovery Chat* – A group that allows for social interaction and discussion regarding any subjects related to recovery. Space is limited – members should contact drop in staff to register and attend each week. In person at Recovery West, 601-7700 Hurontario St, Brampton.

Every Wednesday 2:30-3:30pm

Seeking Safety – Intended for those who have experienced trauma and addictions, this group will help to identify flags, define trauma and its effects, discuss substance use and its effects, as well as identify helpful grounding strategies and safer coping. Group participants will also learn how to take good care of themselves and ask for help in recovery. This is a closed group which runs periodically throughout the year.

Date and time to be announced.

Self Esteem* – A group designed to increase education, self-awareness and tools in all things self-esteem. Discussion with peers is paired with a psychoeducational model, creating an open space to learn and discuss self-esteem, self-worth and all things in between. Group topics include (but are not limited to) core beliefs, self-evaluation and challenging negative assumptions. Options are available for both virtual and call in.

Every Tuesday 11:00am-12:00pm

SMART Recovery – This group supports individuals who have chosen to abstain (or are considering abstinence) from any type of addictive behaviours – substances, activities, or both.  This group teaches participants how to change self-defeating thinking, emotions, and actions while working towards long-term satisfaction and quality of life. Please note group is offered on the Zoom platform and is open to all folks in the community. Options are available for both virtual and call in. Meeting links also available at https://www.smartrecovery.org/.

Every Tuesday 1:00-2:30pm, every Wednesday 3:30-5:00pm, every Thursday 12:30-2:00pm

Trauma & PTSD Basics* – This 4-week, peer-led group is open to clients and community members who have experience with or questions about trauma.  This is a closed group which runs periodically throughout the year.

Date and time to be announced.

Voices & Parallel Realities 101* – This peer led, module-based group covers a variety of topics designed to support you in learning skills and techniques to manage your experience of Voice Hearing and Parallel Realities (psychosis). It is designed for those who are new to Voice Hearing/Parallel Reality experiences and wish to learn management strategies that can complement other supports and treatments, or those who wish to revisit educational information to support their ongoing recovery.  Space is limited – members should phone facilitators to register and attend each week. In person at Recovery West, 601-7700 Hurontario St, Brampton.

Every Tuesday 11:00am-12:00pm

Women’s Group* – This group’s aim is to empower women by reinforcing positive coping strategies for both systemic and interpersonal issues in women’s lives. This group is open to all women and femmes. Options are available for both virtual and call in.

Every Thursday 11:00am-12:00pm