Mindfulness-Based CBT Therapists in Toronto

Browse 5 therapists offering Mindfulness-Based CBT in Toronto. Find the right counsellor or psychotherapist for your needs.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a structured, evidence-based program that blends cognitive therapy techniques with mindfulness meditation practices. It was developed in the 1990s by psychologists Zindel Segal, Mark Williams, and John Teasdale, drawing on Jon Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. MBCT was originally designed to help people who had experienced three or more episodes of depression reduce the risk of future relapse. Research has since expanded its application to anxiety, stress, chronic pain, and other conditions where rumination and unhelpful thought patterns play a central role.

What to look for in a Mindfulness-Based CBT therapist on Purple Lotus

  • Formal MBCT training through a recognized program
  • Experience with depression relapse prevention or anxiety management
  • Comfort guiding mindfulness practices in a clinical context
  • Familiarity with the eight-week structured format

5 therapists for Mindfulness-Based CBT in Toronto

Browse 5 therapists offering Mindfulness-Based CBT in Toronto. Find the right counsellor or psychotherapist for your needs.

Paula Ghelman

Paula Ghelman

Do you struggle with anxiety that affects your relationships, work, or school? Do you feel exhausted, unmotivated, and overwhelmed by everything you need to do, and don't feel good enough? Do you wonder if you'll ever feel like you used to? We often put our needs last, justifying this by telling ourselves we have too much to accomplish first. Not addressing your depression, anxiety, or past trauma can lead to isolation, ruin your self-esteem, and make day-to-day life harder than it needs to be. However, there are ways to navigate these personal burdens and make life hopeful again, and you don't have to do it alone. I believe in a trauma-focused, strength-based approach and utilizing evidence-based practice to help you learn how to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and heal from trauma. By creating a safe space where you are not only heard but truly understood, you can start your transformative path towards a more fulfilling life. Providing individual online psychotherapy and an individualized DBT skills program, you will learn how to change negative self-talk, manage emotions, navigate relationships. Getting started is often the hardest part, and therapy help you create a holistic toolkit to enjoy happier, more fulfilling relationships, prioritize yourself, and feel lighter overall. Book a free consultation to take the first step towards a brighter, hopeful future.

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Diana Ben

Diana Ben

Hi, I’m Diana! As a first‑generation African Canadian, I understand the complexity of navigating cultural identity, family expectations, people‑pleasing, autonomy, and the stigma surrounding mental health. Many clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by unprocessed trauma, anxiety, and the pressure to hold everything together. They often feel alone in their experiences, struggle with confidence, and second‑guess their decisions and experiences. My goal is to offer a non-judgmental, compassionate, culturally sensitive space where you feel heard, respected, and supported. I help you understand the roots of your thoughts, emotions, and patterns so you can shift them with intention. My work focuses on identity, self‑awareness, and healing from trauma and anxiety in a space that feels grounding and supportive. My approach blends insight, compassion, and practical tools to help you create real, sustainable change! Therapy with me is about understanding yourself more deeply so you can move through life with clarity and confidence. I believe insight is a powerful tool for healing; it helps us break old cycles and create new possibilities by moving beyond the feeling of “I don’t know why.” If you’re ready to explore your inner world with support, I’m here to help!

Hybrid
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Natalie McMullen

Natalie McMullen

Top Specialities: trauma, anxiety, attachment issues I believe our life events shape us into who we are today. We weren’t BORN with an inner critic, perfectionism, or people-pleasing tendencies! Something happened in our lives that taught us those behaviours. Maybe we learned that it’s less painful to avoid confrontation than to risk rejection or failure. Maybe we learned that to ensure safety, we must be hypervigilant, constantly looking out for threats. Those behaviours likely helped you survive at one time, but now, they might be causing chronic anxiety, difficulties in your relationships, and low self-esteem. I will help you understand your emotions and unlearn beliefs and coping behaviours that are no longer serving you. We’ll learn how your past and present experiences are contributing to the issues you want to let go of, and carve a path forward. Therapy can help you process your experiences and develop coping skills to manage your reactions and emotions. I have experience helping with anxiety/stress/burnout, trauma, relationship/attachment issues, self-esteem, depression, emotion regulation, and borderline personality disorder. I’m especially passionate about treating developmental/attachment trauma to improve self-esteem, foster safety and security, and move towards secure attachment patterns. My Approach/Style As a therapist, I have a friendly, authentic, and warm demeanour. I believe a strong connection with your therapist is of crucial importance, so I take extra care to ensure I’m understanding your needs and perspective. (This doesn’t mean I’ll never challenge you!). I’m also happy to share appropriate information about my own life if helpful and relevant. I believe everyone has inner wisdom and resilience. I respect your autonomy, so I will always support you in coming to your own conclusions and finding your own solutions. But I also don’t shy away from sharing different insights and perspectives, or giving guidance and advice if needed. Types of Therapy After spending some time getting to know you, I’ll apply the therapy techniques that best suit your concerns. I use techniques informed by schema therapy, inner child work, IFS, ACT, CBT, DBT, EFT, mindfulness, and attachment theory. I am also trained in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy, which is an evidence-based and WHO-recommended treatment for trauma and PTSD. If you’d like to learn more, please reach out for a free consultation! *Please note, I am located in Toronto, and my working hours are as follows: Tuesday and Wednesday: 11am-7pm Eastern Time Thursday: 1pm-7pm Eastern time Friday: 10am-5pm Eastern Time

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Jan Krynicki

Jan Krynicki

Hey there, I'm Jan! I offer a safe, non-judgmental, and unbiased space for therapy and counseling in an easy-going, relatable way. I have done my BSc in Psychology at the VU Amsterdam and finished my MSc in Clinical Psychology at Erasmus University Rotterdam. I have worked as a therapist/counselor in Cape Town, South Africa which exposed me to working with diverse groups of people. I have finished my Master's thesis on mindfulness practice and its effects on students in regards to burnout and fatigue. However, I am also trained in motivational interviewing, ACT, and CBT with a constant drive to keep learning. I believe that having a great therapeutic relationship is really important for a good outcome in therapy. I aim to be the therapist that doesn’t recite word for word what they learned in university textbooks but one that integrates therapeutic techniques into tailored sessions all while making it feel natural and comfortable for the client. The first intake session is always free! Ask me about my student rate!

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Kinza Jat

Kinza Jat

Have you ever felt caught between who you are and who others expect you to be? Perhaps you are carrying the weight of discrimination, cultural pressures, or the lingering feeling of never fully belonging. As a second-generation Canadian raised by immigrant parents and someone who holds multiple marginalized identities, I understand how difficult it can be to navigate the space between different worlds. I offer a warm, affirming, and culturally sensitive environment where individuals aged 14 and up can slow down, feel understood, and reconnect with themselves. As a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and MA in Counselling Psychology student working under clinical supervision, I take a client-centred and collaborative approach rooted in psychodynamic therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and mindfulness-based practices to foster insight, explore patterns, and support meaningful change. Much like a flower that blooms when given the right conditions, I see therapy as a space where growth unfolds when safety and understanding are present. Together, we can cultivate deeper self-awareness and draw on the resilience that already lives within you. If this resonates, I invite you to reach out for a free 20-minute consultation.

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Looking beyond Toronto? Browse all Mindfulness-Based CBT therapists in Canada.

Mindfulness-Based CBT therapists in Toronto — at a glance

accepting new clients
5/ 5
offer online sessions
5/ 5
offer sliding scale fees
4/ 5

Frequently asked questions

What is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy used for?

MBCT is most commonly used to prevent relapse in people who have experienced recurrent depression. It is also used for anxiety, stress, chronic pain, and low mood. The approach teaches mindfulness practices alongside cognitive therapy skills to help people relate differently to difficult thoughts and feelings.

How effective is MBCT for depression?

Multiple randomized controlled trials show that MBCT reduces the risk of depression relapse by roughly 43 to 50 percent in people with three or more prior episodes. It is recommended by clinical guidelines in the UK for recurrent depression. Research on anxiety and other conditions is also growing.

Do I need to have meditated before to benefit from MBCT?

No prior meditation experience is required. MBCT programs introduce practices gradually, starting with short, accessible exercises. Therapists guide participants through the techniques step by step. Being new to mindfulness is not a barrier to starting.

How long does MBCT take?

The standard MBCT program runs eight weeks, with sessions typically lasting around two hours in a group format or one hour individually. There is also significant home practice between sessions. After completing the program, some people continue with follow-up or periodic booster sessions.

Is MBCT the same as mindfulness meditation?

MBCT uses mindfulness meditation practices, but it is a structured clinical program, not simply meditation instruction. It adds cognitive therapy elements focused on recognizing depression warning signs and changing your relationship to difficult thoughts, guided by a trained therapist.

Can MBCT be done online?

Yes. MBCT is well-suited to online delivery. Research supports the effectiveness of online and video-based formats. Many therapists trained in MBCT offer individual sessions or structured group programs remotely. Check each therapist profile for the formats they offer.

How is MBCT different from CBT?

Standard CBT aims to change the content of unhelpful thoughts by challenging and restructuring them. MBCT focuses on changing your relationship to thoughts, learning to observe them without getting caught up in them. Both approaches work with cognition, but through different mechanisms.

How do I find an MBCT therapist in Toronto?

Browse therapists in Toronto who list Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy as a specialty. Look for providers with formal MBCT training and experience with depression or anxiety. Check whether they offer the structured eight-week program individually or in a group format.

Is MBCT covered by insurance in Toronto?

Coverage depends on your extended health benefits and the therapist's designation. If your therapist in Toronto is a registered psychologist, psychotherapist, or social worker, MBCT sessions may be reimbursable. Review your plan for eligible provider types and annual limits.

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