J. Woychuk Counselling and Psychotherapy

12/06/2025

Stop trying to "do" mindfulness. Start simply living. 🌿

Many of us avoid mindfulness because we think it requires clearing our minds completely or sitting still for hours. We treat it like a chore, struggling against our own thoughts.

But what if mindfulness was as natural and easy as taking a breath?

I’m hosting a new 2-hour online workshop via Mindful Groups called, Simply Living: An online Mindfulness Workshop for Beginners.

Led by a Certified Clinical Counsellor, this session is 100% jargon-free and beginner-friendly. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of what mindfulness actually is (and isn't), plus a take-away guide to help you practice with ease.

👇 Click below to learn more and register: https://mindful-groups.com/simply-living-a-mindfulness-workshop-for-beginners-and-those-who-think-mindfulness-is-not-for-them

Mindfulness isn't a chore—it's your natural state. Join this online beginner's workshop with a Clinical Counsellor to remove the mental noise. Sign up now

12/01/2025

Does your mind ever feel like a crowded room you can’t leave? 🧠💭

We all carry a heavy burden of thought—replaying the past, worrying about the future, and judging ourselves in the present. It’s exhausting, and worse, it can feel like that voice in your head is who you are.

But what if you could put that burden down?

In my latest blog post, I discuss the concept of "disidentification"—learning to observe your thoughts rather than being ruled by them. I also share details about my upcoming online therapy group, where we will use Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now to build a practice of true presence together. 🌿

Read the full post and see if this group is the support you’ve been looking for: https://www.jwoychukcounselling.ca/post/tiredofoverthinking-howtobreakfreefromanxietywiththepowerofnow

Have you ever felt completely exhausted by your own mind? Ruminating on past mistakes, endlessly worrying about future scenarios, or just carrying a constant sense of anxiety? It can truly feel like a heavy burden—a constant internal noise that dictates your mood and steals your peace.Eckhart Toll...

11/25/2025

Mindfulness can completely shift how you show up in conversations — especially during conflict.
Learn more →

Relationships can bring out the best in us — and the most reactive parts of us.Mindfulness helps you recognize when you're slipping into: • defensiveness • shutting down • people pleasing • overexplaining • anger or reactivityThrough mindful awareness, communication becomes clearer, calm...

11/22/2025

Do you ever react more intensely than you want to?
This is your pain-body being activated — and mindfulness can help you calm it.
Read more:

Have you ever reacted more strongly than a situation seemed to deserve?Have you felt anger, shame, defensiveness, or anxiety hit you like a wave?That’s the “pain-body” — the emotional imprint of past experiences that gets activated in the present.Mindfulness helps you recognize these trigger...

11/20/2025

Overthinking

Feeling stuck in overthinking or constant mental noise?
This week’s blog is all about stepping out of the mind and back into the present moment.
Read here: https://www.jwoychukcounselling.ca/post/awakening-from-overthinking-how-mindfulness-helps-you-step-out-of-mental-noise

11/06/2025

Feeling overwhelmed? Discover the power of being present in a supportive community. Join our mindfulness therapy groups inspired by Eckhart Tolle. Limited spaces—reserve yours today!

Words from past participants:
“This exploration of the Now with John was deeply moving and inspiring. It was a beautiful reminder of how to savour my days and learn from my heart.” - Suzannah.

John Woychuk is offering both in-person therapy groups in Nanaimo, BC as well as online therapy groups offered via Zoom. Check out the links below to see which groups are being offered currently.

10/26/2025

The Fall in-person group was wonderful and it’s time to offer this group in an online format to give access to those who were not able to join in person.
Practicing the Power of Now Therapy Group - Online Version:

The Fall therapy group went well and it’s time to offer this group in an online format to give access to those who were not able to join in person. *Bonus, bring a friend, family member or partner to with you and you each receive 10% off.As a counsellor, I see that all of us are carrying around th...

10/23/2025

As a counsellor, I’m always looking for gentle, effective ways to help my clients connect with themselves more deeply. One approach I use is Gendlin’s Focusing—a body-centered technique that invites you to listen to your own bodily felt sense as a path to understanding and healing.A Different ...

06/29/2025

Would you like to be more present in your day to day life?

Join our upcoming Therapy Group: Building Your Presence Practice — a supportive space to explore how to balance "being" and "doing" in today’s achievement-driven world.

📅 Wednesdays, Sept 10 – Oct 15, 2025
🕕 Evening sessions
📍 In-person at the Bethlehem Retreat Centre in Nanaimo, BC
🎓 Led by Canadian Certified Counsellor, John Woychuk, M.A., C.C.C.

In this 6-week group, you’ll:
🌿 Learn to be more present in daily life: Reflect on aspects of the human mind that challenge our ability to stay present and how to overcome them
🛠️ Explore presence practices using Eckhart Tolle's Practicing the Power of Now as a supportive framework for exploration
🧠 Reconnect with the essence of who you are
🤝 Share experiences in a small, guided group setting
Being more present in your life is not something you need to do, it's a shift in where you place your attention. When you turn your attention inward, you discover your own peace, joy and wisdom that is always available.
📌 Spots are limited— reserve yours today.
🔗 Learn More & Register:

Balancing “Being” and “Doing” in an Accomplishment Focused World/ Wednesday evenings from September 10 - October 15, 2025. Facilitated by Canadian Certified Counsellor, John Woychuk. This is an in-person therapy group for adults in Nanaimo and area who are interested in working as a facilita...

06/15/2024

Check out my blog post: Understanding the Impact of Childhood Trauma on Mental Health https://wix.to/dIwG4Tk

Childhood experiences have long been acknowledged as a critical factor in shaping an individual's mental health. The Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, developed by Dr. Richard C. Schwartz, offers a unique perspective on how these early experiences influence psychological well-being. By viewing th...

12/28/2023

Read about how anxiety is treated in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

In the complex landscape of mental health, anxiety stands as a pervasive challenge affecting millions worldwide. Amidst various therapeutic approaches, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has emerged as a transformative and empowering method for addressing anxiety. The ACT approach to anxiety is...

09/11/2023

Learn how cognitive defusion (one of 6 core principles in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) can lead to a significant increase in emotional freedom.

A cornerstone of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), cognitive defusion, offers a unique perspective on handling our thoughts and emotions. In this article, we delve into the concept of cognitive defusion, its significance within ACT, and how it can be a key to unlocking emotional freedom and w...