Mindfulness the S.M.A.R.T. Way
(Stress Management and Resiliency Techniques)
Trauma-Sensitive, SEL*-informed and EDI**-Aware
*SEL = Social and Emotional Learning | **EDI = Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
SMART - A 9-Session Renewal Program
SMART is an evidence-based course that trains participants to better manage work-related and personal stress, in order to cultivate emotional balance.
SMART integrates the teachings, practices and research from (MBSR) Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, (MSC) Mindful Self-compassion, Emotional Literacy, Mindful Movement and draws on the field of Positive Psychology to include Kindness and Compassion training to address the specific needs and challenges of helping professionals.
Each session consists of presentations, group discussions and experiential practices in mindfulness, including mindful movement, visualization, and mindfulness meditation. A 4-hour silent retreat and weekly home practice is also part of the course. Previous experience with mindfulness is not required.
Course Format: SMART workshops are delivered in two live formats: in-person and online. The 20-hour program is delivered in a workshop setting, consists of 8 x 2-hour sessions, a 4-hour silent retreat and includes home practice. Successful participants receive a smartEducation® Certificate of Completion.
Learning Outcomes: The course trains participants to:
- Manage stress through a greater understanding and control of emotions
- Employ self-care techniques to cultivate personal and professional resilience.
- Create effective strategies for relating to challenging situations.
- Enhance concentration and executive function (planning, decision-making, and impulse control).
- Revitalize purpose, personally and professionally
- Improve your overall mental and physical health
- Promote happiness through healthy habits of the mind
The sessions are engaging, interactive and highly participatory. SMART helps you develop inner strength and resilience to be with the challenges of life.
4 Modalities
smartEducation: The SMART program was originally designed to address the needs of educators (K-12 and post-secondary), professional support staff, mental health professionals and community leaders, involved in the education and care of children, youth, and young adults. THe program has since been implemented in post-secondary institutions as well as private practcie settings.
Who Should Attend
Education and helping professionals including teachers, educational assistants, child and youth workers, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, audiologists and speech-language pathologists, physiotherapists, student support staff as well as administrators and office staff.
smartNursing: The School of Nursing on the Okanagan campus of UBC is one of the first in North America to incorporate a mindfulness themed course in their curriculum. The smartNursing course is now offered to nurses and other health care professionals who would like to to deal in a better way with their own emotions and their own stress and learn real techniques to be able to manage the stress.
Who Should Attend
Health care professionals including nurses, therapists, nutritionists, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, audiologists and speech-language pathologists, physiotherapists as hospital administrators and office staff.
smartProfessional: The SMART program supports a culture of wellness within organizations to build the capacity of people and communities through trauma-informed training and practice, meeting the current and emerging training needs of organizations.
Who Should Attend
Organizational leaders, administrators and staff who are committed to creating healthy workplace environments.
Community Organizations, community and program leaders: Mindfulness Everyday is committed to providing mindfulness-based wellness programs for the staff of organizations that support children and youth, who are facing unprecedented challenges in terms of people and communities requiring services. The burn-out rate of those who work within these organizations is high. Our evidence-based, trauma-sensitive, SEL informed programs are designed to support the care-givers, by providing them with practical skills, strategies and practices as well as authentic self-care, in small group settings, that support the mental health and physical well-being of participants so that they can continue to support others in being an effective community of care.
smartEveryDay: The elements of the SMART program support wellness for an individual to better be with the ups and downs of life. Through practical practices and strategies, the program teaches participants to manage stress, self-regulate their emotions, and improve their communition skills.
Who Should Attend
People who want to positively impact their families, communities, countries and the world through intentional actions that ripple out from the indivdual into the community. Understanding that we are all interconnected in this fragile web of life, and that we can make a difference in our own lives and those around us.
Contact Angela Ventrice Director of Programs
FAQ's about SMART
Questions |
Answers |
What is SMART? |
An evidence-based, trauma-sensitive, SEL-informed program designed to address the needs of educators (Kindergarten to Grade 12) and professional support staff. |
What does SMART mean? |
Stress Management and Resiliency Techniques |
What is the course format? |
The 20-hour program is delivered in a workshop setting, consists of 8 x two- hour sessions, a 4-hour silent retreat and includes home practice. |
Is there a certificate available? |
Participants who have completed the requirements receive a smartEducation Certificate of Completion. |
What is ME responsible for? |
ME researches and manages the development of the evidence base for continual updating of the curriculum and training of SMART facilitators |
Who are the contacts at ME? |
Heidi Bornstein,
Director, SMART Ontario |
What materials are provided? |
SMART Participant Manual |
Is there home practice? |
There is a manageable amount of home practice – between 15-20 minutes per day. |
Who is SMART for? |
Educators and helping professionals, nurses, community organizational leaders and staff as well as organizations interested in creating a community of wellness. |
Who is SMART taught by? |
SMART facilitators have engaged in a 100+ comprehensive training pathway consisting of training programs (Foundations), practicums, mentoring and on-going professional development. |
Is SMART Evidence-based? |
SMARTeducation Research |
What do our SMART facilitators say about the program? |
Participants notice increased capacity to: |
What is the difference between SMART and MBSR? |
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Explicit teachings on intention, self-compassion, kindness, empathy and compassion
|
How is SMART delivered? |
SMART is delivered both In-Person in Ontario and BC, and ONLINE, in a method that is highly participatory, engaging, and interactive. |
How much does it cost to take the SMART 9-session program? |
SMART FEE Winter 2023= $500.00 per person CDN |
Is there a “Train the Trainer” program |
The SMART Facilitator Training Pathway is a 100+ hour program that involves direct teacher training programs, practicums, mentoring and on-going professional development |