Feeling overwhelmed, stressed or burned out?
Learn practical skills to navigate stress and life’s challenges!
The Art of Living Mindfully (ALM) is an eight or twelve-week, physician-facilitated mindfulness program for adults in British Columbia whose lives are being affected by stress-related physical or mental health challenges. Through guided instruction, practice and group discussion, ALM introduces practical mindfulness meditation and cognitive behavioural strategies that can help you respond to stress with greater awareness and resilience.
ALM is a non-medication-based program. The physician-led group visits are billed to MSP, although a registration fee applies.
What to expect
- Eight or twelve weekly group sessions
- Sessions lasting approximately 90 – 120 minutes
- Guidance from a BC physician trained in mindfulness-based care
- Practical exercises you can use in everyday life
- Online classes available across BC, with some in-person classes also offered (Vancouver Island only)
Participants must be able to attend all scheduled sessions. Your health care provider can help determine whether ALM is appropriate for you.
How do I join ALM?
ALM requires a referral from an eligible health care provider. Speak with your family doctor or another provider involved in your care, such as a nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, registered clinical counsellor or midwife. Ask if ALM may be appropriate for you and, if so, whether they can submit a referral to BCalm.
Download the ALM referral form here
What if I don’t have a family doctor?
You still have options. You can:
- Visit a walk-in clinic or Urgent and Primary Care Centre.
- Book a virtual appointment with a BC doctor or nurse practitioner
- Call HealthLink BC for help finding an appropriate health care option.
- Register with the Health Connect Registry to be connected with a family doctor or nurse practitioner for ongoing care.
Explain that you feel ALM will be beneficial to your healthcare plan and ask if the provider can assess whether the program is appropriate for you and submit a referral on your behalf.
Virtual Health Care Providers include:
**BCalm does not partner with any other health care providers and can not endorse their services, assistance or advice.**
IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY, DO NOT SEEK VIRTUAL CARE! CALL 9-1-1 OR REPORT TO YOUR NEAREST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT!
Call HEALTHLINK BC at 8-1-1
Register with HEALTH CONNECT REGISTRY
What happens after I am referred?
Once BCalm receives a completed referral, you will be added to the ALM waitlist. Approximately every 4-6 weeks, or as new classes become available, we will email you the dates, times, format and registration information. You can then choose a class whose full schedule you are able to commit to.
Download and print info sheet and referral HERE
Still have questions or need help?
Send us a general question and a member of BCalm’s Administration team will respond privately. Please do not provide sensitive, personal or private medical information. We can answer general questions about ALM, the referral process, upcoming classes and what to expect.