What We Do

Empowering our youth with life coping skills, while we build mindful and compassionate communities.

This was the founding principle of our organization. We want to ensure that youth and young adults with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and the broad spectrum of mental illness associated with BPD, have access to the skills they need so that they can thrive. 

We have made the decision to close the Ashley Boca Mindfulness Foundation (ABMF) effective December 31, 2022.

This decision was not taken lightly. Over the last three years our work has brought together people impacted by Borderline Personality Disorder and the broad spectrum of mental illness associated with BPD so that we can thrive. We did this through:

  • 14 webinars with a total of 2,116 registrants
  • Holding 5 Wellness Support Groups (launched in 2022) with a total of 53 participants
  • Helping 176 people through our free, virtual tax clinic (launched in 2022)
  • Participating as a panelist during the Making a Difference workshop run by Gerstine Crisis Centre for Toronto Police Service
  • Engaging with 55 volunteers
  • Preparing the launch of the One-on-One Peer Support program with 11 volunteers with lived experience with BPD.



Webinars

Love, BPD & Communication

This webinar will discuss the ways that people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and their loved one’s tend to communicate. Communications styles may contribute to how symptoms of BPD occur. We will also discuss new interventions that involve working with both people with BPD and their loved ones to help improve BPD symptoms, relationship functioning, and family member’s mental health.

Radical Acceptance: Treating BPD

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a proven therapy for individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Radical Acceptance is one of the three reality acceptance skills that DBT teaches to help people find respite from emotional pain.

This webinar provides an overview of radical acceptance including evidence based support of why this practice is beneficial.

We will also share examples of practicing radical acceptance, have a demonstration/roleplay and discuss how to develop this practice.


The Mindfulness Movement: A virtual conversation with Rob Beemer

This webinar features a virtual discussion with the producer of The Mindfulness Movement movie, Rob Beemer.

The Mindfulness Movement is a feature documentary that profiles the growing number of people throughout society who believe mindfulness - a peaceful quality of attention anyone can develop by focusing on the present moment in a non-judgmental way – is the key to creating a healthier, happier world. For them, mindfulness is the way for anyone to make more moments matter in their lives. Featuring Deepak Chopra, Jewel, Dan Harris, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Sharon Salzberg, Daniel Goleman, Bill George, Diana Winston, George Mumford, Richard Davidson and many more.

BPD & Stigma: Life Beyond the Stigma

This webinar will discuss the stigma associated with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Topics covered will include an overview of existing stigmatizing beliefs, a discussion of how these beliefs can become internalized within individuals diagnosed with BPD, and the known negative outcomes accompanying stigma. Finally, this webinar will discuss how those living with BPD, family members of those living with BPD, and treatment providers may effectively address and respond to such stigma when it arises. Dr. Uliaszek will also be sharing opportunities for those interested in being part of her BPD stigma research.


In a Strange Land: Finding meaning and resilience after a sudden loss

This webinar will explore the journeys of people grieving a sudden loss from suicide, accident or sudden illness. We will discuss bringing new meaning to a shattered life. The words of survivors highlight the discovery of hope and resilience after a sudden death.

Shake the Dirt Off & Move Forward

Can adversity make you stronger? Motivational speaker, Michael Arterberry, will share his personal story of trauma to show you that you can either let challenge destroy your life or use it to shape the life you want. With his background in social work and personal and relational transformation, Michael will walk you through the effects of past and present trauma, including the most recent impact of society's imbalance, and show you how to experience a life of peace, fulfillment and possibility.



Food & Mood

Have you ever wondered how what you eat can impact brain structure and function? Are you curious to know what, if any role diet plays in mood? Registered Nutritionist, Anastasia Smith, will show how nutrition affects your emotional health and cognition. You'll learn which nutrients are essential to boosting concentration and focus, as well as how to balance neurotransmitters. You'll also learn how to stabilise blood sugar levels to prevent symptoms of anxiety and low mood, as well as covering the fascinating link between the gut and the brain and what to eat to keep your digestive system happy.

Put on a Happy Face? Dealing with emotions at work

The management and display of emotions has become a hidden job requirement for many Canadian employees. If you interact directly with clients or customers, you are often required to display certain “expected” emotions, while suppressing your true feelings.

For example, a barista is expected to serve “coffee with a smile” even if the customer has been rude and disrespectful. A nurse has to put away their own feelings of grief after losing a patient so that they can help their next patient. Emotions are a part of our human experience. They are the basis for which we experience happiness, peace, anger or strength…but what happens when our personal feelings and emotions clash with our work life? What are the consequences associated with this type of work activity?

Join Dr. Diana Singh and Dr. Shirin Khayambashi for a four-part series about emotional labour and its health consequences. This four-part series about emotional labour and its health consequences.



Validation in DBT and Beyond: The Importance of Understanding the Emotional Life of Your Clients, Your Loved Ones, and Yourself

Dr.Uliaszek reviews the six levels of validation discussed in Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) DBT, and provides examples of how to incorporate these tools in therapy. Topics covered include the pitfalls of invalidation in interpersonal relationships and how to bring a mindful, validating presence to interactions with friends, family, co-workers, and significant others...

Mindfulness in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy: An Introduction

Ms. Sonya Varma provides an introduction to what mindfulness is, speaking briefly about the research supporting it, and its importance in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).



BPD, Relationships, and Trauma: The Impact of BPD on Relationships and Vice Versa

Dr. Fitzpatrick discussed what is known about how BPD impacts family and partner relationships. She addressed how people with BPD navigate relationships, as well as how BPD symptoms impact and are impacted by communication problems in a relationship. She also discussed the potential of trauma and PTSD in family members of someone with BPD. This event is co-presented by The Ashley Boca Mindfulness Foundation and The Sashbear Foundation.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for BPD: An Initial Overview

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a gold standard psychological intervention for borderline personality disorder (BPD). While it began as an intervention targeting suicidal behavior, it has now been validated for a range of disorders...



Borderline Personality Disorder: What is it and how do we treat it?

In a 45 minute webinar, Dr. Fitzpatrick provides an easy-to-understand overview of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), how researchers currently understand it, and briefly describe what the science says about how to treat it.

Morning Mindfulness Workshop series

Drs. Diana Singh and Jessica Rizk discuss the topic of stressors and stress responses, including research that supports why it’s important to build healthier strategies.

Online Workshop Tool: The Planner | “From surviving to thriving” Great West Life | Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace (A resource developed in partnership with McMaster University)

© 2022 Ashley Boca Mindfulness Foundation
Charitable Registration Number: 752469536RR0001