Practicing the Power of Now Therapy Group - In-Person Group Starting in January

The Fall therapy group went well and it’s time to offer this group again in an in-person format in January 2026. The content of groups will also be new and fresh even if you have joined a previous group.

As a counsellor, I see that all of us are carrying around the heavy burden of thought patterns and emotional pain that often runs our lives and worse of all, feels like who we are. 

Learning how to return to a state of presence, also known as “Being” or mindfulness, even briefly throughout our day, is a way of putting the burden down and even better, it is a way of recognizing experientially that we are much more than those thoughts and emotions. 

This ability to disidentify our sense of self from the forms that constantly come and go within our experience, represents freedom. It gives us access to peace, joy and wisdom that is always there but usually covered up by thoughts and emotions.

Although there are teachers who show us how to put the burden down, the challenge is to integrate it into our busy lives. This group is about just that - using the teachings of Echhart Tolle as a foundation, we will endeavor as a group to commit to bringing more balance into our lives - to live our lives fully, but also to be able to rest in our Being and find peace, even in the face of change and challenge.  

Why this group?

This is an area of passion for me as a counsellor. The wisdom of Eckhart Tolle and others have profoundly influenced my life, allowing myself and others to disidentify from pain and see it transform - and to be able to choose peace on a daily basis. I would like to share that as well as the enjoyment of being in the energy field of a group of like-spirited people seeking deeper meaning in life and knowing the essence of who they are. 

When?

6, 1.25 hour long Meetings:

Wednesday evening, 6:10 - 7:25 pm, January 7th, 2026 - February 11th, 2026

Where?

6082 McGirr Road, Nanaimo, BC

Group Size?

6 participants

Who is this therapy group for?

This is an in-person therapy group for adults in Nanaimo and region who are interested in working as a facilitated therapy group to commit to bringing more balance into our lives and who have some familiarity and resonance with the author Eckhart Tolle. 

Participants all share the intention of practicing and learning together in a group setting. This includes the ability to listen and hold a non-judgemental space for others as well as confidentiality in regard to all group sharing. 

This group is not suitable for individuals currently experiencing a mental health crisis or severe mental health concerns that would make it difficult to participate in a group therapy environment. I welcome those individuals to contact me for individual counselling: john@jwoychukcounselling.ca  

We will use Tolle’s book, “The Power of Now” as a guiding reference point for this group. Use of this book will be helpful in providing direction and “take aways” for participants to practice and build upon in daily life, but the purpose of the group is to provide support to each participant to build their own practice of presence that helps them understand and embody a balance between being and doing in their daily lives.  

How will this work?

Parts of the book will be used to experience various presence practices, to initiate discussions, practice deep listening and to have introspective moments and optional sharing of insights or questions. 

At times, there will be moments of music and meditation and you will be invited to have reflect or journal. 

You will always have the option of how you want to participate in each exercise.

What are the benefits of attending this group?

Practice presence and in a safe, like-minded community of people while being facilitated by a certified Counsellor. 

Apply the teachings of Eckhart Tolle to your life experiences and reflect on aspects of the human mind that challenge our ability to stay present such as identification with thinking and the pain body and how to overcome them.

Spend some moments in stillness inquiring into the nature of who you are at the deepest level.

Learn to connect to a state of peace and joy within yourself.

Practice being present while listening to others as well as while sharing insights and questions. 

Gain clarity and support on points of struggle in your daily presence practice. 

What are the risks of group therapy?

Although the facilitator will do their best to prevent the following risks, it is important to consider the potential for these to occur in any group therapy setting:

Emotional Content: Sharing personal experiences may bring up emotions.

Confidentiality: Although confidentiality is emphasized, there's a risk that another group member may not uphold it.

Interactions: Misunderstandings with other group members can occur.

Triggers: Others' stories may trigger memories of trauma or difficult experiences.

Confidentially and Consent

Participants must sign a consent and confidentiality agreement in order to participate in the group. 

Process of Enrollment

Enrollment numbers are limited and will close when the group is full. Email John Woychuk at john@jwoychukcounselling.ca and please include your full name.

You will receive a reply with an intake and consent form linked from the counselling website of  J. Woychuk Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Once your intake and consent and form are read and accepted, you'll receive an email with the next steps.

Cost 

The total fees for 6, 1.25 hour group sessions, is $300 which can be paid to complete the enrollment process in the group. 

Words from past group therapy members:

“I received a lot from the group input. I learned a lot from the experience with others.” - C.B.

“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.

“Learning about being present in the Now is an exciting concept. Reading and rereading the book is important as each time you read something new comes forward. It is amazing to feel new thoughts.” - D.S.