Interactive Workshops
Please note: Some workshops are online and some are in person. We aim for a balance between in-person and online events so that we can best accommodate as many people as possible. All our programs are free!
Click here for general information about in-person workshops.
If your workshop is being held online via Google Meet, you will receive a direct link by email. Having trouble accessing a Google Meet workshop? Click here for tips.
Workshops start right on time–you will not be able to access them until a few minutes before the designated start time. Please don’t be late.
Do you have questions?
Call 514-486-1448
or email registration@amiquebec.org
To register for a workshop, scroll down.
For family and friends of someone living with mental illness only
These are interactive workshops and space is limited, even online–this gives our facilitators the chance to personally address your questions and concerns. They are not recorded and you must register in advance. If you register and do not attend, you may be taking a spot away from someone in need.
Looking for support for people living with mental illness? Click here for our support groups.
Meditation
How can we gain the strength to work with life situations that are difficult and stressful? This workshop will use meditation to help family caregivers get in touch with their unknown strengths and develop their resilience.
Starts January 14, 2026 and runs for 10 sessions on Wednesdays
10:30-11:30am
With Bill Byers
Online via Google Meet
Young Carers Workshop (10-14 year olds)
NEW! This workshop is for 10 to 14 year olds who have a loved one who has a disability, mental health challenges, or chronic illness. We will use creative expression to explore what care means in different families, to talk about healthy coping skills and self-care, and to build confidence.
January 14, 28, and February 11, 2026
6-7:30pm
With Tony Alfonso, Oliver Fitzpatrick, and Val Garriga
In person at the AMI office
5800 boul. Decarie, Montreal
Caregiver Groups
These groups offer an opportunity to explore how caring for a loved one with mental health challenges affects the caregiver’s experience and wellbeing. Held over several sessions, they can alleviate some of the isolation and other difficulties that are often associated with family caregiving.
The Monday group starts January 19, 2026, 7-8:30pm
The Wednesday group starts January 21, 2026, 3-4:30pm
Each runs for 6 sessions
With Ella Amir
Online via Google Meet
Types of Mental Illness
NEW! This workshop for family and friends of someone living with mental illness goes over the various diagnoses and characteristics of each mental illness and you can get your questions answered.
January 21, 2026
6-8pm
Facilitated by resident doctors from McGill University’s Psychiatry Postgraduate Program
In person at the AMI office
5800 boul. Decarie, Montreal
Hands On Practice for Challenging Situations
If you have a loved one (family, partner, friend, etc.) who lives with mental illness and has difficulty managing their emotions, this group is for you! This is a practice group where we will practice Validation, using examples from real life. We will also introduce the practice of boundaries and limit setting.
January 27, 2026
6-8pm
With Sylvie Bouchard
In person at the AMI office
5800 boul. Decarie, Montreal
Express Yourself!
NEW! As a family caregiver, it’s crucial to recognize that you have your own unique journey as well. This new workshop will offer you a safe space to acknowledge, express, process, and share your caregiving experience, using various types of art mediums. Importantly, no artistic, musical, or writing talent is needed.
February 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2026
6-8pm
With Jill Grumbache
In person at the AMI office
5800 boul. Decarie, Montreal
Boundaries & Setting Limits
Caregiving relationships challenge everyone involved in discovering what’s acceptable and what’s not acceptable within the unique dynamic. The aim of this workshop is to identify these limits and learn to communicate the boundaries necessary to protect both the relationship and the caregiver.
February 5, 2026
6-8pm
With Jill Grumbache
In person at the AMI office
5800 boul. Decarie, Montreal
Regulating Emotions
Do you care about someone who has Borderline Personality Disorder or difficulty regulating their emotions? In this workshop, you will learn a few strategies to help manage strong emotions in challenging situations. These tools will come in handy when your loved one is having a tough time regulating their emotions, and they can also help you find a better emotional balance.
December 9, 2025 FULL
February 15, 2026
10am-12pm
With Sylvie Bouchard
In person at the AMI office
5800 boul. Decarie, Montreal
Dear Young Carer
Have you ever felt like a parent to your parents? You may be (or have been) a young carer. This workshop will be a safe space for participants to express themselves creatively in order to find meaning in their experiences.
February 19, 2026
6-8pm
With Oliver Fitzpatrick
In person at the AMI office
5800 boul. Decarie, Montreal
Write From Your Heart
Write From Your Heart is an 8 session writing workshop in which we use writing to express feelings and then share what we wrote with the group. The workshop provides a safe and welcoming space that promotes healing, support and empowerment through writing, reading our words, and deep listening.
Starts February 26, 2026 and runs for 8 sessions on Thursdays
10:30am-12pm
With Joyce Cohen
Online via Google Meet
Treatments for Mental Illness
NEW! A variety of treatments exist for mental illnesses. This workshop focuses on the various possibilities, including therapy options and pharmaceutical and alternative treatments.
March 12, 2026
6-8pm
Facilitated by resident doctors from McGill University’s Psychiatry Postgraduate Program
In person at the AMI office
5800 boul. Decarie, Montreal
Connecting Through Movement
NEW! In this experiential workshop, caregivers are invited to gently reconnect with their inner world through movement and the expressive arts. Experience a creative space for self-awareness, expression, renewal, and connection.
March 19, 2026
6-8pm
With Sarah Varichon
In person at the AMI office
5800 boul. Decarie, Montreal
Non-Negotiable Boundaries
NEW! Non-negotiable boundaries refer to what you are not willing to accept or tolerate in your relationships. While of great importance, non-negotiable boundaries are often difficult to establish, especially for family caregivers. This workshop can help.
March 24, 2026
6-8pm
With Ella Amir, Natalie Boileau, and Sylvie Bouchard
In person at the AMI office
5800 boul. Decarie, Montreal
We are constantly evaluating and updating our programs. If you don’t see a program on this page that suits your needs, you can always find help at our regularly scheduled support groups or our counselling for family and friends.
Coming Soon
The programs below will likely be offered again next season. Don’t miss our program announcements: click HERE to sign up for our emails.
Exploring Your Part in Relationships
Would you like to explore YOUR contribution to your relationship with your loved one who lives with mental illness? Would you like to explore HOW these contributions impact your relationship?
Facing Psychosis in Your Loved One
Supporting a loved one through the experience of psychosis can be a scary and isolating experience. This workshop will open up the space for you to share and listen to others’ experience, help you identify necessary resources, and reconnect you with a sense of hope.
Introduction to Borderline Personality Disorder
This introductory session will provide basic knowledge on Borderline Personality Disorder: what it is, what are some of the challenges, and what can be done to reduce conflicts. You will gain a better understanding of the condition and how to cope.
Loss and Grief Throughout Life
NEW! When you have a loved one living with mental illness, loss and grief can take many forms. This workshop can help you navigate loss and grief and find comfort and resilience.
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