More About Dr. Joe Flanders

Joe received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from McGill University in 2008 and went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He founded Mindspace Wellbeing in 2011, a clinic chain in Montreal specializing in mindfulness-based psychotherapy and group programs. In 2021, Mindspace was acquired by Numinus and Joe took on the role of Vice-President of Practitioner Training. Since 2023, he has been focusing on his private practice as well as his role at Refuge.

Joe specializes in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, an innovative, experiential therapy that is especially effective at processing challenging experiences and cultivating present-moment engagement. He will occasionally (and legally) introduce psychedelics medicines such as psilocybin, MDMA and ketamine to catalyze on-going psychotherapy with clients who are eligible.

Joe is currently a level 2 IFS therapist. He has been trained to deliver psychedelic-assisted therapy by Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). He holds the Advanced Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and  Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Facilitation Certifications from the Centre for Mindfulness Studies (CMS) in Toronto and has extensive training in Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Outside of his therapy practice, Joe is active as a therapist trainer and consultant. He has founded and operated 4 companies, served as a workplace well-being consultant, and held an executive position in a publicly traded company. He is a frequent contributor to the media and has hosted 2 podcasts.

 

 

Approach

Joe’s approach is grounded in the following values:

  • Connection and relationship-centred care
  • Trauma-informed care
  • Somatics and Embodiment
  • Harm Reduction
  • Evidence-based practice

He practices a form of Experiential Therapy, that integrates IFS, Mindfulness and ACT. This powerful synergy offers:

  • A practical framework for setting intentions and tracking progress
  • A map of inner experience and the state of the nervous system
  • A set of skills for creating safe embodiment
  • A methodology for going deep and processing challenging experiences
  • A practice for cultivating the “8 Cs” calm, courage, curiosity, clarity, compassion, creativity, confidence and connectedness.

Clients describe Joe as practical, open, non-judgmental, smart and compassionate. He is equally at home coaching others through work stress as he is going deep into trauma and recovery.

Areas of Practice

Joe is licensed with the Quebec Order of Psychologists and supports the healing of:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Post-traumatic stress
  • Work stress
  • Relationship problems
  • Personal & spiritual growth.

Services

He currently provides:

  • Individual psychotherapy (IFS, Somatic Therapy, ACT & mindfulness)
  • Psychedelic Integration Therapy 
  • Ketamine-assisted therapy
  • Psilocybin-assisted therapy and MDMA-assisted therapy
  • Executive therapy and coaching

I occasionally have openings for new clients. Please fill out the contact form if you’d like to join the wait list.

If you’re interested in psychedelic-assisted therapy (with MDMA or psilocybin), please consult this article to learn more about legal access to these treatments and this article to learn about the alternatives if you’re not eligible.

Media

Subscribe & listen to the latest episodes

Joe created and hosted the Mindspace Podcast and briefly co-hosted the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast.