NAVIN HAS WALKED THE PATH OF HEALING HIS OWN TRAUMA, AND IS NOW AN ADVOCATE FOR LIFE
I am a Music Therapist (BMT), Certified Yoga Teacher, Artist (Musician, Writer), Mental Health Advocate, and currently I am completing an M.A of Counselling Degree at City University, studying to become an RCC (registered clinical counsellor). I am a South Asian man of colour who identifies as an Indo-Canadian (he/him). Both of my parents were born in India and immigrated to Canada at a young age with their families. I reside and work in Vancouver, BC and my life journey thus far has led me to pursuing a career path in being of service in this world
I identify as a Mental Health Advocate in my work, striving to remove the stigma surrounding mental illness by encouraging people to come together in a world that too often pushes us apart. My own personal journey of navigating the nature of pain and suffering, and experiencing the healing that can occur when we dedicate time and energy unto healing our wounds, has been a core motivator for why I have chosen this career path of being of service in this world
My therapeutic approach when working with people is heavily influenced by the concept of "common humanity," which is a personal belief that human beings are deeply connected to eachother because we are all here experiencing life together. This belief tells me that despite all of the differences that exist amongst human beings (cultural background, religious/spiritual affiliations, socio-economic status, nationality, gender, age), we are intimately connected for multiple reasons: we are all mortal and will one day experience death, we all experience an innate desire and need for love, safety, belonging, community, and connection, and we all exist inside of our minds that experiences thoughts which occupies a body that experiences feelings/emotions
I am deeply passionate about well-being, mental health, community building, and healing, a believer in the idea that the deepest of wounds can become the greatest of teachers, and that the more we tend to our wounds, the greater our capacity is to experience joy, gratitude, and love
Compassionate Inquiry 2-Day Training
Compassionate Inquiry is a psychotherapeutic approach developed by Dr. Gabor Maté that reveals what lies beneath the appearance we present to the world, highlighting the impact that early traumatic life experiences can have on an individuals growth and sense of well-being. The certificate is eligible for Professional Development Credits or Professional Continuing Education Credits
Yoga Teacher
Training 250+ Hrs in 2018
Arkaya is a practice founded by Yogacharini Maitreyi. It is a mindfulness based practice that is comprised of the traditional forms (Vinyasa, Yin, Hatha), focusing specifically on breath and body awareness. Navin has been teaching both in person and online classes, and leading workshops in the Vancouver area since graduating from the teacher training program in 2018
Music Therapist, BMT
Music Therapy is the evidence based practice of using music to support the therapeutic process, a process where the client and therapist interact in an effort to improve the client’s well-being and quality of life
Navin holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Therapy from Capilano University (BMT), graduating with a 3.8 GPA. This program included 4 semesters of full time courses, 3 practicum placements, and 1 internship experience, all training one to become a competent, working Music Therapist. He also holds a Diploma from Douglas College in the Foundations of Music Therapy program, receiving the Amanda Todd Legacy Award
Navin's internship/practicum experience has been with 3 different populations in clinical health care settings, working in long-term care with clients diagnosed with progressive diseases (Dementia, Alzheimer's), a placement doing Music Therapy via telehealth with children with developmental disorders, and in an Older Adult Mental Health Unit at Royal Columbian Hospital (Schizophrenia, Bi-Polar, Suicidal Ideation, Depression)
CERTIFICATIONS
Volunteer & Community Work
MAPS Canada
Working with partners in government, business, and the community, Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Canada, is committed to advancing psychedelic medicine by supporting scientific, multidisciplinary research; advocating for drug policy reform; offering public education; and supporting equitable access to legal and regulated psychedelic medicine in Canada.
Founded in 2011, MAPS Canada is a registered Canadian charitable organization. Based in Vancouver and with hundreds of volunteers from across Canada, MAPS Canada is moving forward to become the leading Canadian source of information, resources and advocacy regarding psychedelic medicine and related multidisciplinary research, education, and public policy.
Since 2018, Navin has been an active volunteer for MAPS Canada (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies). His primary contribution includes being the lead on their Instagram account for the Social Media Committee, responsibilities that include creating and sharing posts, reels, captions, and stories, and overall managing the growth of the social media platform. MAPS Canada's Instagram currently has an 18K follower count. Navin also actively assists at MAPS Canada sponsored events by capturing it through videos and pictures, and by operating MAPS Canada's booth or table at these events which includes selling merchandise, and advocating for the work MAPS Canada is doing within the field of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy.
In 2024, Navin accepted the position as Co-Chair on the Marketing Committee for ICMSV (Indian Classical Music Society of Vancouver), an organization that showcases the Traditional and Classical Indian Arts (Music & Dance). Navin's contributions includes advocating for this organization and managing social media content which involves creating posts, captions, reels, and stories
ICMSV
In 2009, Akhil Jobanputra founded the Indian Classical Music Society of Vancouver (ICMSV) at the age of twelve with the aim to bring people together through music and dance, ICMSV acted as an online portal promoting local Indian classical music and dance programs and consolidating them in one space. After much encouragement from the community, ICMSV was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization under the British Columbia Societies Act in December 2017. We've grown from just a single-handedly run Facebook page to an organization with a Board, volunteer committees, and receptive audience base.
The Flying Sage
Navin is a Community Leader for a community organization, apparel brand, and business based in Vancouver, BC, The Flying Sage. The Flying Sage is a psychedelic community on a mission to democratize transcendence. We offer education as well as in-person and virtual events focussed around integration, connection and transformation
Flying Sage has both virtual and in person offerings on their platform including courses and events. They also joined forces together with the Vancouver Psychedelic Society (V.P.S). They are now one and the same organization committed to offering transformative and accessible events here in Vancouver. Flying Sage currently runs 5-6 in-person events per week and have 10 different Community Leaders that help contribute to our growth
PSYCHEDELIC THERAPY CERTIFICATIONS:
In 2022, Navin completed the Fundamentals of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy program offered by Numinus. The Fundamentals of Assisted-Psychedelic Therapy equips mental health professionals and therapists with the foundational knowledge and skills to practice psychedelic-assisted therapy.
In 2022, Navin completed The River Course: An Integrative Approach to Psychedelic Therapies and Sacred Plant Medicine offered by Modern Spirit. This online course introduces students to the art and science of ancestral spiritual healing techniques and their relevance to the expanding world of psychedelic-assisted therapies.
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In 2023, Navin completed 80 hours of the didactic and experiential training with TheraPsil's Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy Training Program. This includes 50 hours of readings/videos, and 30 hours of a 5 day intensive in person Seminar led by Dave Philips. Additionally Navin received the official completion for Affiliated Co-Sitter
In 2024, Navin completed 110 hours of the Didactic and Experiential training with TheraPsil's MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD Training Program. TheraPsil is a non-profit organization committed to legalizing medical access to psychedelic therapy for patients in need. Established in 2019, TheraPsil champions the cause of regulated psychedelics, providing invaluable support for training, research, and clinical services in this groundbreaking field
ADDITIONAL
CERTIFICATIONS:
In 2023, Navin completed the Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum (PVPC) which was developed in 2010 to fill a need for effective, recommended, and provincially recognized violence prevention (VP) education for all British Columbia health care workers across a range of public health care settings. The PVPC was refined and updated in 2015 to align with trauma informed practice, dementia care, and paediatric care principles.