Mahmud Nestman,
MEd, RCC, HT

Mahmud Nestman is a member of the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the International Association of Counselling Hypnotherapists. His counselling
practice is located in Vancouver, B.C.
Canada where he welcomes individuals,
couples and families.

He has over 40 years experience in counselling, training and supervising counsellors, and in facilitating the Journeys of Transformation workshops.

He is the Founder and Director of the Cura Institute for Integrated Learning, a broad-based educational and therapeutic body supporting a psycho-spiritual orientation to learning, healing and transforming. Cura is Latin for care of the soul, and the offerings of the Cura Institute are intended to create a climate of care for the core essence of individuals.

The following models of Counselling and Therapy have been essential parts of Mahmud's learning path: Gestalt Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Ericksonian Hypnotherapy, Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy and Non-Violent Communication (NVC).

Mahmud has integrated these therapeutic approaches with his spiritual path and priceless lessons learned from his work with clients. This integration and experience has led to the development of a new model of counselling/therapy, known as Trust-Oriented Therapy (TOT). TOT is a model of therapy with trust as its foundation. The therapist trusts in their own inner resources, the inner resources of their clients and the moment-to-moment process of interaction between counsellor and client. The primary intention of TOT is to assist clients to access and trust in their own inner resources.

Mahmud is also a Director of the Spiritual Emergence Centre Foundation (SECF), an organization created to support individuals who are experiencing psycho-spiritual intensity/distress in their emerging process of healing, growth and integration. The SECF approach is holistic and compassionate and acknowledges the sacred dimension of life.

Professional Background

Mahmud has designed and facilitated counselling and supervision programs for the following agencies and institutions:

• Cura Institute (Diploma of Integrated Clinical Counselling, 1998-2008)
• Cura Institute (Supervision and Mentorship groups)
• Vancouver College of Counsellor Training
• Core Quest Counselling Group
• The Justice Institute of British Columbia
• SR Seminars (Two year Transformational Counselling Program)
• Orca Hypnosis Institute
• Deltassist Community Resources
• Surrey Coordinating Center
• Langley Family Services
• Burnaby Family Life
• The Maples Residential Treatment Center for Adolescents
• The Counsellor Training Institute of Canada
• Surrey College