About Robert
“I love my work and am happiest when I can make a contribution to another person’s life journey.”
Robert W. Gebka
B.MSc.(Transpersonal Counselling)(USA), MBSR Teacher UCSD Medical School USA, Cert Coaching LONDON, MNCS (Counselling)
Mindfulness Consultant & Executive Director of Dorset Mindfulness Centre
“My passion in life is learning about the mystery of human potential and the experience of life as a whole. Having travelled extensively and having lived in many countries I have come across many richly diverse cultures. I find that this experience has opened my mind and helped me expand not only my personal horizons but also my sense of interconnectedness with others. In terms of the mindfulness work I do, I see my role mainly as a facilitator and enjoy supporting others in their efforts to regain, as well as maintain a state of balance and mental wellbeing.”
Robert, the author of Managing Depression with Mindfulness for Dummies, a former Zen Buddhist monk is a mindfulness consultant & director of the Dorset Mindfulness Centre. He spent five years living and working at the Nan Hua Buddhist monastery where he facilitated mindfulness meditation and work-life balance workshops & retreats. He also worked in private practice in Windsor, Berkshire before journeying out on a personal retreat to the Isle of Skye in Scotland. He now works part-time within the mental health field for the NHS where he teaches mindfulness to both NHS staff as well as patients. His style is very light hearted and practical which also draws on his personal insights and experience. He teaches mindfulness in a scientific, fun and gentle way focusing on making mindfulness practical and useful in your daily life.
Robert has an avid interest in languages and speaks Polish, Afrikaans and basic Mandarin Chinese. He is CRB checked and fully insured. Robert is committed to CPD (Continuous Professional Development) to ensure that he is always up to date with the latest in scientific research. He also receives clinical and peer mindfulness supervision as part of his professional practice and development.Mindfulness courses Bournemouth.
Robert’s training and qualifications – in a nutshell:
Robert is a member of:
Robert works in mental health for Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust and is CRB checked and fully insured.
Robert’s bio, mindfulness journey and teaching experience:
(Pictures from left to right: Robert with Ahbey Rinpoche, USA actress Ruby Wax, Brett Moran and HH 14th Dalai Lama)
October 2011 – Present
Dorset Mindfulness Centre Director/ Mindfulness Consultant
Managing the day to day running of the centre.Director of training: 6 months Professional Mindfulness Practitioner training: Core Skills Certificate in Mindfulness Based Interventions.Attended a 10 Day Silent Vipassana meditation retreat in January 2017 at the International Meditation Centre, Wiltshire, UK.Facilitated over 30 One to One 6-Week MBSR/MBCT courses for people suffering from anxiety and depression.Facilitated over 100 introductory Mindfulness Wellbeing Seminars with average of 25 participants each.Facilitated 20 MBSR/MBCT 8-Week courses with over 400 participants in total (average of 16 participants, biggest group was 27 participants, smallest was 10 participants).Facilitated 30 One-Day Mindfulness Retreats with an average of 15 participants at each retreat.Facilitated Mindfulness Based Interventions for various local businesses including the Borough of Poole and the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.October 2011 – present
NHS Mental Health Worker – Complex Care Mental Health Psychiatry, Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Completed a two-year Mindfulness Research Project in Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBIs) with a clinical population within an inpatient psychiatric hospital.Research included studies in MBSR, MBCT, basic DBT with the support of a chartered NHS Doctor of Clinical Psychology.Founded, managed and facilitated a two-year weekly Mindfulness Based Recovery Support group. A total of over 80 groups with an average of 5 patients at each group.Facilitated one to one mindfulness sessions with sectioned psychiatric inpatients experiencing severe mental health problems including psychosis, schizophrenia and Borderline Personality Disorders.Founded, managed and facilitated the Mindful SPACE programme for Staff Wellbeing offered to all 5000 NHS staff across Dorset.Managed and facilitated the monthly Mindful SPACE Bournemouth group. A total of 9 groups with an average of 25 NHS staff per group.Evaluated and directed the project forward to improve staff participation, potentially reducing absenteeism and enhancing positive work engagement.September 2012 – March 2013
Peer Specialist Trainer, Dorset Mental Health Forum/ NHS Recovery Education Centre
Facilitated regular introductory mindfulness based workshops for the Recovery Education Centre students, including staff as well as individuals receiving support.Supported individuals in their effort to regain as well as maintain their sense of mental wellbeing.June – October 2011
Volunteer Mental Health Recovery Worker, Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust Flaghead Addictions Unit
Offered psychological support and mentoring to service users experiencing substance misuse and mental health difficulties.Facilitated Mindfulness Based psycho-educational groups as well as one to one sessions to individuals going through recovery.April – October 2010
Six months personal meditation healing retreat, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Took part in daily meditation to support own personal development and healing.Offered one to one mindfulness support to people in need of life guidance.February 2007 – April 2010
Mental Wellbeing Practitioner, Windsor, Great Britain
Managed own caseload offering brief solution focused mindfulness based interventions and personal coaching sessions to individuals in need of support.Supported local community wellbeing initiatives through mindfulness based workshops.February 2006 – April 2009
Entered a three-year personal psychotherapy programme, Windsor
Received weekly counselling and psychotherapy as part of his personal and professional development.January 2004 – January 2005
Founding Director of the Stress Reduction Clinic, South Africa
Managed the day to day running of the clinic.Maintained own caseload offering brief solution focused stress management and mindfulness based interventions to clients experiencing mental health difficulties such as stress, anxiety and depression.Facilitated stress reduction workshops for the local community.January 2000 – January 2004
Nanhua Buddhist Monastery, South Africa – Four year meditation internship
Continued meditation studies under the guidance of various Zen meditation master teachers including Zen Master Hui Re, Venerable Man Ya, Venerable Abbot Hui Fang.
Managed and supported over 30, two-day Zen meditation retreats with 25 participants on average.
Founded, managed and facilitated over 30, two-day Mindfulness based meditation retreats with 25 participants on average.
Founded the Lotus Project for people in Prison: Managed and facilitated 5, three-day Mindfulness based retreats at a local (near Johannesburg) Maximum Prison Facility with an average of 30 inmate participants.
Offered one to one counseling to people exploring their emotional and spiritual wellbeing.Had the wonderful good fortune to have received the customary Khata blessing from HH the 14 the Dalai Lama.January 1999 – January 2000
Nanua Buddhist Seminary, South Africa – Buddhist monastic Seminary training
One year fulltime monastic studies included: Buddhist meditation psychology, philosophy and practice.
Robert is the winner of both the Runner Up CEO Award for Innovation at the 2013 NHS OSCARS for his contribution to NHS staff wellbeing and the finalist at the Association of Professional Coaches, Trainers and Consultants, 2015 awards ceremony in London.
We delivered mindfulness to:
Contact Robert on
01202 021 063 or via email robert@dorset-mindfulness.co.uk
for an informal, no obligation telephone chat
Feel free to read more on
8-Week MBSR Mindfulness courses
Until you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.
– M. Scott Peck