Mindful Self-Compassion

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Dates: Thursdays, October 10-November 14, 2024

Time: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. ET

Program Cost: $250* (*See below for discount rate.)

Delivery: Synchronous Virtual Classroom via Zoom

The Short Course in Mindful Self-Compassion (SC-MSC) is a 6-week adaptation of the full Mindful Self-Compassion program (8-week course) developed by Kristen Neff, PhD and Christopher Germer, PhD along with colleagues through the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. This short series was developed to allow participants to begin to learn a targeted set of MSC practices with less initial time commitment than a full 26-hour MSC program.

Most of us feel compassion for our close friends and clients when they are struggling. What would it be like to receive the same caring attention from yourself when you need it most? Fortunately, self-compassion can be learned in part by connecting with our innate compassion for others and including ourselves in that circle of compassion. The practice of self-compassion also helps to grow and sustain our compassion for others. 

The SC-MSC program draws on the skills of mindfulness and focuses on developing the resource of self-compassion to enhance our capacity for emotional wellbeing. Burgeoning research shows that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional wellbeing, coping with life challenges, lower levels of anxiety and depression, healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and more satisfying personal relationships. It is an inner strength that enables us to be more fully human—more fully ourselves. 

Schedule

1. October 10: What is Self-Compassion? Definition, Science and Research of Self-Compassion
2. October 17: Practicing Self-Compassion: Physiology and Practice of Self-Compassion with Mindfulness
3. October 24: Discovering Your Compassionate Voice: Motivating Ourselves with Fierce Self-Compassion
4. October 31: Self-Compassion, Resilience and Strategies for Meeting Difficult Emotions
5. November 7: Burnout: Self-Compassion for Caregiver Fatigue
6. November 14: Making it Count: Reconnecting to Core Values

Objectives

At the completion of this series participants will be able to: 

• Articulate the basic theoretical underpinnings and research findings related to self-compassion.
• Develop and apply self-compassion practices to motivate themselves with encouragement rather than self-criticism.
• Describe the key components of self-compassion and mindfulness and how they can be integrated into your role as a professional.
• Explain the difference between empathy and compassion and utilize strategies to avoid emotional exhaustion.
• Practice techniques to increase self-compassion at work and in everyday life.
• Practice at least one skill from each session to care for yourself emotionally while caring for others who are experiencing difficulty.

Program activities include short talks, experiential exercises, group discussion, and home practices. SC-MSC is an opportunity to explore how we typically respond when difficulties arise in our lives and to learn tools for becoming a warm and supportive companion to ourselves. 

This program is designed for all levels of professionals in caregiving professions and members of the general public, based on the values of equity, diversity, inclusiveness and belonging. Meditation experience is not necessary to participate in SC-MSC. All are welcome!

Instructor

Annie Allen, PhD, LSW is a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher and an Education Researcher who studies how children, youth, and adults learn in schools and communities, and supports young people and adults in psychotherapy. She has taught on the faculty at the University of Rochester and the University of Colorado Boulder, and for 20 years has been studying, teaching, and learning about issues of belonging, learning, and communication in relation to systemic forms of oppression and injustice. She has also been a student of Buddhist psychology and meditation since 2004, and her experience practicing with others and alone, studying with teachers in the Vipassana (insight) tradition, and silent retreat practice in nature have all transformed and enriched her life for the better. She is committed to these transformative teachings and to supporting others in these practices. Annie returned to school for training in Clinical Social Work, received her MSS in May of 2024, and works as an LSW with teens and adults.

Cost | CEUs

Program Cost: $250 for the series. (Partial registration is not available for this program.)

*Discount Rate: $215 for the series. (*Discount available for BMC alumnae/i, faculty, staff, field instructors of current GSSWSR MSS students, current MSS students and Agency-funded groups of three or more.) 

CEUs: 9

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