Self-Compassion workshop with Kristin Neff: Early-Bird Pricing Ends April 6th

Workshop Description

For many years self-esteem was seen to be the key to psychological health.  However, research psychologists have identified several downsides to the endless pursuit of self-esteem such as ego-defensiveness, constant social comparisons and instability of self-worth. Research suggests that self-compassion is a healthier way of relating to oneself, offering all the benefits of self-esteem without its downsides.

Self-compassion involves treating ourselves kindly, like we would a good friend we care about. Rather than continually judging and evaluating ourselves, self-compassion involves generating kindness toward ourselves as imperfect humans and learning to be present with the inevitable struggles of life with greater ease. It motivates us to make needed changes in our lives not because we’re worthless or inadequate, but because we care about ourselves and want to lessen our suffering.  

Participants of this one-day workshop will learn some of the core skills of the 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC)* program developed by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer.  MSC is an empirically supported and internationally recognized program designed to cultivate self-compassion by teaching skills for responding in a kind, compassionate way whenever we are experiencing painful emotions. We all want to avoid pain, but letting it in and responding compassionately to our own imperfections without harsh self-condemnation are essential steps toward living happier, more fulfilling lives. Through discussion, meditation, and experiential exercises, you will gain practical skills to help bring self-compassion into your daily life and the lives of your clients. You will learn tools to help you and your clients to stop being so hard on ourselves; to handle difficult emotions with greater ease; and to motivate ourselves with kindness rather than criticism.  

The workshop is intended for professionals who want to learn skills they can integrate into their work life and teach to clients.  It is also appropriate for anyone who wants to develop more self-compassion in their personal life.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the three key components of self-compassion
• Describe key research that supports the benefits of self-compassion
• Practice techniques to increase self-compassion in everyday life
• Learn some of the core skills of the 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program developed by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer
• Use self-compassion to alleviate caregiver burnout
• Teach basic self-compassion skills to clients

*Note: This workshop does not qualify you to teach the 8-week MSC Program, which requires more intensive training.  To learn about MSC Teacher Training, see https://www.centerformsc.org/teach-msc/

About the Presenter

Kristin Neff, Ph.D., is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, conducting the first empirical studies on self-compassion over a decade ago. 

Kristin’s work has received extensive media coverage, including the New York Times, MSNBC, National Public Radio, Reader’s Digest, and Psychology Today.  She offers workshops on self-compassion worldwide, and has developed (in partnership with Chris Germer) an eight-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program; an empirically supported and internationally recognized program designed to cultivate self-compassion. In 2016, Kristin also partnered with Brené Brown, Ph.D.,  to develop and co-facilitate an online course on Self-Compassion.

Kristin is also featured in the bestselling book and award-winning documentary The Horse Boy (now on Netflix in Canada!), which chronicles her family’s journey to Mongolia where they trekked on horseback to find healing for her autistic son.

Kristin is currently an Associate Professor of Human Development and Culture at the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to writing numerous academic articles on the topic, she is author of the book Self-Compassion, released by William Morrow in 2011.

For more information or to register for this workshop go to www.missionempowerment.ca