Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is an empirically-supported program developed by Drs. Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer, designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. Participants will learn and apply the three key components of self-compassion to cultivate a courageous attitude that stands up to harm, including the harm that we inflict on ourselves through self-criticism, self-denial, or self-absorption. Self-compassion provides emotional strength and resilience, allowing us to admit our shortcomings, forgive ourselves, motivate ourselves with kindness, care for others, and be fully human.

​

Program Activities:

In this 2 ½ hour course, participants will participate in meditation, short talks, experiential exercises, group discussion, and home practices. The goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for exploring how we typically respond when difficult emotions arise and to provide tools for becoming a warm and supportive companion to ourselves. The emphasis of the program is on enhancing emotional resources and personal capacities.

At the completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• respond to feelings of failure or inadequacy with self-kindness

• begin to transform difficult relationships, old and new, through self-validation

• motivate themselves with encouragement rather than self-criticism

• relate to difficult emotions with greater moment-to-moment acceptance

• teach simple self-compassion practices to patients, students, or clients

This program is designed for members of the general public, as well as for professionals who wish to integrate self-compassion into their work.