Mindful Self-Compassion Core Skills Training

Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer standing besides each other

  • Venue: Online via Zoom
  • Date: November 29, December 2, 6 & 9, 2022
  • Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm Pacific Time each day
  • Price: $299 - $339 (Discounts for GGSC Members)

A workshop on the Core Skills for Mindful Self-Compassion, held over four half-day sessions with Kristin Neff, Ph.D. and Christopher Germer, Ph.D.

Held entirely online, with recordings available following the training! 

This course is approved for 11 Continuing Education (CE) credits. (Please note that the eligibilty for Psychologists continuing education credits have changed). 

Discounts for GGSC members! Learn more here.

Developed by Christopher K. Germer, Ph.D., leader in the integration of mindfulness and psychotherapy, and Kristin Neff, Ph.D., pioneering researcher in the field of self-compassion, the empirically supported Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) training combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion, providing a powerful tool for emotional resilience. 

Mindfulness is the first step in emotional healing—being able to turn toward and acknowledge our difficult thoughts and feelings (such as inadequacy, sadness, anger, confusion) with a spirit of openness and curiosity. Self-compassion involves responding to these difficult thoughts and feelings with warmth and support so that we comfort ourselves when we’re hurting and take action to make needed changes. Research has shown that self-compassion greatly enhances emotional well-being. It boosts happiness, reduces anxiety and depression, and can even help maintain healthy lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise. Being both mindful and compassionate leads to greater ease and well-being in our daily lives.

This workshop is completely live and online. Program activities will include short talks, meditation, experiential exercises, group discussion, and home practices.  The goal is for participants to directly experience self-compassion and learn practices that evoke self-compassion in daily life.

No previous experience with mindfulness or meditation is required to attend this workshop.

In MSC you’ll learn:

  • How to stop being so hard on yourself
  • How to handle difficult emotions with greater ease
  • How to motivate yourself with encouragement rather than criticism
  • How to transform difficult relationships, both old and new
  • Mindfulness and self-compassion practices for home and everyday life
  • The theory and research behind mindful self-compassion
  • How to become your own best teacher

Unique to this training, participants will also be able to participate in small group sessions, including Self-Compassion Mentoring and Affinity Groups, to more deeply explore course content. 

Self-Compassion Mentoring: Engage with highly trained and experienced mentors for on-the-spot learning and application of self-compassion skills and teachings. Optimize learning by attending additional interactive practice sessions on and between the four half-day training sessions.

Affinity groups are an optional, freely offered, yet integral part of the learning experience in the MSC Core Skills Training. These groups bring together participants who self-identify with a particular social-cultural identity to explore the intersection of our diverse experiences in relation to learning and practicing Mindful-Self-Compassion.

Affinity Groups included in this training are for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and LGBTQIAP+  (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Pansexual, +Plus) participants.

  • Session I

    Tuesday, November 29

    9:00am - 12:00pm PT

    Introduction to Mindful Self-Compassion Core Skills Training

    Break

    Theory, Research, and Practice

  • Session II

    Friday, December 2

    9:00am - 12:00pm PT

    Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Loving-Kindness

    Break

    Finding Your Inner Compassionate Voice

  • Session III

    Tuesday, December 6

    9:00am - 12:00pm PT

    Core Values & Compassionate Listening

    Break

    Being with Difficult Emotions/Shame

  • Session IV

    Friday, December 9

    9:00am - 12:00pm PT

    Self-Compassion for Caregiver Fatigue

    Break

    Savoring, Gratitude, and Self-Appreciation

  • Headshot of Christopher Germer

    Chris Germer, Ph.D.

    Chris Germer, PhD is a clinical psychologist and lecturer on psychiatry (part-time) at Harvard Medical School. He co-developed the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program with Kristin Neff in 2010 and MSC has since been taught to over 100,000 people worldwide. They co-authored two books on MSC, The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook and Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program.

    Chris spends most of his time lecturing and leading workshops around the world on mindfulness and self-compassion.  He is also the author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion; he co-edited two influential volumes on therapy, Mindfulness and Psychotherapy, and Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy; and he maintains a small private practice in Arlington, Massachusetts, USA.

  • Headshot of Kristin Neff

    Kristin Neff, Ph.D.

    Kristin Neff is an associate professor of educational psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She conducted the first empirical studies on self-compassion, has published numerous academic articles on the topic, and lectures worldwide. Dr. Neff is the author of Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself and the audio set Self-Compassion Step by Step. She is also co-author, along with Christopher Germer, of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook and Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program.Neff is also featured in the bestselling book and award-winning documentary, The Horse Boy, which chronicles her family’s trek on horseback through Mongolia to find healing for her autistic son.

After participating in this workshop, you will be able to:

  • Identify the three key components of self-compassion
  • Describe key research that supports the benefits of self-compassion
  • Apply techniques to increase self-compassion in everyday life
  • Use self-compassion to alleviate caregiver burnout
  • Practice self-compassion skills to motivate behavior change
  • Select and apply self-compassion practices to respond to feelings of failure or inadequacy with self-kindness
  • Examine difficult situations and emotions with greater moment-to-moment acceptance
  • Summarize basic self-compassion techniques for others, including clients

Cassondra Graff, M.S.

Cassondra Graff, M.S., LCSW (she, her) is a Greek American, Certified MSC  and MBSR Teacher and Mentor. She is the Director of Mentors for Public  Programs and Faculty for Self-Compassion In Psychotherapy (SCIP) at the non-profit Center for Mindful Self-Compassion (CMSC). Her work as a mental  health professional transformed over the years, becoming mindfulness and compassion based.

Cassondra's current focus is the active implementation of compassion into mental health and whole health, with an eye out for DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) integration. Cassondra developed the roles of Self-Compassion Mentor and Affinity Group Mentor, creating ethical, inclusive and compassionate guidelines to serve a diverse range of participants and optimize learning in self-compassion-based programs for the public. “Over time self-compassion, both tender and fierce, has become my inner ally, has my back no matter what. I want to support you in turning toward this life-changing resource for yourself.”

 

Carolina Bautista-Velez

Carolina Bautista-Velez is a Latinx social changer who believes in the power of individual and collective liberation. Through her work as a Certified MSC Teacher, Qualified MBSR Teacher, Certified Professional  Coach, and Diversity &   Trauma Informed Consultant, Carolina works with individuals, groups and organizations by  co-creating spaces where her clients can focus on learning sustainable tools to navigate stress, societal conditioning, goals, life/work balance and difficulties. 

Carolina is the founder of CVelez Consulting & Metamorphosis-Coaching. She holds a degree in clinical psychology with a specialization in social psychology and psychoanalysis

 

David Fredrickson

Writer, teacher, advocate, and psychotherapist, David Fredrickson has worked with and learned from underserved and traumatized communities including children and families, the LGBTQIAP2S+ community, and those affected by HIV/AIDS. Following his own health crisis, activated by caregiver fatigue, David discovered that his care often did not include himself. Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) became part of his own healing and as a certified MSC teacher he is committed to bringing this powerful balm to others. A long-time resident of San Francisco, David is a lover of nature, music, good friends, dogs, and good food.

Learn more about David: http://www.davidafredrickson.com

Continuing Education

Satisfactory Completion

Participants must have paid tuition fee, signed in and out each day, attended the entire seminar, and completed an evaluation in order to receive a certificate. Failure to sign in or out each day will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available.Certificates available after satisfactory course completion at www.ceuregistration.com

Cosponsored by R. Cassidy Seminars, P.O. Box 14473, Santa Rosa, CA 95402

Psychologists
NY: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0018. 11 content hours. Live In-person.

Many Other State boards of psychology accept continuing education courses approved by other state licensing boards of psychology. Check with your state board to obtain more information about eligibility.

Psychoanalysts
NY: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychoanalysts. #P-0005. (11) clock hours. Live online.

Social Workers
CA and Other States:
 Most states accept continuing education courses offered by approved providers with national providerships or will accept the approvals of other state licensing boards of the same license type. Others, either do not require pre-approval of courses, or will allow licensees to retroactively file for course approval themselves. R. Cassidy Seminars is an approved provider with two national providerships, as well as holding many individual state license type approvals. Check with your board to obtain a final ruling.

IL-SWs: Illinois Dept of Professional Regulation, Approved Continuing Education Sponsor, #159.000782.  (11) hours.
NY: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider (#0006) of continuing education for licensed social workers. This program is approved for 11 contact hours Live online.
OH: Provider approved by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for (11) clock hours, #RCST110701

Counselors/Marriage and Family Therapists
CA and Other States:
 Most states accept continuing education courses offered by approved providers with national providerships or will accept the approvals of other state licensing boards of the same license type. Others, either do not require pre-approval of courses, or will allow licensees to retroactively file for course approval themselves. R. Cassidy Seminars is an approved provider with two national providerships, as well as holding many individual state license type approvals. Check with your board to obtain a final ruling.
IL-MFTs: Illinois Dept of Professional Regulation, Approved Continuing Education Sponsor, #168-000141.  (11) hours.
NY-LMHCs: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board of Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0015. (11) contact hours. Live online.
NY-LMFTs: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board of Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists. #MFT-0011. (11) contact hours. Live online.
OH: Provider approved by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for (11) clock hours, #RCST110701
TX: Approved CE Sponsor through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage & Family Therapists. Provider #151 11 CE hours.

Creative Arts Therapists
NY: 
R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board of Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists, #CAT-0005. (11) contact hours. Live online.

Chemical Dependency Counselors
CA: 
Provider approved by CCAPP, Provider #4N-00-434-0222 for (11) CEHs. CCAPP is an ICRC member which has reciprocity with most ICRC member states
TX: Provider approved by the TCBAP Standards Committee, Provider No. 1749-06, (11) hours general. Expires 3/31/2021.  Complaints about provider or workshop content may be directed to the TCBAP Standards Committee, 1005 Congress Avenue, Ste. 460, Austin, Texas 78701, Fax Number (512) 476-7297.

Educators
TX: 
R. Cassidy Seminars is an approved provider with the Texas Education Agency CPE# 501456. This course is (11) CE Hours.

Nurses
CA: 
Provider approved by the CA Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CeP12224, for (11) contact hours


 

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations please contact our office 30 days Or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification.

Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often And while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions Or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling.

 

Discounts for GGSC members! Learn more here.

How to Participate:

With this live, online event, you’ll watch real-time presentations via Zoom, be able to submit questions to the presenters online, follow along with downloadable slides, and participate in small group sessions—all from the comfort of your home, office, or anywhere with an Internet connection.

Prior to the event, registered participants will receive a user name and password to access our exclusive Participant Portal through the Greater Good website. Here you willl find course materials, recommended readings, our daily agenda, as well as your links to join sessions and supplemental groups each day. Links will also shared directly via email from greater@berkeley.edu

While it is not required, we recommend setting up a free Zoom account to familiarize yourself with the platform before this event. Accounts can be set up through the Zoom website.

A recording of each session will be available to participants following the event.

 

Cancellation Policy: Participants may cancel their registration by emailing greater@berkeley.edu. To receive a full refund (less a $25 administrative fee), requests must be received no later than November 21, 2022. Refunds will not be processed for requests received after this date.

 

For additional questions and troubleshooting, please email us at greater@berkeley.edu

Scholarships application period has ended. 

If you have questions regarding this event or the scholarship process, please contact us at greater@berkeley.edu.