Mindful Self-Compassion

Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is an empirically supported 8 week training program designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion.  Based on research by Dr. Kristen Neff and Christopher Germer, MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult moments in their lives with kindness, care and understanding.  Rapidly growing research demonstrates that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional wellbeing, decreased anxiety, less depression and stress, maintenance of healthy habits, and satisfying personal relationships.  Self-compassion can be learned by anyone.  It fosters emotional strength and resilience, allowing one to admit to one’s shortcomings, motivating oneself with kindness, forgiving oneself as needed, relating wholeheartedly to others, and being oneself more authentically.

Outcomes:

At the end of this course participants will be able to:

• Practice self-compassion in daily life
• Understand the empirically supported benefits of self-compassion
• Motivate oneself with kindness rather than criticism
• Handle difficult emotions with greater ease
• Transform challenging relationships
• Manage caregiver fatigue
• Practice the art of savouring and self-appreciation

Special Course Features:

This course includes a half-day mindfulness silent retreat (March 4, 2017 8:30 am to 1:00 pm) focusing on self-compassion skills.

Facilitators:

Andrea Frolic, Director, Office of Clinical & Organizational Ethics, Hamilton Health Sciences; Asst. Clin. Prof., Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University

Diana Tikasz MSW, RSW, Coordinator of Mindfulness, Compassion and Resilience Programs at Hamilton Health Sciences, Clinical Specialist with the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre