Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer are pioneers in the scientific development of self-compassion. They have brought their respective experience together in the empirically-supported Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program. This Core Skills Workshop allows an opportunity for people to immerse themselves in some of the key practices and exercises of the full 8-week program in an intensive 2-day format.
Self-compassion: What is It?
Self-compassion is the emotional attitude of bringing kindness to ourselves when things go wrong in our lives. Most of us easily treat our friends and loved ones with warmth, tenderness and patience when they struggle, fall short or fail at times in their lives, but we have a much harder time bringing those same qualities of compassion to our own selves in the same situations. Self-compassion is directed to the one who is suffering, and encourages us to consider the fundamental question of “What do I need?” By recognizing that difficulty is here (mindfulness), that these things are a part of every human life (common humanity), and connecting with our natural capacity for kindness toward suffering (self-kindness), we can develop healthy and enduring patterns of relating to all the circumstances of life.
Self-compassion: How to Learn It
Self-compassion can be learned by anyone, even those who didn’t receive enough affection in childhood or who find it embarrassing to be kind to oneself. It’s a courageous mental attitude that stands up to harm, including the discomfort that we unwittingly inflict on ourselves through self-criticism, self-isolation, and self-rumination when things go wrong. Self-compassion provides emotional strength and resilience, allowing us to admit our shortcomings, forgive ourselves, and respond to ourselves and others with care and respect, and be fully human.
After participating in this workshop, you will be able to:
- Practice self-compassion in daily life
- Understand the science of self-compassion
- Motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism
- Handle difficult emotions with greater ease
- Manage caregiver fatigue
- Practice the art of savoring and self-appreciation
- Teach simple self-compassion exercises to clients
Program activities include talks, meditation, experiential exercises, and group discussion. Participants will 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 the program.
This course is closed for online sign-ups. There are still a few walk-in spots remaining.
Venue Location:
American University Washington College of Law Tenley Campus
4300 Nebraska Ave NW
Washington DC 20016
Parking Policy:
Please note that parking at WCL is very limited. You are encouraged to use public transportation – WCL is only 2 blocks from the Red Line Metro. Or take a taxi, Uber or Lyft.
- By Metro –Take the Red Line to Tenleytown/AU Metro Station. At the top of the first escalator bear right to take the next escalator to the street level. This will bring you to Wisconsin Avenue next to Best Buy entrance. Turn right and walk down Wisconsin Avenue, cross Albemarle Street, and walk one block to Tenley Circle. At the circle, (St. Ann’s Church on your right) take a right onto Yuma Street and the law school will on your left.
If you must drive, please review this link regarding University parking policy: WCL Parking Policy. This policy applies to all workshop attendees. You will be responsible for any fines assessed for violations of the University parking policy.
If you drive, we are offering a discounted parking rate at $8.00 for WCL Garage on Friday. (Saturday there is no charge.) Please be aware that parking at WCL will be available on a First Come, First Serve basis, as faculty, students and staff have first priority. You will be given a opportunity to register for parking on the registration site. A discount code will be sent a couple of weeks prior to the event, to be used at WCL’s pay by plate machines. The code will discount the rate and then ask for payment by cash or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover).
We have reached our allowed limit of Parking Discounts. Per University Policy, no more Discount Passes will be issued. Apologies for any inconvenience!
Local Accommodations: WCL – Lodging List
Approximate Course Times:
Friday and Saturday, October 6 & 7
9:00 am – 5:00 pm both days
Lunch Included
Please plan to arrive at 8:15 am for registration. Coffee and breakfast finger food provided.
Continuing Education and Scholarships
Psychologists: Continuing Education Credit for this program is provided by UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 11.0 hours of credit.
Nurses: UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP16351, for 13.0 contact hours. Please check with your local board to see if California BRN contact hours are applicable.
Social Workers: This course is approved by the DC Social Work Board for 11.0 contact hours. If you are licensed outside of DC, please check with your local board to see if DC contact hours are applicable.
Continuing education (CE) credit for MFTs, LCSWs, LCSEs, LPCCs, LEPs will not be offered. Please check with your local board to see if APA or DC Social Worker credits are applicable.
Fees for CE credits: $30 (Submit when registering)
In order to receive CE credits you must attend the whole course. Credit will not be given for partial attendance. Please bring your License number as you will be required to sign-in/out daily on a CE attendance list. There will also be an online evaluation to fill-out which will be emailed to you a few days after the workshop. CE Certificates will be emailed 4-6 weeks after the course.
Sorry!….There are no more Scholarships available.
Recommended reading:
This course is closed for online sign-ups. There are still a few walk-in spots remaining.
Program fees:
Chris and Kristin are donating all proceeds from this event to the non-profit Center for Mindful Self-Compassion.
The tuition fees for the course are payable to the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion.
Earlybird tuition, materials and lunch (before September 22, 2017): $325
Standard tuition, materials and lunch (from September 22, 2017): $375
Student Discounts are available for $50 off the the tuition fee. Must be a full-time student with ID. IDs will be checked at the door. Please contact [email protected] to apply.
Cancellation policy:
Your fee will be refunded if we are notified before September 6, 2017, that you need to cancel your registration.
A $50 service fee will be retained if you cancel between September 6 and September 22, 2017.
No refunds are available after September 22, 2017, except on compassionate grounds.
In the unlikely event that the workshop is canceled, Center for Mindful Self-Compassion is responsible only for a full refund of the registration fee and not for transportation, hotel accommodations or any miscellaneous fees.
