Agenda subject to slight changes on the day of the event to best support the group. Thank you for your understanding.

Workshop Schedule/Programme d'atelier

May 16th: Day One Schedule/Programme

Check in starts at 8:30am - Room CO-R500

Introduction to Self-Compassion
9:00 - 10:20am

  • Welcome + Introductions
  • Short Meditation
  • Exercise - Why am I here?
  • Non-struggle, non-fixing
  • Radical Welcome
  • Exercise: How would I treat a friend?
  • Break out groups

Break 10:20 – 10:40 am

Self-Compassion – Research and Practice
10:40-12:00pm

  • What is Self-Compassion?
  • Gestures of Self-Compassion
  • Self-Compassion Research
  • Q&A
  • Exercise: Soothing Touch/Self-compassion break - with inquiry 

Lunch Break 12:00 – 1:30 pm

Loving-Kindness and Compassion
1:30 - 3:10pm

  • Meditation: Loving-kindness for a loved one
  • Exercise: Compassionate Movement 
  • Practicing with phrases 
  • Exercise: Finding loving-kindness phrases

Break 3:10 – 3:30 pm

Finding our Inner Compassionate Voice
3:30 - 4:30pm

  • Why do we criticize ourselves?
  • Exercise: Compassionate Motivation
  • Small Group work
  • Inquiry
  • Stages of Progress
  • Poem – My Self-Compassion Manifesto

Program ends at 4:30 pm

May 17th: Day Two Schedule/Programme

Check in begins at 8:30 am - Room CO-R500

Living Deeply 
9:00 - 10:30am

  • Meditation: Giving and Receiving Compassion
  • Finding Hidden Value in Suffering
  • Exercise: Silver Linings
  • Exercise: Principles of Compassionate Listening

Break 10:30 - 10:50 am

Meeting Difficult Emotions
10:50- 12:25

  • Steps in Working with Difficult Emotions
  • Exercise: Working with Difficult Emotions, including inquiry
  • Stretch
  • Self-Compassion and Shame

Lunch Break 12:25 – 1:55pm

Self-Compassion for Caregivers
1:55 - 3:00

  • Arriving Meditation
  • Empathetic Resonance + Caregiver Fatigue
  • Exercise: Self-Compassion with equanimity + inquiry
  • Exercise: Compassionate Movement
  • Q&A

Break 3:00 – 3:20 pm

Embracing Your Life 
3:20- 4:30pm

  • Negativity Bias
  • Cultivating Happiness: Savoring and Gratitude
  • Exercise: Gratitude for Small Things
  • Self-appreciation
  • Exercise: Appreciating What’s Good about Ourselves + inquiry
  • Exercise: What would you like to remember?
  • Small Group Reflections

Program ends at 4:30 pm

Location of Workshop/Lieu du programme

University of Québec in Montréal
Agora, Heart of Science Pavilion

Room CO-R500
175 President Kennedy Avenue
Montréal, Québec H2X3P2

More travel information below

What should I bring?/ Qu'est-ce que je dois apporter ?

  • Please wear comfortable clothes. Prepare for your own temperature preferences.

  • Bring a pencil/paper/journal of some kind. A way to jot down your thoughts, as needed and wanted.

  • Please feel free to bring a water bottle and any personal snacks. Should you need a blood sugar boost or break, you may take that as needed.

  • Lunch will be on your own and there are many places available around the venue. You will have an hour and a half both days.

I puchased CEs - what do I need to do? / J'ai acheté des CE - que dois-je faire ?

  • Please remember to sign in AND out of each session. This is required.
  • Submit your license information here.

Can I still purchase CE credits? / Puis-je encore acheter des CE ?

Yes! If you are a licensed mental healthcare professional or registered nurse, this workshop offers CE credits.

Please scroll to the bottom of this page to the section that says "Continuing Education Credits" and read all details fully. From there, you may purchase and submit your license information.

Travel Logistics/Logistique de voyage

  • Colorful building facade with 'UQAM' signage at night

    Location/Emplacement

    Both workshop days take place at the University of Québec in Montréal at the Agora, Heart of Science Pavilion. This multipurpose room (Room CO-R500) is in the center of the UQAM campus.

    UQAM Website 
  • Map of a campus layout with labeled locations including UQAM Parking, Agora Science Center Event Space, and Place-des-Arts Metro Station.

    Parking/Le Stationnement

    Saint-Urbain Parking
    2100 Saint-Urbain Street
    Accessibility: via Sherbrooke, heading East, then Kimberly (heading South)

    2020, Saint-Urbain Street
    Accessibility: via Sherbrooke, heading East, then Saint-Urbain (towards the South)


    $13.50 CAD/day

    UQAM Parking Website 
  • Map with Place-des-Arts station sign and surrounding area on a street map.

    Metro

    Place-des-Arts Station

    Green Line
    Provides access, from inside, to the President-Kennedy (PK) Pavilion

    STM Website/Timetables/Tickets 

Area Information/Renseignements sur la région

Lodging/Hébergement

  • Delta Hotels Montreal – Very close to the event location (same street), comfortable rooms and reliable service — great for participants who want to walk to the venue.

  • Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile – A well-rated luxury hotel on Sherbrooke Street, known for its comfortable rooms and excellent service — a lovely choice for visitors looking for a premium stay.

  • Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth – Iconic Montréal hotel in the heart of downtown with convenient access to transit, shopping, and restaurants — great for both business and pleasure.

  • Hotel Bonaventure Montréal – Known for its rooftop pool and garden, this is a popular choice right in the downtown core with easy Metro access.

  • Hotel Place d'Armes – Stylish boutique option in historic Old Montréal — excellent for guests who want a boutique experience and proximity to sightseeing.

  • DoubleTree by Hilton Montreal – A solid mid-range choice with good reviews and convenient downtown location, close to transit and restaurants.

Food near the venue/Options de restauration à proximité du lieu

  • Bol & Baguettes Sushi – Casual and tasty Asian restaurant with sushi and bowls — perfect for a quick, flavorful lunch.

  • Mintar – Cozy cafe-style spot on Avenue du Parc, great for sandwiches, salads, and light lunches.

  • Ô Four – Popular Lebanese spot with wraps, mezze, and fresh eats — good for both sit-down and take-out.

  • Cachitos – Venezuelan restaurant offering arepas, empanadas, and other hearty lunch fare.

  • Eggspectation - Complexe Desjardins – Classic and varied lunch menu (brunch-style all day), including eggs, sandwiches, salads, and more.

  • Grillades Torino Complexe Desjardins – Grilled sandwiches, burgers & comfort food.

  • 'Olu 'Olu Poké Sherbrooke West – Fresh poke bowls.

  • Universel Déjeuners et Grillades – All-day breakfast and lunch classics. ​

Things happening around Montréal/Activités à faire à Montréal

Soak up spring in Montréal by strolling Mount Royal and the Old Port, sampling seasonal dishes at markets, and relaxing on newly opened terrasses. Round out your visit with museum highlights (Musée des beaux-arts, McCord Stewart, Biodôme), outdoor bike or walking tours, and lively nightlife on Crescent and Peel.

Things to do in May in Montreal

Workshop Resources

  • Workshop Resources

    Ressources de l'atelier

    After the workshop, materials will be shared here for download.

  • Meditations

    Méditations

    To access MSC meditations by Kristin Neff and Chris Germer you may find those here.

    Meditations 

  • Suggested Reading

    Lectures suggérées

    The 5 Myths of Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff

    Suggested Reading 

Your Instructors

Dr. Neff and Dr. Germer are pioneers who created the empirically-supported Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program, which teaches the skills needed to cultivate self-compassion and enhance emotional well-being.

Dr. Kristin Neff's Bio

Dr. Chris Germer's Bio

MSC Core Skills Learning Objectives

At the completion of this workshop, participants should 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
  • Implement self-compassion practice to motivate behavior change
  • Develop and apply self-compassion practices to respond to feelings of failure or inadequacy with self-kindness
  • Assess and manage difficult situations and emotions with greater moment-to-moment acceptance

Additionally participants may:

  • Begin to transform difficult relationships, old and new, through self-validation
  • Practice the art of savoring and self-appreciation
  • Integrate core mindfulness and self-compassion exercises into daily life
  • Teach simple self-compassion practices to patients, students, or 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 program, like all of CMSC's programs, is a skill-building course and should not be considered therapeutic in nature.

Books and References - available at your local bookstore and online

  • The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook

    Published in 2018, The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook (Neff & Germer) was designed as a companion to the MSC course and to introduce the general public to MSC. It includes much of the theory and practices taught in MSC, plus additional material on research and special topics. 


    The workbook contains writing exercises for home study and  vivid stories of people using the techniques to address relationship stress, weight and body image issues, health concerns, anxiety, and other common problems.  People who purchase the book have access to recorded meditations from the publisher’s website. You may purchase the workbook wherever you frequently buy books - online or your local bookstore.

  • Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals

    Published in 2019, Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals [Germer and Neff] is the authoritative guide to conducting the MSC program. Germer and Neff review relevant theory and research and describe the program’s unique pedagogy. Detailed vignettes illustrate not only how to teach the course’s didactic and experiential content, but also how to engage with participants, manage group processes, and overcome common obstacles. The final section of the book describes how to integrate self-compassion into psychotherapy. Purchasers get access to the publisher’s companion website with downloadable audio recordings of the guided meditations. 

    Note: This book is not intended to replace formal training for teaching the MSC program.

  • Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout

    Tools to Help You Heal and Recharge When You’re Wrung Out by Stress

    Over years of developing and teaching their renowned Mindful Self-Compassion program, Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer have found MSC to be uniquely helpful for people struggling with the soul-draining depletion of burnout, from health professionals, teachers, and caregivers, to shift workers and entrepreneurs. Each chapter in this engaging book offers an empathic story of someone stretched to their limits and an easily digestible bite of self-compassion, culminating in a simple anti-burnout tool based on MSC practices. Readers learn quick and powerful ways to recharge their batteries, de-stress, and, above all, be kind to themselves–so they can be there for others.

    Published in 2024

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Workshop Sponsors

  • Center for Mindful Self-Compassion