5 Day MSC Intensive for Caregivers
Loving Others without Losing Ourselves
July 20-25: 5 Day MSC Intensive for Caregivers at Big Bear with Lisa Baylis and Megan Prager
July 20-25: 5 Day MSC Intensive for Caregivers at Big Bear with Lisa Baylis and Megan Prager
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MSC Intensive for Caregivers: Loving Others without Losing Ourselves
Join us July 20-25, 2025 for this in person offering in beautiful Big Bear, California. This 5-day training is an intensive version of the 8-week*, empirically-supported MSC program, with a special focus and emphasis on self-compassion for caregivers.
The nature of caregiving is often a focus on "the other". How can we care for another, without losing ourselves? This intensive includes short talks, experiential exercises, meditation, group discussion, and practices through the lens of caregiving, to help counteract isolation, navigate difficult emotions, and reaffirm the importance of self-compassion not as selfish, but as a way to sustainably care for another. Caregivers are worthy, deserving, and in need of their own care too!
Throughout the 5 days of training, the emphasis of the program is on building the resources of self-compassion and mindfulness through a process of self-discovery. We begin with mindfulness, through which we turn with loving awareness toward difficult experiences (thoughts, emotions, and sensations). Next, we learn to turn that loving awareness toward ourselves. Together, mindfulness and self-compassion comprise a state of warm, connected, presence during difficult moments in our lives and in caregiving.
This intensive is open to all types of caregivers: those who provide care personally or professionally, or those who care for one, many, or the planet. All are welcome.
*This is not a silent retreat, for more information about our silent retreats please go here.
Early Bird Pricing End July 7th
Meet your Retreat Leaders:
Lisa Baylis and Megan Prager are both Certified Teachers of Mindful Self-Compassion: highly experienced in teaching both online and in-person.
Lisa is also:
- Well-being strategist for 20 years, specializing in self-care, mindfulness, and self-compassion.
- Published author of "Self-Compassion for Educators" and creator of the AWE Method (Awakening the Wellbeing for Educators).
- Master's degree in Counseling Psychology and bachelor's degree in Physical Education.
- Extensive teaching experience as a school counselor in British Columbia and internationally.
- Currently also serves as the Education Director for the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion, founded by Kristin Neff and Chris Germer.
Megan is also:
- Co-Founder of Mindful Labs and Compassion Programs Director at UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness.
- Certified MBSR, MSC, and CCT Instructor.
- Adjunct Faculty at San Diego State University and Lecturer at UC San Diego Rady Business School.
- Teacher Trainer and Mentor for UC San Diego Mindfulness Based Professional Training Institute and Center for Mindful Self-Compassion.
- Develops and delivers mindfulness trainings for Fortune 500 companies, educational, healthcare, and academic settings.
- Collaborates with universities to establish and instruct mindfulness and compassion courses at the collegiate level.
- Passionate about empowering individuals through compassionate awareness to shape their lives and well-being.
Please Note: The cost of the course registration does NOT include accommodations. Once you register for the course you will be sent a confirmation email with the link to purchase your room.
Housing and all meals are included in room rate.
- Private room with private bath – $1,350.00
- Private room with shared bath – $990.00
- Double room with shared bath – $675.00
- Triple room with shared bath – $405.00
- Camping Rate – $405.00
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5 Day MSC Intensive for Caregivers
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Overview
Led by Lisa Baylis and Megan Prager
Dates: July 20-25, 2025
Location: Big Sur, California, USA https://bigbearretreatcenter.org/
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is an empirically- supported, mindfulness-based, self-compassion training program. MSC participants from across the globe learn the skills of self-compassion and mindfulness to enhance their capacity for emotional well-being, including more helpful ways of exploring our typical responses to difficulties that arise in our lives and learning tools for becoming a warm and supportive companion to ourselves.
MSC is therapeutic, but it’s not therapy. The emphasis of the program is on building the resources of self-compassion and mindfulness through a process of self-discovery. We begin with mindfulness, through which we turn with loving awareness toward difficult experiences (thoughts, emotions, and sensations). Next, we learn to turn that loving awareness toward ourselves. Together, mindfulness and self-compassion comprise a state of warm, connected, presence during difficult moments in our lives.
MSC is not a substitute for medical or mental health care. -
Details
MSC activities include short talks, experiential exercises, meditation, group discussion, and home practices.
Upon completing MSC, participants should be able to:- Demonstrate motivating yourself with encouragement rather than self-criticism
- Encounter difficult emotions with greater moment-to-moment acceptance
- Develop response to feelings of failure or inadequacy with self-kindness
- Explain how to transform difficult relationships, old and new, through self-validation
- Use the art of savoring and self-appreciation
- Identify core mindfulness and self-compassion exercises to implement in daily life
- Discuss simple self-compassion practices to patients, students, or clients
- Describe the theory and research supporting mindful self-compassion
- Identify fierce and tender aspects of self-compassion and their role in overall well-being
To create an optimal learning experience, Intensives are only taught by Certified MSC Teachers (the highest level of teacher training available). All participants are encouraged to engage in the Intensive to the extent that they feel comfortable, and not more.
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Who Should Attend
This program is designed for members of the general public based on the values of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness. MSC is particularly helpful for:
- Those who would like to cultivate the capacity to comfort and soothe themselves and to motivate themselves with encouragement when they suffer, fail, or feel inadequate;
- Those who struggle with a strong inner critic or perfectionism;
- Those engaged in the care of others, like mental health and other healthcare professionals who wish to share self-compassion with their clients through their own embodiment of the practice.
Meditation experience is not necessary to participate in MSC. All are welcome!
This workshop offers Continuing Education credits; details can be found below in the FAQ section. -
Schedule & Access to Materials
Schedule:
Sunday, July 20
Registration: 3:00-5:00 PM
Dinner: 5:30–6:30 PM
Opening Session: 7:00-8:30 PM Mago Hall
Monday, July 21
Sessions: 8:30-12:00, 2:00-5:30
Tuesday, July 22
Sessions: 8:30-12:00, 2:00-5:30
Evening. Optional Program - TBD: 7:30-8:30 PM
Wednesday, July 23
Morning Session: 8:30-12:00
Afternoon Session (no session – free time)
Evening. Optional Program – TBD: 7:30-8:30 PM
Thursday, July 24
Sessions: 8:30-12:00, 2:00-5:30
Evening. Optional Program - TBD: 7:30-8:30 PM
Friday, July 25
Morning Session: 8:30 – 11:30
MSC Morning Meditation (optional): 6:30-7:15 AM Mon – Fri
Companionable Silence: 10 PM-8:30 AM (starting Monday evening; ending Thursday morning)
Any materials that are offered during the course will be available on your CMSC online learning platform for up to 90 days after the date of the intensive.
FAQs & Important Information
How do I purchase Continuing Education credits for this course?
Fees for CE credit: $75 *Must attend all classes live to receive credits.
Please see the dropdown box, below the course title, above the add to cart button to purchase.
For those licensed outside California, please check with your local licensing board to determine if CE credit is accepted.
Feel free to email hello@centerformsc.org for any follow up CEU/CME questions.
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 22 hours of credit. (Please check with your local board to verify that APA approval is accepted.)
California licensed MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, LCSWs: 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. 22 CE Credit may be applied to your license renewal through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. (For those licensed outside California, please check with your local licensing board to determine if APA CE Credit is accepted.)
Nurses: UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP16351, for 22 CE credit. (Please contact your local board to see if California BRN CE hours are accepted.)
If I'm unable to attend, can I request a refund?
All monies paid for the Registration will be refunded in full (less a $25 administrative fee) if a refund request is received 14 or more days before the Program begins.
If a refund request is received between 13 days and 48 hours before the Program begins, a $200 administrative fee will be applied. Any requests 48 hours or less before the Program begins is non refundable.
For Lodging through Big Bear Retreat Center:
Please review their cancelation policy here
https://bigbearretreatcenter.org/cancellation-policy/
Important Info: Mindful Self-Compassion is not a substitute for Therapy
Our programs are designed to teach participants the tools needed to develop and cultivate a mindfulness and self-compassion practice.
It is not a substitute for mental health care, personal therapy or medical treatment.
Personal safety and emotional wellbeing are the foundation of self-compassion training and you are primarily responsible for your own safety.
Teachers and facilitators are not expected or able to provide medical and/or psychological care. Course experiences may bring up challenging memories or feelings.
If you have a history with a serious mental health condition or other concerns you think may impact your ability to take this course, please contact CMSC or your healthcare professional to determine if this course is right for you. Your personal contact information may be used in the event the teacher or facilitator reasonably determines a need to call emergency services on your behalf.
Important Info: Productive Participation in Courses & Workshops
Participation is at the discretion of the teachers and facilitators at all times.
If, in the opinion of the teachers and facilitators, you are unable to participate productively and appropriately in the course or workshop you have registered for, you may be asked to discontinue.
Decisions of removal are to ensure CMSC provides the safest space possible for our participants and teachers. Please see our refund policy regarding necessary participant removal.
How do I book my room accommodations?
Once you register for the course you will be sent a confirmation email with the link to purchase your room.
Housing and all meals are included in the program fee.
- Private room with private bath – $1,350.00
- Private room with shared bath – $990.00
- Double room with shared bath – $675.00
- Triple room with shared bath – $405.00
- Camping Rate – $405.00