Welcome to the Self-Compassion for Shame (SC – Shame) Course! This new program has been developed by Dr. Chris Germer along with a team of senior MSC teachers. All developers of SC-Shame are on the team supporting this training—Natalie Bell, David Fredrickson, Cassondra Graff and Laila Narsi.
Shame is everywhere. Shame can occur when we feel judged by others or when we judge ourselves. It can happen when we do something wrong and when we’re entirely innocent of wrongdoing. Whenever we feel bad about ourselves, for whatever reason, there is a touch of shame.
Shame is our most difficult human emotion. Shame makes us go small, go silent or go away. Ironically, shame itself is not the problem. The problem is that there’s often no one home to work with shame.
Shame is also one of our deepest emotions. It invisibly shapes our personalities as we grow into adulthood and it prevents us from being fully ourselves with others.
- What would happen if you were able to care for yourself when you felt shame, rather than being immobilized by fear, attacking yourself, or zoning out?
- How would your life be different if you could meet shame with compassion and stay connected, think in a balanced way, and make wise, healthy choices?
Chris Germer, and the mentor team are committed to creating a positive learning environment in which you, and each part of you, feels welcome just as you are.
Shame strikes at the core of our being, but has nothing to do with who we really are.
Chris Germer
About the Course
Self-compassion is the antidote to shame. In this course, we’ll take a unique, non-pathological look at shame through the eyes of self-compassion.
After learning about the theory and research on shame, you’ll have an opportunity to explore the personal and cultural causes of shame in your own life within the context of self-compassion.
Special topics include:
- Self-criticism
- Body shame
- Self-forgiveness
- Social justice
Course Structure:
- An 8-week course with 24 hours of training—16 hours of class time with 8 hours of practice in small groups.
- Classes occur weekly for 2 hours each, with talks, exercises, meditation and group discussion
- Small practice groups are also weekly, 1 hour each, facilitated by members of the development team
- Additionally, members of the BIPOC and LGBQIAP2S+ communities are invited to participate in affinity groups during the course.
- Class size: 75-100 participants.
Course Objectives:
At the completion of this activity, participants will begin to:
- Summarize the theory and research on shame and self-compassion
- Describe how self-compassion is an antidote to shame – the 3 paradoxes of shame
- Identify personal childhood and cultural disconnections that lead to shame
- Apply new self-compassion practices to relieve the burden of shame
- Alleviate body shame with compassion
- Direct self-compassion to hidden parts of ourselves
- Disengage from habitual self-criticism by cultivating self-compassion
- Take positive action to live with less shame in daily life
Participants will be invited to view reading material and informational videos before each class so that our precious class time can be saved for meditations, exercises and group sharing. Classes are 2 hours long, however one session will be a 3-hour online retreat.
Practice Groups
Self-compassion is best learned in community, especially when addressing shame.
Practice groups are a key component of the 8-week course to help participants deepen what they learn and integrate it into their daily life.
You will be asked to sign up for one of the following weekly practice groups and we will do our best to accommodate everyone’s schedule.
- Mondays, 8-9 am PT
- Mondays, 4-5 pm PT
- Mondays, 5-6 pm PT
- Tuesdays, 4-5 pm PT
- Fridays 9-10 am PT
Affinity groups (optional, additional practice groups offered):
- BIPOC
- LGBTQ
Who Should Attend
This course is open to anyone who has completed the full MSC Course, for example the 8-week program, LOMSC and the 5-Day intensive.
SC-Shame is a resource-building program, just like the MSC program itself, rather than psychotherapy. However, since we will be touching shame with self-compassion, challenging emotions may arise. The teaching team is committed to co-creating, along with the course participants, a safe and rewarding learning experience.
This course is also open to professionals, such as psychotherapists, mindfulness teachers and educators, who wish to bring fresh insights and skills for working with shame into their work activities.
If you are an MSC Teacher and interested in teaching this course in the future, there will be a prerequisite that you attend the SC-Shame course as a participant.
Pilot Program Feedback (Optional)
During the course you will be asked to give weekly feedback. We will send you a brief weekly feedback form (up to five questions) after each session. You are not required to give feedback. However, any feedback you provide will help the program evolve and have a beneficial impact on future participants. Therefore, we would be most grateful for your contribution. Additionally, since this is a pilot program, the practice group facilitators will be providing feedback directly to Chris Germer, during the course. Individual participant names will not be mentioned to maintain confidentiality.
Fees & Scholarships
Fees
- $695 Supporter Fee
- $595 General Registration Fee
Scholarships
Scholarships Recognizing the social value of self-compassion and the financial realities that many prospective participants may face, the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion is pleased to offer a number partial scholarships supporting diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging. The scholarships are focused on applications from people of color and those who are members of historically marginalized or under-served communities, especially those who wish to serve these populations and communities.
You can apply for a scholarship using this Scholarship Application. Places will be offered in the order application forms are received. Places are confirmed once payment has been made. (Please note that scholarships are based on personal financial need, separate from being financially over-extended or over-committed.)
Meet your teachers
Chris Germer
MSC Co-Author | US
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 200,000 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 Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Cancellation Policy
For any cancellation request, please contact [email protected]
Course registration fees will be refunded or transferred to future Shame dates if cancellation occurs before March 23, 2023. To process any refund, there will be a $50 dollar fee charged by the system. The refund will only be for tuition fees, and any miscellaneous expenses incurred related to this course will not be refunded.
No refunds can be offered if canceling March 30, 2023, or later (except on compassionate grounds for extenuating circumstances).
