Learn to manage difficulty with more ease and kindness

Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion to enhance our emotional well-being. While mindfulness increases our awareness of the present, self-compassion encourages greater kindness and understanding of periods of suffering. It also helps us accept our flaws and better understand our challenges.

MSC is a research-supported program developed by Dr. Kristin Neff and Dr. Christopher Germer. Research on self-compassion has shown that it boosts happiness and improves relationships while reducing anxiety, depression and shame. Increased levels of self-compassion can transform empathy fatigue into wholehearted engagement with others.

Participants Will Learn
To befriend their self–critic, develop self-compassion skills, and foster goodwill towards themselves and others. The 9-week program explores typical responses as difficulties arise.

Who Should Attend
All are welcome. It is especially beneficial for graduates of mindfulness-based programs, such as MBCT/MBSR. No previous experience with mindfulness or meditation is required. This program qualifies as the prerequisite for training as a Mindful Self-Compassion teacher.

Timing
Sunday Afternoons
Orientation & Interview: September 18, 2016 | 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Sessions: September 25 – December 4, 2016* | 1:30pm – 4:30pm
* Skips October 9th & October 30th
Please note that the November 13th session (Silent Retreat) starts an hour earlier | 12:30pm – 4:30pm 

Fee: $575 (includes handouts and guided meditation download or CD)
As a registered charity, we do not charge HST. When you support us, you support our charitable initiatives. If you’d like to learn more, please see our Community Program.

• All participants must be free of substance misuse.
• If you have third-party insurance, it may cover all or part of the cost of a therapeutic course. We recommend that you contact your insurance provider to confirm what health professions your plan covers (e.g. Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Naturopath) and that this coverage includes the types of therapies in question (sometimes there are restrictions on the particular services covered by a given health profession). Please check the profession of the non-physician faculty for this program (see above), and confirm that profession is covered by your insurance and that the program is not an excluded service for that profession. Insurance receipts will be issued during the final session of the program.

Upon request, an insurance receipt will be provided on behalf of Eileen Beltzner (Social Worker). Insurance receipts will not be available prior to the last program session.