What is MSC?

Respond to difficult moments with kindness, understanding and forgiveness, instead of self-criticism or self-hate. Cultivate self-compassion with mindfulness!

Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion, providing a powerful tool for emotional resilience. Mindfulness is the first step in emotional healing—being able to turn toward and acknowledge our difficult thoughts and feelings (such as inadequacy, sadness, anger, confusion) with a spirit of openness and curiosity. Self-compassion involves responding to these difficult thoughts and feelings with kindness, sympathy and understanding so that we soothe and comfort ourselves when we’re hurting. Research has shown that self-compassion greatly enhances emotional well-being.

Based on the groundbreaking research of Kristin Neff and the clinical expertise of Christopher Germer, MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable you to open yourself to the present moment and feel connected to your world.

“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change” Carl Rogers, On Becoming a Person

The three key components of self-compassion are self-kindness, a sense of common humanity, and balanced, mindful awareness.
  • Kindness opens our hearts to suffering, so we can give ourselves what we need.
  • Common humanity opens us to our essential interrelatedness, so that we know we aren’t alone.
  • Mindfulness opens us to the present moment, so we can accept our experience with greater ease

Together they comprise a state of warm-hearted, connected presence.  Learn Loving Kindness and More with the Mindful Self-Compassion Program
  • Practice self-compassion in daily life
  • Understand the empirically-supported benefits of self-compassion
  • Motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism
  • Handle difficult emotions with greater ease
  • Transform challenging relationships, old and new
  • Manage caregiver fatigue
  • Practice the art of savoring and self-appreciation

​Mindful Self-Compassion Class Details: Each of the eight weekly sessions lasts 2 ½ hours with one additional half-day session offered after the sixth week of the course. The half-day session provides participants the unique opportunity to incorporate all they have learned into an extended practice period. 
What can I expect?
This highly participatory, supportive, and structured program will provide you with guided instruction in mindful meditation practices. Participants are given daily home assignments and practice materials including a guided meditations and workbook.

The program is challenging and life affirming. Participation requires an ongoing commitment to yourself. You will be asked to attend all classes, and to practice daily home assignments. Additionally, we offer free orientations prior to each class beginning so that you can explore if the program would be a good fit for you.
Where do I begin?
​All class participants are encouraged to attend a free orientation session, which gives you a firsthand taste of mindfulness. This allows you to better understand the course, and explore whether the program is right for you.

Cost: $500 general public (includes all meditations and workbooks).

           $575 for up to 25 CE/CPEs for psychologists, mental health professions, nurses and dietitians.  Continuing
                     education credits provided by International Seminars Group.  International Seminars Group
                     (ISG) is approved by the American Psychological Association to provide continuing education for
                     psychologists.  ISG maintains responsibility for the content of its programs.