Week of February 12-17, 2012

Mindful Self-Compassion: Core Skills Training

How do you typically react to life’s difficulties—work stress, rejection, physical problems, or financial hardship? Most of us try to ward off unpleasant experiences by saying, “This shouldn’t be happening!” or “What’s the matter with me?” Unfortunately this tendency adds stress to our lives and defeats us before we even know what we’re doing. What if, instead, you took a moment to soothe and comfort yourself when you felt bad—much like you’d do for others? In other words, what if you learned the art of mindful self-compassion?

Self-compassion is an emotional skill that can be learned by anyone. It’s a courageous attitude that stands up to harm, including everyday harm we inflict on ourselves by overworking, overeating, overanalyzing, and overreacting. Recent research has shown that self-compassion enhances emotional wellbeing, reduces anxiety and depression, and can even help you stick to your diet and exercise routine.

In this workshop, you’ll be taught how to:

• Stop being so hard on yourself

• Handle difficult emotions with greater ease

• Motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism

• Transform your relationships, both old and new

• Savor the good things in your life

• Be your own best teacher

Two psychologists lead this condensed version of their eight-week Mindful Self-Compassion training program. It’s a weeklong immersion in mindfulness and self-kindness supported by the beautiful Esalen campus. All are welcome.

Recommended reading: Neff, Self-Compassion; Germer, The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion.

CEUs available for psychologists.

CEUs available for MFTs and LCSWs.

CEUs available for nurses.

Reservations Information (Accommodations & Pricing)