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If your friend called and said they had a hard day, would you scold them? Would you berate them for making mistakes? Or would you let them know that it’s okay and everyone makes mistakes? Instead of criticizing them for screwing up, you would probably reassure them that they could do a better job tomorrow. And yet, many of us fail to display the same compassion towards ourselves when we’re going through rough times.

Self-Compassion can be described as, “treating yourself as you would treat a friend.” The Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program teaches principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult moments in their lives with kindness, care, and understanding. Research shows that self-compassion is strongly associated with greater emotional wellbeing, reduced anxiety, depression, and stress, and maintenance of healthy habits such as diet and exercise. It’s also associated with more satisfying personal relationships, and enhancing performance in settings from healthy aging to athletics to professional growth.

Based on the groundbreaking research of Kristin Neff and the clinical expertise of Christopher Germer, MSC is an empirically-supported, 8-week training program designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion.

Self-compassion can be learned by anyone, even those who feel uncomfortable when they are good to themselves. It’s a courageous attitude that stands up to harm, including the harm that we unwittingly inflict on ourselves through self-criticism, self-isolation, or self-absorption. Self-compassion provides emotional strength and resilience, allowing us to admit our shortcomings, motivate ourselves with kindness, forgive ourselves when needed, relate wholeheartedly to others, and be more authentically ourselves.

Program activities include meditation, short talks, experiential exercises, group discussion, and home practices. No previous mindfulness meditation practice is needed! The goal is for participants to directly experience self-compassion and learn practices that evoke self-compassion in daily life.

This program has been approved for 24 CEUs by the NASW Washington State Chapter. Licensed Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Mental Health Counselors are eligible. Provider number is #1975-449.

Schedule:
Wednesdays, 9:00-11:00am
October 6 – December 8, 2021* (no class November 24)
*with half-day retreat November 10, 9am-12pm
Registration will open by April 20

Cost: $325-$425

Note: Our series require a minimum of five registered participants, by five days before the start date; if you are considering joining please register early.

Cancellation Policy: Refunds of 90% up to five days prior to start of series. No refunds allowable after that time.

If you are having issues enrolling for this course in advance please email membership@8limbsyoga.com.
If you have questions about course content, preparation, or recordings, or are having enrollment issues within 24 hours of the course or class, email education@8limbsyoga.com.
Some series can be joined late, with approval at full cost (email education@8limbsyoga.com); Prior recordings will be shared upon approval.

Want to start or deepen your mindfulness practice with a supportive community? Check out our upcoming Mindfulness Meditation series.

 

About the instructors: Joel Grow & Hanna G. Kreiner

Joel Grow

 

Joel Grow, Ph.D is a clinical psychologist and mindfulness facilitator at the Seattle Mindfulness Center. He was part of the development team for the Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) program, and he continues to lead MBRP groups and professional workshops. He is also a trained teacher in Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), facilitating MSC groups in-person and online. He also helped pioneer online MSC groups for men. His background includes providing behavioral health care and training in community agencies, hospitals, corporations, and government agencies. Before graduate school, Joel spent 8 years as a software engineer and technical instructor. He also co-developed and was lead instructor for a 9-month University of WA certificate program for 9 years, and was awarded the UW “Award of teaching excellence.”

 

 

Hanna Kreiner

 

Hanna G. Kreiner, LICSW is a psychotherapist helping individuals with anxiety, depression, chronic illness, pain, and the emotions that accompany life transitions. Through her training and experience in hospitals and clinics, Hanna has developed a specialty supporting those coping with serious illnesses, specifically cancer and heart disease. Hanna has found mindfulness to be a strong foundation in facing life’s greatest challenges with more ease and equanimity. Her personal mindfulness practice informs her work, which includes providing integrative psychotherapy, guiding meditations, teaching stress reduction workshops, and facilitating Mindful Self-Compassion (an 8-week evidence-based course). Hanna enjoys helping people find a meaningful and satisfying way of life. Licensed in both Washington and California, Hanna provides in-person sessions at Seattle Mindfulness Center and serves clients via tele-therapy sessions.  Hanna loves this work and welcomes the opportunity to connect with you.

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