An Emperically-Supported 8-Week Course in Mindful Self-Compassion taught by B. Bartja Wachtel

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NEXT WEEKLY COURSE:  TBD

Courses run two times per year:     SPRING & AUTUMN 

 

To be on my email list-serve for early registration for the next MSC course email “MSC” to emfmbartja@gmail.com

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COURSE CONFIRMATION: If the number of interested registrants is reached prior to the course date, then the course will be confirmed.  Email early!

 

TIME: 6:00PM SHARP - 9:00PM (Most sessions will be 2-2.5 Hours, though students should always plan toward a full 3 hours just in case).

 

SILENT RETREAT: TBD

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LOCATION: TBD (This location has stairs and is NOT ADA accessible, but are working toward finding space that is!)

 

FEES: $395 for the full 8-Week Workshop prior to one week before the start date.  $100 Spot-Hold for registration once confirmed, and $295 due by 2 weeks prior to the start date.  

 

$495 if confirmed on or later than one month prior to the start date.  Medical Insurance does not cover this workshop.

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This course requires a minimum of 8-10 participants.  Once this number of interested registrants is reached, the course will be confirmed.  All fees are refundable if the course is cancelled due to low registration or there may be an attempt to move the course back.

 

Please register early, which supports early confirmation of the course moving ahead.

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What is Mindful Self-Compassion?

 

Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is an empirically-supported, 8-week, training program designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. Based on the groundbreaking research of Kristin Neff and the clinical expertise of Christopher Germer, MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult moments in their lives with kindness, care and understanding.

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The three key components of self-compassion are self-kindness, 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.

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Self-compassion can be learned by anyone, even those who didn't receive enough affection in childhood or 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.

 

 

Rapidly Expanding Research

 

Research demonstrates that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional wellbeing, less anxiety, depression and stress, maintenance of healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and satisfying personal relationships. And it’s easier than you think.

 

After participating in this workshop, you’ll be able to:

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• Practice self-compassion in daily life

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• Understand the empirically-supported benefits of self-compassion

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• Motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism

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• Handle difficult emotions, such as anger and shame, with greater ease

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• Transform challenging relationships, old and new

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• Manage caregiver fatigue

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• Practice the art of savoring and self-appreciation

 

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Reservation - Registration

 

In order to register and reserve your spot…

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• Email “MSC Student Registration” to emfmbartja@gmail.com  to request the Student Background Registration Form.

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• The cost of a workshop like this runs between $350-$500.  The total cost of this 8-Week Training Course is $395.*

 

• There is an initial $100 non-refundable spot-hold fee due after your background registration has been accepted, with the remaining $295 due no later than seven days prior to the start date.

 

• The $295 is fully refundable if you drop the course prior to the start of the second workshop date.

     

PLEASE make checks payable to EMFM.

 

*Even if you are unable to pay the full amount, we are holding the intention that this should not prevent you from attending.  We do request that you mindfully consider paying what you feel this workshop is worth to your quality of life, balanced with the amount you feel you can realistically pay within your budget.  If this is the case for you, or if paying the remainder cost needs to be spaced out over the course, please email Bartja just a statement of your monthly income after taxes and arrangements will be made for modified payment or full scholarship.  This is on the honor system, so even in this…kindness.

 

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Prerequisites

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No previous experience with mindfulness or meditation is required to attend MSC. To insure safety, participants are asked to provide background information when they register for the program.   Serious to severe Depression, Anxiety, Bi-Polar, Serious Medical Conditions require a letter from your therapist or doctor attesting to the stability of your conditions.

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It is recommended that participants read one or both of following books before or during the program:

 

• Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, by Kristin Neff, Ph.D. - Associate Professor Human Development & Culture, Educational Psychology Department, University of TX Austin.

 

• The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion, by Christopher Germer, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist & Clinical Instructor in Psychology at Harvard University Medical School

 

This program fulfills one of the prerequisites for becoming a MSC teacher. For more information on MSC and MSC Teacher Training, please visit www.CenterForMSC.org.

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Participation Commitment 

 

The first session is required in order to attend any of the subsequent course.

 

•  Participants will make every effort to attend each session, and miss no more than 2 sessions for certificate of completion

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• It is recommended that potential participants notify family, work and other possible demands in life that this will be a time prioritizing the class as an act of self-care.

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•  30-Minutes/Day Home Formal & Informal Mindfulness Meditation Practice

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• Other Home Practices As Assigned

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• Regular Attendance & Participation

 

• Confidentiality of Attendees

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• Engaged in private therapy if Mental Health Conditions are significant.

 

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What to Expect

Program activities include meditation, short talks, experiential exercises, group discussion, and home practices. MSC is a course or workshop rather than a retreat. The goal is for participants to directly experience self-compassion and learn practices that evoke self-compassion in daily life. 

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MSC is primarily a compassion training program rather than mindfulness training like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), although mindfulness is the foundation of self-compassion.  MSC is also not psychotherapy insofar as the emphasis of MSC is on building emotional resources rather than addressing old wounds.  Positive change occurs naturally as we develop the capacity to be with ourselves in a kinder, more compassionate way.  Teachers of MSC are in the role of teacher-trainer alone, and not as therapist or clinical social worker in any capacity, regardless of the teacher’s professional background.

 

It is said that, “love reveals everything unlike itself.” While some difficult emotions may arise when practicing self-compassion, MSC teachers are committed to providing a safe, supportive environment for this process to unfold, and to making the journey interesting and enjoyable for everyone.

 

MSC includes 8 weekly sessions of up to 3 hours each, with an additional four-hour silent retreat the week of the 6th session.   Prior to registering, participants should plan to attend every session and practice mindfulness and self-compassion at least 30 minutes per day throughout the program.  Portions of this course may be videoed for teaching purposes, and no students will be identified or filmed, only the teacher will be filmed and some of students may appear on audio only.  All of this will be confidential and only shared with supervising teachers through UC San Diego Center for Mindful Self-Compassion.

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 *Any and all information disclosed through this webiste are the sole expressed views of EMFM and are in no way condoned or endorsed of any other contracted or associated entity.