For someone to develop genuine compassion towards others,
first he or she must have a basis upon which to cultivate compassion,
and that basis is the ability to connect to one’s own feelings
and to care for one’s own welfare…
Caring for others requires caring for oneself.
– Dalai Lama (2000)

The Contemplary is delighted to host Chris Germer on his first visit to Melbourne.  This workshop is an introduction to Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), an empirically-supported training program based on the clinical perspective of Chris Germer and the pioneering research of Kristin Neff.

MSC combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion to enhance our capacity for emotional wellbeing.  Mindfulness is the first step—turning with loving awareness toward difficult experience (emotions, sensations, thoughts).  Self-compassion comes next—bringing loving awareness to ourselves.  Together, mindfulness and self-compassion comprise a state of warm, connected presence during difficult moments in our lives.

Burgeoning research shows that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional wellbeing, coping with life’s challenges, lower levels of anxiety and depression, healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and more satisfying personal relationships. It is an inner strength that enables us to be more fully human—to acknowledge our shortcomings, learn from them, and make necessary changes with an attitude of kindness and self-respect.

Self-compassion can be learned by anyone. This workshop is therefore open to everyone and will be of particular interest for Health Care professionals. After participating in this workshop, you will be able to:

• Practice self-compassion in daily life
• Understand the science of self-compassion
• Motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism
• Handle difficult emotions with greater ease
• Manage caregiver fatigue
• Practice the art of savoring and self-appreciation
• Teach simple self-compassion exercises to clients

Program activities include talks, meditation, experiential exercises, and group discussion. Participants will directly experience self-compassion and learn practices that evoke self-compassion in daily life. No previous experience with mindfulness or meditation is required to attend the program.

The Instructors
Christopher K. Germer, PhD is a clinical psychologist in private practice, a faculty member in psychology at Harvard Medical School, Cambridge Health Alliance, and a founding faculty member of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. He leads workshops internationally on mindfulness and self-compassion. He is a founding member and senior advisor for the Center for Mindfulness and Compassion. Dr. Germer is author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion, and co-editor of Mindfulness and Psychotherapy and Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy.
www.MindfulSelfCompassion.org
www.CenterForMSC.org

Kathleen Cator is a clinical psychologist and certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher. A former nurse, and mother of three children, Kathleen has over 20 years of experience as a health professional and family caregiver. Kathleen is a member of the teaching faculty at The Contemplary. She also works in her private practice Metta Health & Psychology, which provides psychotherapy and training for individuals, groups and organisations.  Kathleen has trained with many inspirational teachers, including mindfulness pioneer, Jon Kabat-Zinn, and the founder of Compassion Focused Therapy, Paul Gilbert.  She completed Mindful Self-Compassion teacher training through UCSD Centre for Mindfulness with Kristin Neff and Chris Germer.
http://mettahp.com.au

Continuing Professional Development
This workshop should accrue a minimum of 12 hours of professional development (CPD). Certificates of attendance will be distributed at the afternoon tea break on the second day of the workshop. Please see your professional organisation’s guidelines for their specific requirements.