
Skills for Emotional Resilience in the Chicagoland Area
Registration for Winter 2023 Course Now Open!
ABOUT MINDFUL SELF-COMPASSION
During the 8-week course participants will learn to:
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Practice mindfulness and self-compassion in daily life
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Understand the science and research of self-compassion
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Use self-compassion to live in accord with personal core values
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Handle difficult emotions with greater ease
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Motivate oneself with kindness rather than criticism
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Work with challenging relationships
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Manage caregiver fatigue
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Practice the art of savoring and self-appreciation
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Teach and/or model simple self-compassion tools to others
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is an 8-week course offered several times a year in the Chicago area. Based on the work and research of Dr. Kristin Neff and Dr. Christopher Germer, MSC is designed to offer participants the skills for emotional resilience and learning to be kinder to oneself during the difficult times in life.
TEACHERS
Staci Berman, LMFT
Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher
Staci Berman (she/her) is a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She found her way to MSC after years of mindfulness practice, discovering that self-compassion was the ingredient she didn't know she was missing. Self-Compassion fundamentally changed the way Staci approached her practice, her work, and her self.
Staci has had the privilege of teaching Mindful Self-Compassion courses in the Chicago-land area and online. Additionally, she has supported MSC retreat participants in the US and Canada, and has served as consultation group facilitator for the Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy Program. She has led mindfulness and self-compassion workshops in various settings including jails, hospitals, animal shelters, universities, high schools, corporate settings, and therapy group practices. Staci is also a Certified Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities teacher, offering self-compassion programming to those in the medical and healthcare fields.
She is continuously inspired by and grateful for the unfolding practice of learning and teaching self-compassion.
Colleen O'Brien, LCPC
Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher
Colleen O'Brien (she/her) is a Certified Teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Chicago, IL.
Colleen's journey with MSC started in 2016 when she completed the Self-Compassion test (https://self-compassion.org/self-compassion-test/) and felt both surprised and intrigued. A couple years later, in March 2018, Colleen was feeling the need for community and support and decided to embark on an intensive Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) retreat in Sedona, AZ, taught by MSC co-developers, Kristin Neff and Chris Germer. She was so glad she did because it changed her life and work.
With the intention to spread this life-changing potential, Colleen completed MSC teacher training in January 2019, ready to bring MSC to Chicago and beyond. Since then, Colleen has been consistently teaching 8-week classes, leading MSC workshops, and most recently, teaching Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities (SCHC) at the University of Chicago. In July 2022, Colleen became a certified MSC teacher with the guidance of her brilliant mentor, Dr. Christine Brähler.
Colleen appreciates how her personal Mindful Self-Compassion practice regularly unveils itself within her own experience. She is also absolutely thrilled to be sharing MSC with people across the globe, witnessing the diversity of experiences people have with this important work.
Class Schedule
Mindful Self-Compassion is taught as an 8-week, in-person course that meets once weekly for 2.5 hours. Each round includes one retreat half-day (4.5 hours) that takes place in the second half of the course.
Below are classes that are currently available for registration or are currently in progress.
Summer 2019
Class Schedule
Mindful Self-Compassion is taught as an 8-week, in-person course that meets once weekly for 2.5 hours. Each round includes one retreat half-day (4.5 hours) that takes place in the second half of the course.
Below are classes that are currently available for registration or are currently in progress.
Summer 2019
COURSE DETAILS
Winter 2023
Mindful Self-Compassion
8-week Course
Virtual class via Zoom
Fridays, February 17th - April 7th, 2023
8:30am - 11:30am (Central Time)
Retreat Day Saturday, March 25th 10am-1pm
Facilitated by Staci Berman, LMFT & Colleen O'Brien, LCPC
Cost of course is $500
*Scholarships available for financial hardship
WE WILL NOT TURN ANYONE AWAY FOR FINANCIAL REASONS
No previous mindfulness or meditation experience required
Course Information
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is taught as an 8-week course that meets once weekly for 3 hours. Program activities include short talks, experiential exercises, meditation, group discussion, and home practices. Each course includes one retreat (3-hour) that takes place in the second half of the course.
MSC is designed for members of the general public. Meditation experience is not necessary to participate in MSC. All are welcome! The program is based on the values of equity, diversity and inclusiveness.
*This is an inclusive course in all the ways, including economic. We have always offered financial scholarships for people in need and continue to do so in these challenging times.
Fees
The fee for the course is $500.
Payment plan and scholarships available for anyone experiencing financial hardship
Options for payments include Quickpay with Zelle, Cash or Check
Continuing Education Credit
Psychologists: Continuing Education Credit for this program is provided by UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 24.0 hours of credit.
California licensed MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, LCSWs: Continuing Education Credit for this program is provided by UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. 24.0 contact hours may be applied to your license renewal through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. For those licensed outside California, please check with your local licensing board to determine if APA accreditation meets their requirements.
Nurses: UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP16351, for 28.75 contact hours.
Recommended Readings
The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Kristin Neff and Chris Germer
Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff
The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion by Christopher Germer
Fierce Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff