This Workshop takes clinicians (and other mental health providers) on a journey where they discover the revolutionary new skill that has been missing from their wheelhouse. The workshop teaches an important, often disregarded tool that will allow your clients to enhance their capacity to cope with life’s challenges, as well as to build and sustain resilience. One of the most powerful (and misunderstood) tools for ameliorating the devastating effects of self-comparison, envy and shame; Self-Compassion has been proven to be effective in reducing the troubling need for perfectionism, thereby enhancing self-worth, improving daily functioning and overall well-being. We will debunk the myths around self-compassion (for instance: that it leads selfishness, weakness, or impairs motivation). Research will be presented that reveals the truth about this revolutionary source for coping. Additionally, skills for managing difficult emotions, unhelpful thinking patterns & lack of motivation will be taught. Special attention and adaptations will be paid to the treatment of individuals living with chronic stress and survivors of trauma. This Workshop is highly interactive and will consist of a didactic component, as well as experiential, interactive exercises and breakout rooms for practicing interventions. 

Learning Objectives

 ·      Participants will understand the three key components of self-compassion (kindness versus judgment; common humanity versus isolation and mindfulness versus identification).

·      Participants will explore the difference between self-compassion and self- esteem and finally achieve a greater ability to support clients in their shift from comparison to others toward acceptance of the self, regardless of their perceived successes or “failures.”

·      Participants will enhance their own skill set & confidence in their own ability to incorporate these practices with their clients, as well as themselves (reducing caregiver burnout).