Your Six Sessions
This course meets every Thursday from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CT. All sessions are held live via Zoom and recorded for later review.
| Date | Topic | |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | June 12, 2025 | What is Self-Compassion? |
| Session 2 | June 19, 2025 | Challenges to Practicing Self-Compassion |
| Session 3 | June 26, 2025 | Discovering Your Compassionate Voice |
| Session 4 | July 3, 2025 | Self-Compassion and Emotional Resilience |
| Session 5 | July 10, 2025 | Compassion for Self and Others |
| Session 6 | July 17, 2025 | Embracing Your Life |
All times Central Time · Proposed dates subject to confirmation · Recordings available for 60 days after the course ends
What You Will Learn
At the completion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Describe the three components of self-compassion — self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness — and explain the research evidence linking self-compassion to emotional wellbeing.
- Identify individual patterns of self-criticism and explain how self-compassion practices offer an alternative approach to motivation and emotional regulation.
- Apply the Self-Compassion Break and at least two additional self-compassion practices to respond to difficult emotions in daily life.
- Explain the relationship between self-compassion and compassion for others, and describe how sustaining one’s own wellbeing supports the capacity to care for others.
What Happens Each Week
Each 90-minute session combines short talks grounded in research, experiential exercises, small-group discussions, and guided practices. Click any session to read a description.
We begin by exploring what self-compassion actually is — and what it isn't. The three core components of self-compassion are introduced, and the growing body of research linking self-compassion to emotional well-being is briefly reviewed. Two key self-compassion practices are taught: compassionate touch and the self-compassion break.
This session addresses common misgivings about self-compassion, including the fear that it will make us lazy or self-indulgent. We explore the concept of 'backdraft' — the emotional discomfort that can arise when we first begin to be kind to ourselves — and how to work with it skillfully. We also explore the relationship between mindfulness and self-compassion.
We explore why we're so self-critical, and consider the benefits of motivating ourselves with encouragement rather than harsh judgment. Through an experiential exercise, we take a closer look at our own inner critic and discover a more compassionate voice that is honest, caring, and genuinely supportive.
Difficult emotions are part of every human life. We explore the stages of emotional acceptance and introduce tools for meeting painful experiences with openness and care. This session provides practical strategies for working with difficult emotions in a way that is mindful, compassionate, and truly transformative.
Self-compassion and compassion for others are deeply interconnected. This session explores empathic resonance — our natural capacity to feel with others — and examines how caring for ourselves actually sustains our ability to care for those around us. We learn a practice that supports us in remaining present to others' pain without becoming overwhelmed.
In our final session, we consider how the three components of self-compassion can help us overcome our negativity bias and open to positive emotions like gratitude and appreciation — including for our own positive qualities. We reflect on what we've learned and how to carry it forward into the rest of our lives.
CE Credit Process
Continuing education credits are available as an optional add-on for licensed professionals. Credits are offered through two accrediting bodies.
How to Obtain CE Credit
- Purchase CE credit separately. CE credits are not included in your course tuition. The purchase link will be on your registration confirmation page and included in a follow-up email after the course.
- Complete the purchase within 48 hours of course completion. Purchases made after that window will not be accepted.
- Complete the post-course evaluation. You will receive a link to an online evaluation form. Completion is required to receive your CE certificate.
- Receive your certificate. Your CE certificate will be issued electronically after the evaluation is submitted and your purchase is verified.
If you have questions about CE eligibility or the credit process, please contact us before registering.
FAQ
Each class will be recorded and the link posted in the course hub. You'll have at least 60 days after the course ends to review the recordings, after which they will be deleted. While recordings are available, the course is designed to be experienced live — participation, breakout discussions, and real-time practice are central to the learning.
The inability to attend live classes does not make one eligible for a refund. Please review our refund policy in its entirety here.
Yes, a limited number of scholarships are available at half the full price. To apply, please fill out this form. See our course policies for more detailed information.
Once you register, you will immediately receive a confirmation email. One week before the course begins, you will receive an email with access to the online course hub and your Zoom link. Two hours before each class, you'll receive a reminder with the Zoom link. After each class, you'll receive an email with summary materials and a link to the recording.
No. SC-MSC is designed to teach self-compassion practices to the general public and is not a substitute for mental health care, personal therapy, or medical treatment. If you have a history with a mental health condition or other concerns, please contact us or your healthcare professional before enrolling.
No. While SC-MSC is based on the full MSC program, it does not qualify participants for MSC teacher training.
