Talk at the Annual Interpersonal Neurobiology Conference, Los Angeles

The Art And Science of Self Compassion Kristin Neff, PhD

This talk will present theory and research on self-compassion, which a burgeoning empirical literature has shown to be powerfully associated with psychological wellbeing. It will distinguish self-compassion from self-esteem, and discuss research indicating that self-compassion is a more powerful and effective motivational tool than self-criticism.

About the Conference
The Annual Interpersonal Neurobiology Conference will offer an in-depth scholarly, practical, and immersive gathering in which we will explore the nature of the human mind, the experience of consciousness, and how the influence of our social brain’s influence on our connections with others, and with our selves.

Consciousness is fundamental to human change processes, and in this immersive experience you will learn about the art and science of cultivating the kinds of conscious experiences that promote wellbeing, cultivate resilience, foster integrative neurological growth, raise telomerase levels to maintain and repair the ends of chromosomes, optimize epigenetic regulators to decrease inflammatory diseases, and improve other physiological measures of medical health. These states of consciousness also are essential for relational health, equanimity and neural integration.

In this meeting we will have both presentations and experiential immersions that focus on what the mind is and how to cultivate a healthy mind. One aspect of mental life is the process of being aware, the ways we know and have a sense of the known within our subjective experience of being alive. When we combine a deep view of consciousness with emerging findings from the study of the social brain, we will see that clinical work to promote mental health can be greatly enhanced with these new insights and practical applications.

Mind includes consciousness and information processing, as well as a regulatory function called “self-organization.” This emergent, self-organizing process of the mind is both embodied—it is within our bodies including our brains—and in our relationships with others. How consciousness itself may relate to this self-organizing function will be explored in depth and clinically relevant information and practices will be offered to cultivate a healthy mind.

Come join us for this unique gathering of speakers who will offer an overview of current neuroscience research supporting the efficacy of mind-body integrative techniques found to be effective in clinical settings. This program will benefit all Mental Health and Medical practitioners including Psychiatrists, Social Workers, Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Specialists, Mindfulness and MBSR practitioners, Crisis Intervention Counselors, Educational and Guidance Professionals, and Dance, Movement, and Somatic Therapists.

Learn more.