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  1. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  2. Mindfulness Program
  3. Mindful Self-Compassion

Mindful Self-Compassion

Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is a research-based, 9-week training program designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. MSC teaches participants to respond to difficult moments in their lives with kindness, care, and understanding.

3 components of Self-Compassion

· Self-kindness opens our hearts to suffering, so we can give ourselves what we need.
· Common humanity opens us to our essential interrelatedness, so that we know we aren’t alone.
· Mindful awareness opens us to the present moment, so we can accept our experience with greater ease.

Benefits of Self-Compassion

Self-compassion can be learned by anyone, even those who didn’t receive enough affection in childhood or who feel uncomfortable when they are good to themselves. It’s a courageous attitude that stands up to harm, including the harm that we unwittingly inflict on ourselves through self-criticism, self-isolation, or self-absorption. Self-compassion provides emotional strength and resilience, allowing us to admit our shortcomings, motivate ourselves with kindness, forgive ourselves when needed, relate wholeheartedly to others, and be more authentically ourselves.

Rapidly expanding research demonstrates that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional wellbeing, less anxiety, depression and stress, maintenance of healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and satisfying personal relationships. And it’s easier than you think.

After participating in this workshop, you’ll be able to:

•Practice self-compassion in daily life

•Understand the empirically-supported benefits of self-compassion

•Motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism

•Handle difficult emotions with greater ease

•Transform challenging relationships, old and new

•Manage caregiver fatigue

•Practice the art of savoring and self-appreciation

5 ways you will learn self-compassion

· meditation
· short talks
· experiential exercises
· group discussion
· home practices

Upcoming Course Dates

Spring 2025 Course registration now closed.

Wednesdays, March 26-May 21

Time: 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Location: Online via Teams or Zoom

 

 

Additional Information

MSC is primarily a compassion training program rather than mindfulness training, although mindfulness is the foundation of self-compassion.

Though MSC may lead to personal growth, it is not psychotherapy.

Beneficial change can occur naturally as we learn to treat ourselves more kindly. However, some difficult emotions may arise along the way.

Registration and Fees

Registration for the Spring 2025 online course is now closed. Check back in the Fall for our in-person course.

The regular course fee for the Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) program is $300. MSC is free for UAMS students, interns, residents, and others in training .  Payments are made online via a safe and secure platform. The link to the payment will be emailed to you AFTER your registration and application have been accepted and approved. Discounts are available for UAMS faculty and staff. There are also additional scholarships available. See below.

Discounts Continuing Education

  • UAMS Employees – $50 discount per person
  • Couples or Family – $75 discount per person

(Note: Although we are unable to combine discounts. Approved applications will be offered the bigger discounted amount)

Scholarships

We have established a scholarship policy to avoid turning away anyone with a genuine interest and motivation to participate if the cost is the only thing preventing them from participating. If you have genuine financial needs and the considerations above are not enough to allow you to participate in one of our classes, please apply for a special scholarship of $200 off the regular registration price. If this is still a constraint, we will explore other opportunities to accommodate this need. We will NOT turn anyone away for lack of funds. We have limited availability in each class and a limited number of scholarships available.  Please note that you must register for the course before applying for a scholarship.

Continuing Education

Click here for continuing education information.

Cancellation and Transfer Policy

Participants who withdraw prior to the second class will receive a full refund minus $50 for the course materials and registration fee. We are happy to transfer you to a different class if you have a change in schedule.  There is no refund after the second class.

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Mailing Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-7000
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