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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to befriend yourself? We can be our own worst critics, yet we recognize the importance of relating to children, significant others, and friends with kindness and caring. Imagine the possibilities if we learned to treat ourselves with the same compassion we so easily give to others?
Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) is an 8-week program that teaches participants skills needed for greater awareness in the present moment of their own distress or suffering so they can respond with kindness and wisdom. Research is showing that self-compassion is correlated with greater happiness and wellbeing, decreased anxiety and depression, as well as healthier lifestyle habits. Participants learn how to treat themselves more like someone they love, befriending themselves, cultivating a gentle curiosity about inner experiences, motivating with encouragement rather than punishment, and coping with difficult emotions with greater calm and ease.
Here is what participants have said about this course:
- MSC is powerful stuff for improving your inner voice. The environment in this class is completely safe and comforting. The three hours fly by. The lessons are life-changing. I began the class as a 3.5 self-compassion score and over the ten week period I grew in self-compassion to a 4.27. My husband jumped from a 1.39 to a 3.52! It doesn’t matter where you’re at when you come, you will leave more compassionate, and that’s a beautiful thing! And that’s just for starters, we now have the tools to continue the practice, and our self-compassion is only beginning to gain momentum.
- I am so grateful that I had the chance to take this mindful self-compassion course. The research the course is based on is sound and the corresponding practices are extremely effective and helpful to living a healthier life. The facilitators, Aimee Eckhardt and Dr. Tracy Ochester, provided a caring, professional and safe environment within which to learn and practice. Even though I feel I’ve just scratched the surface of my adventure into a life of mindful self compassion, I am already much more able to be a better friend to myself which has resulted in me experiencing a more content, peaceful and grounded life. I am a person who is beginning to understand how to give myself the care I need – and it shows in every aspect of my life – from my personal life to my work relationships and productivity. I think every person on this planet could benefit from the insights this course offers, but it is especially helpful to those of us who struggle to befriend ourselves but desire true connection and peace.
Compassion is the common thread that binds Dr. Ochester’s personal practice and professional work, understanding that we are best able to alleviate the suffering of others when we attend to our own.
Ochester Psychological Services 