Course Overview
Based on the ground-breaking research of Kristin Neff and the clinical expertise of Christopher Germer, MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult moments in their lives with kindness, care and understanding.
It can be particularly helpful for health professionals and carers. MSC is an empirically-supported, 8-9 week training program designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion, and is finally available in the Illawarra.
The three key components of self-compassion are self-kindness, a sense of common humanity, and balanced, mindful awareness. 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. Mindfulness opens us to the present moment, so we can accept our experience with greater ease. Together they comprise a state of warm-hearted, connected presence.
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.
Course Outcomes
After participating in this program, 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 savouring and self-appreciation
We would like to thank the Centre of Mindful Self-Compassion for their permission to use the above information.
Course Schedule
TERM 4 2024
Saturday 19th October 2024 2-5pm All Saturday sessions at Woonona Medical Practice
Saturday 26th October 2024 2-5pm
Saturday 2nd November 2024 2-5pm
Saturday 9th November 2024 2-5pm
Saturday 16th November 2024 2-5pm
Saturday 23rd November 2024 2-5pm
Saturday 30th November 2024 2-5pm
Sunday 8th December 2024 10am-3pm Mt Keira Girl Guides Camp
Saturday 14th December 2024 2-5pm
Contact Adele
Especially if you’d like to discuss whether the course would be suitable for you.
Articles, videos, research, apps and more!
To be kept informed about Mindfulness & Pain Explained offerings (3-4 emails per year)
Course Costs
Our goal is to keep the course accessible to all those who could benefit.
The full cost is $630.
For Pension and Centrelink Health Card Card holders the cost is $450.
There is a 5% discount for regular Woonona Medical Practice patients and a 20% discount If repeating the course.
Those experiencing financial hardship are welcome to contact Adele to discuss a subsidised place. Payment plans will incur an extra $25 due to the extra admin involved.
Schedule and Prerequisites
MSC courses are run 1-2 times per year for 8 weekly sessions (plus one 5-hour retreat, which sometimes makes it 9 weeks) usually coinciding with the school term. Each session has a 15 minute break. It is important to attend every session if at all possible. Zoom sessions are available if unwell or away.
The weekly sessions support the daily home practice of up to 30 minutes of formal and informal practices.
No previous experience with mindfulness or meditation is required to attend MSC. To ensure safety, participants are asked to provide background information when they register for the programme.