Self-Compassion and the Cultivation of Happiness

A Day-Long Seminar with Kristin Neff, Ph.D.


  • Venue: International House, UC Berkeley campus
  • Date: November 7, 2014
  • Time: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • Price: $125 - $149

Registration for the live webcast of this event has CLOSED. However, you can still register to attend in person.

This day-long seminar led by self-compassion pioneer Kristin Neff, will offer strategies for cultivating self-compassion, boosting happiness, and reducing stress in yourself and others.

Self-compassion is a skill that can be learned by anyone. It involves generating feelings of kindness and care toward ourselves as imperfect human beings, and learning to be present with greater ease during life's inevitable struggles. It is an antidote to harsh self-criticism, making us feel connected to others when we suffer, rather than feeling isolated and alienated. Unlike self-esteem, the good feelings of self-compassion do not depend on being special and better than other people; instead, they come from caring about ourselves and embracing our commonalities.

A large and growing body of research, much of it conducted by Dr. Neff, suggests that self-compassion reduces anxiety, makes us more resilient in the face of challenges, and improves overall our mental health.

Drawing on a decade of her trailblazing research, Dr. Neff will provide simple tools for giving ourselves the support we need whenever we suffer, fail, or feel inadequate. She will provide an introductory overview of self-compassion, weaving together lecture, scientific research, video presentations, small group exercises, and discussion.

Her seminar will offer valuable resources for mental health professionals, but her emphasis on personal practice makes this seminar appropriate for the general public as well.

  • 8:30 - 9:00

    Registration and Check-In

  • 9:00 - 10:30

    The Science of Self-Compassion

  • 10:30 - 10:45

    Break

  • 10:45 - 12:00

    Mindfulness and Managing Difficult Emotions

  • 12:00 - 1:00

    Lunch (on your own)

  • 1:00 - 2:30

    Loving-Kindness and Self-Compassionate Motivation

  • 2:30-2:45

    Break

  • 2:45 - 4:30

    Compassion for Others, Caregiving, and Self-Appreciation

  • {mtx_speakers_name}

    Kristin Neff, Ph.D.

    Dr. Kristin Neff is an Associate Professor in Human Development and Culture, Educational Psychology Department, University of Texas at Austin. She is the author of the book Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself.

    In addition to her pioneering research into self-compassion, she has developed an 8-week program to teach self-compassion skills. The program, co-created with her colleague Chris Germer at Harvard University, is called Mindful Self-Compassion. Her book titled "Self-Compassion" was published by William Morrow in April, 2011.

International House is on the University of California, Berkeley campus at the corner of Piedmont Avenue and Bancroft Way, adjacent to the stadium. Address: 2299 Piedmont Avenue Berkeley, CA 94720. 

By Car

Parking around the International House (I-House) and the UC Berkeley campus can be difficult. In non-metered areas, parking is free for two hours and unregulated after 7 pm. Meters are free with a California disabled placard. If you do drive, here are several public parking lots within a few blocks of the I-House.

Parking

Parking on the UC Berkeley campus is challenging. Street parking at meters is free after 6 pm. In non-metered areas, parking is free for two hours and unregulated after 7 pm. Meters are free with a California disabled placard.

1. UNDERHILL LOT: Located at the corner of Channing and College, this lot is a 5-10 minute walk from I-House.

2. RSF LOT: Located at the corner of Bancroft Way and Ellsworth Street, a 15-20 minute walk to I-House uphill.

3. LOWER HEARST STRUCTURE LOT: Located at the corner of Hearst and Euclid. A 15-20 minute walk to I-House.

4. UNIVERSITY HALL WEST LOT: Located on Addison between Oxford and Shattuck. A 20-25 minute walk to I-House uphill. 

There is also on-street parking on Piedmont Avenue and the other streets around the I-House, some with blue disabled zones, meters and some non-metered. In non-metered areas, parking is free for two hours. (There will be breaks in the program every 60-90 minutes, during which time attendees can even exchange parking spots with one another.) If you plan to look for on-street parking, you may want to add a few minutes to your estimated travel time.

For UC Berkeley parking Information, call (510) 642-4283 or visit http://pt.berkeley.edu/parking/visitor/lots.

 

Public Transit
Parking around the International House can be difficult, so we encourage you to take public transportation whenever possible to avoid parking fines and ease traffic congestion. Some services require exact fare only (e.g., AC Transit Buses and Campus Shuttle Service). BART and AC Transit buses are used jointly by commuters to come to campus.

BART
BART trains operate from Fremont, Richmond, Pittsburg and Millbrae. A map indicating the route and stops of each train is located at each station. The Berkeley BART station is just 1-1/2 blocks from the Berkeley campus. There are shuttles that run from the BART to the International House. Click here for more information on taking public transportation to the I-House. (Please note that the shuttle pick-up near BART is on Shattuck Ave, between Center and Addison Streets.)

Get off at the "Downtown Berkeley" station.

The campus shuttle from Downtown Berkeley is located across from BART at Center & Shattuck, in front of Bank of America. The bus stops in front of the I-House.

Note: walking from the Berkeley BART station to I-House will take 20-25 minutes up a moderate hill. http://www.bart.gov

AC Transit
AC Transit  bus service provides transportation for commuters to and from San Francisco and throughout Alameda and Western Contra Costa County. There are several AC bus lines that come near the campus area.
The Oakland Airport is approximately 15 miles from UC Berkeley.
San Francisco Airport: Check the ground transport section of the SF airport homepage for directions to Berkeley. Also, see the convenient BART line to the airport.

Other Transit Links
511.org (Traffic conditions and regional transportation options)
Bayporter Express (airport shuttle service)
Muni (San Francisco Buses)
Caltrain (Commuter train service from San Francisco and San Jose)

Registration for the live webcast of this event has CLOSED. However, you can still register to attend in person.

If you can’t make it to the San Francisco Bay Area, never fear: This event will be webcast live!

With the webcast, you’ll watch real-time video of the event, including slides, be able to submit questions to the presenter online, and receive CE credits—all from the comfort of your home, office, or anywhere with a hard-wired Internet connection. You will be emailed prior to the event with course materials and a login and password for the webcast.

* Attendees can receive 6 CE credit hours for attending in-person or online.
* Continuing Education for this event co-sponsored by R. Cassidy Seminars.

Alcoholism & Drug Counselors: Provider approved by CFAAP/CAADAC. Provider 4N-00-434-0214 for 6 CEHs. CAADAC is an ICRC member which has reciprocity with most ICRC member states.

ICF Coaches: ICF coaches can receive a certificate confirming 6 RD hours.

Nurses: Provider approved by the CA Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CeP12224, for (6) contact hours.

Physicians: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the Institute for the Advancement of Human Behavior (IAHB) and the Greater Good Science Center. IAHB is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. IAHB designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.00 AMA PRA Category1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Psychologists: R. Cassidy Seminars is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. R. Cassidy Seminars maintains responsibility for this program. (6) CE hours.

Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs), and Counselors: California: Course meets the qualifications for (6) hours of continuing education credit for MFTs and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, Provider #PCE418. R. Cassidy Seminars is an approved provider for Social Work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Board (ASWB) through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) Program. ACE Provider #1082. www.aswb.org Approval Period April 15, 2012 – April 15, 2015. 6 CE hours. R. Cassidy Seminars is a National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP™) and may offer NBCC approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements. The ACEP solely is responsible for all aspects of the program. (NBCC Provider #6375).

  • Identify the three key components of self-compassion
  • Understand the difference between self-compassion and self-esteem
  • Practice techniques to increase self-compassion in oneself and others
  • Find self-motivation using kindness rather than self-criticism
  • Describe key research that supports the benefits of self-compassion

 

Alt placeholder

Subscribe to our free e-newsletters