Self-Compassion and Emotional Resilience

For many years, self-esteem was considered one of the keys to our psychological well-being, but recent research has identified some possible drawbacks in pursuing self-esteem, such as ego-defensiveness, narcissism, and social comparisons. In fact, pursuing self-esteem can create instability of self-worth. Some research implies that self-compassion may be a better and healthier way to relate to ourselves. Self-compassion offers the rewards of having self-esteem without any of its drawbacks.

Self-compassion involves treating ourselves with love and compassion, just as we would a dear and close friend. Rather than evaluating ourselves as either being a good person or a bad person, we can learn to treat ourselves with kindness, recognize that no human is perfect, and learn to be present with the struggles in life that seem to be inevitable. Having compassion for ourselves motivates us to change our lives, not because we feel inadequate or worthless, but because we want to ease our suffering and experience quality of life.

This web conference will present empirical research that demonstrates the association between self-compassion and psychological health. We will distinguish between self-pity, self-indulgence, self-esteem, and self-compassion and discuss how self-compassion may be an effective tool to motivate oneself instead of criticizing oneself. We will evaluate a randomized controlled trial conducted by Dr. Chris Germer on the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program, and learn some of the MSC program's techniques for use in daily life. Finally, the topic of self-compassion for mental health professionals will be discussed, and a practice designed to help professionals cope with caregiver burnout will be provided.

This web conference is intermediate instructional level and designed to help clinicians:

1. Describe what self-compassion is and how it is different from self-esteem;
2. Discuss key research that supports the benefits of self-compassion;
3. Practice techniques to increase self-compassion in everyday life;
4. Utilize self-compassion to cope with caregiver burnout.

If you have any questions or concerns about this web conference, or would like more information, please contact us here.

Event Reviews from Members

"Dr. Kristin Neff is a wonderful presenter. She gave one of the best presentations I've ever seen on GoodTherapy.org. It was packed with solid information, research, and practical techniques, but Kristin made it captivating and engaging with her audience, even through the modality of a webinar. I could sense her enthusiasm and passion for self-compassion and am so impressed with her work and her presentation." - Kristen Martinez, MEd, EdS, LMHCA, NCC

Continuing Education (CE) Information

Two continuing education credit hours will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety. This web conference is approved for continuing education credit hours by the following boards and associations:

• American Psychological Association (APA)

• Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)

GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content and is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.

GoodTherapy.org, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0395. 

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can attend this live web conference for $30.95 or access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us.

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