IMP Lecture Series, Boston, Massachusetts

Mindful Self-Compassion

Presenter: Kristy Arbon

Mindful Self-compassion is the emotional attitude of mindfulness when we contact our own suffering. While mindful awareness is typically directed toward moment-to-moment experience, self-compassion focuses on the experiencer. Mindfulness says, “Open to your suffering with spacious awareness and it will change.” Self-compassion adds, “Be kind to yourself in the midst of suffering and it will change.” Mindfulness asks, “What do I know?” and self-compassion asks, “What do I need?”

Mindful self-compassion can be learned by anyone, even those who didn’t receive enough affection in childhood or who find it embarrassing to be kind to oneself.

About the Lecture Series

Returning for its tenth year, this monthly Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy Lecture Series is a continuing education (CE) program for psychotherapists interested in Buddhist psychology, meditation, or mindfulness. Each lecture will address theoretical and clinical issues at the interface of these rich healing traditions, with topics ranging from addictions to forgiveness to countertransference.

These community evenings offer an opportunity to gather with colleagues in an informal setting to explore the intersection between Buddhist psychology and modern psychotherapy. This year’s presenters are long-term meditators with significant expertise in practice and in teaching.

Each presentation will be followed by Q&A and discussion, moderated by Christopher Willard, Psy.D.

2 CE’s are offered each evening to psychologists, social workers, nurses, LMFTs and LMHCs.

Fee: The fee is $25 per session for IMP members and $30 for non-members. You can also enroll in the full program for $175 (members) or $225 (non-members). Sorry, no refunds for missed sessions. The fee is $10 for mental health students with ID. Please register in advance by contacting The Arlington Center.