Why MSC?
Interested in learning to be kinder to yourself when you’re suffering? Wish you had better tools for handling difficult emotions? Want to motivate yourself with encouragement rather than criticism and start to leave that harsh inner-critical voice behind? The Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program includes exercises, meditations, and lessons on mindfulness, compassion for ourselves, difficult emotions, transforming the inner critic, and more.
We feel compassion and respond with kindness when a close friend is struggling. What would it be like to be able to offer yourself the same caring attention when you need it most?
What to Expect
This 8-week course includes:
- Guided instruction in mindful self-compassion practices and meditations
- Skill building exercises for managing difficult emotions and developing compassion
- Learning how to motivate yourself with encouragement rather than criticism
- Learning how to stop being so hard on yourself and open to more happiness and joy
- Group dialogue and small group exercises
- Eight 2.5 hour classroom sessions
- A weekend retreat day of practice
More about MSC
In MSC you will learn:
- How to stop being so hard on yourself
- How to handle difficult emotions with greater ease
- How to motivate yourself with encouragement rather than criticism
- Mindfulness and self-compassion practices for home and everyday life
- The theory and research behind mindful self-compassion
Mindfulness strengthens being able to turn toward and acknowledge our difficult thoughts and feelings with a spirit of openness and curiosity. Self-compassion involves responding to difficult thoughts and feelings with kindness, sympathy and understanding so that we soothe and comfort ourselves when we’re hurting.
Research has shown that self-compassion greatly enhances emotional well-being. It boosts happiness, reduces anxiety and depression, and can even help maintain healthy lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise. Being both mindful and compassionate leads to greater ease and well-being in our daily lives.
Preparing for MSC
If you’re unsure about registering for a course, please contact the Mindfulness Northwest office. We want to be sure there is sufficient support for you and that the timing is right for taking our courses.
Continuing Education Essentials
Continuing Education Credit is available for many professions:
- In our 8-week MIndfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) courses, APA CE's & BRN's are available for psychologists, nurses, MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and LCSWs. Note that requests for continuing ed after a course has begun incur a $50 late fee.
- in our 5-week Mindfulness for Healthcare Professionals (MHP) course, CME credit is available for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Regarding partial attendance:
- For APA CE's (MBSR & MSC), complete attendance of the course is required. We can sometimes offer make-up classes in a parallel course, but this is not always available. If you know you will miss a session, we recommend that you wait to register for a series when you can plan to attend all sessions.
- For CME's, the attendance requirement is more flexible: credit can be pro-rated to the number of hours you attend.
Scroll to CE details for MHP | MBSR | MSC
5-week Mindfulness for Healthcare Providers (MHP) Course
Physicians, nurses, therapists, and social workers: PeaceHealth St. Joseph designates this live activity for a maximum of 16.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. It meets the criteria for Category I CME credit to satisfy the relicensure requirements of the Washington State Medical Quality Assurance Commission.
Learning Objectives for the 5-week Mindfulness for Healthcare Providers Course. After this education, learners should be able to:
- Choose appropriate mindfulness training techniques in preventive and responsive ways in high-stress situations.
- Utilize appropriate mindfulness practices to mitigate the risk factors for burnout.
- Discuss strategies with peers for a more positive, mindful engagement in work and home situations that have previously triggered stress response and unhelpful behaviors.
- Identify helpful vs. unhelpful thought patterns, problem solving, emotional regulation, and meaning-focused coping strategies.
- Demonstrate meaningful change in personal mindfulness, perceived stress, and burnout as shown in standardized measures administered pre- and post-activity.
8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Course
Psychologists: Up to 27.0 CE Continuing Education Credits for this program are provided by UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Licensed MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, LCSWs: Up to 27.0 Continuing Education Credits for this program are provided by UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. 27.0 CE credit may be applied to your license renewal through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Nurses: UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP16351, for 32.0 contact hours.
UCSD CE Learning Objectives for the 8 week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course:
- Articulate the key aspects of mindfulness as it relates to stress reduction, coping with pain and illness and enhancing well-being
- Differentiate MBSR from relaxation and other distraction techniques that may seem similar but are fundamentally and theoretically quite different in contending with difficulty and enhancing quality of life
- Apply mindfulness techniques in both personal and professional settings as a means of contending more effectively with the demands of both settings
- Integrate mindfulness into social interaction with patients, colleagues, supervisors, family and friends to facilitate more effective and mindful communication
- Articulate the potential benefits of mindfulness-based stress reduction (and mindfulness in general) to educate patients and their families about the benefits of such programs in their own lives
- Implement brief mindfulness practices with patients and family members as a means of contending with acute pain, anxiety and distress.
CE Registrants are responsible for completing all requirements for attendance or making up missed classes, as well as completing the post class evaluation by no later than 3 days after the last class meeting. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of CE’s.
8-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Course
Psychologists: Up to 24.0 Continuing Education Credits for this program are provided by UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Licensed MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, LCSWs: Up to 24.0 Continuing Education Credits for this program are provided by UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Credits may be applied to your license renewal through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Nurses: UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP16351, for 28.75 contact hours.
UCSD CE Learning Objectives for the 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) class:
- Describe the theory and research supporting mindful self-compassion
- Develop and apply self-compassion practices to motivate themselves with encouragement rather than self-criticism
- Assess and manage difficult situations and emotions with greater moment-to-moment acceptance
- Develop and apply self-compassion practices to respond to feelings of failure or inadequacy with self-kindness
- Transform difficult relationships, old and new, through self-validation
- Utilize the art of savoring and self-appreciation to overcome negative attention bias
- Apply core mindfulness and self-compassion practices into daily life
- Demonstrate simple self-compassion practices to patients, students, or clients
CE Registrants are responsible for completing all requirements for attendance or making up missed classes, as well as completing the post class evaluation by no later than 3 days after the last class meeting. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of CE’s.
Wondering what this class is like? You can also sign up for a FREE 90 minute introduction to this curriculum:
SCHEDULE
Tuesdays, July 22 – September 9, 2025
6:30 – 9:00pm PT
All-Day Retreat (Online):
Saturday, August 23, 9am – 4pm PT
TEACHERS
Catherine Duffy
LOCATION
Offered Live Online. Zoom link will be sent to you by email once you register.
COST
$415 - $625 (or $104 – $156/month)
- Sliding scale: Choose what’s right for you.
- Payment plan option: 4-months, no-interest.
- Scholarships available: No need to apply; just choose a scholarship tuition during registration.
Attend with a Friend Discount
When you and a friend both register for this class, you can both take 20% off! Use code "MindfulFriends" at checkout.
CONTINUING EDUCATION IS AVAILABLE
CE Credits: American Psychological Association approved credits are available for Psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and LCSWs.
BRN Credits: Board of Registered Nursing approved credits are available for Nurses.
See "Continuing Education Essentials" below for details.
Meet Your Instructor
Wondering what this class is like? You can also sign up for a FREE 90 minute introduction to this curriculum:
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