Self-Compassion Osher Center for Integrative Medicine Thursday, May 14, 2015 Dr. Helene Moore, Psy.D. Dr. Maggie Crowley, Psy.D.
Dec 25, 2015
Self-CompassionOsher Center for Integrative Medicine
Thursday, May 14, 2015Dr. Helene Moore, Psy.D.Dr. Maggie Crowley, Psy.D.
Centering Exercise
The time will comewhen, with elationyou will greet yourself arrivingat your own door, in your own mirrorand each will smile at the other’s welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat. You will love again the stranger who was your self.Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heartto itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignoredfor another, who knows you by heart.Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes, peel your own image from the mirror.Sit. Feast on your life.
“Love After Love” by Derek Walcott
What is Self-Compassion?
• Treating ourselves with the same kindness, care and concern that we would give to a close friend.
• Being kind without judgment.
• Giving ourselves permission to be human.
Gestures of Self-Compassion
• Hand Over Heart - Metaphor for kindness (comfort, peace, acceptance)
• Open Arms - Metaphor for common humanity
• Open Palms - Metaphor for mindfulness
•Making Fists - Metaphor for self-criticism
Why Not Be Self-Compassionate?
• I’ve gotta be tough.• It’s for wimps.• I’m letting myself off the hook - not taking responsibility.• I’m being selfish.• I’m deluding myself.• It will undermine my motivation.
Really?
What we tell ourselves…
No, Not Really!
• The HARDER we are on ourselves when trying to make a change, the LESS likely we are to succeed and the MORE likely we are to have set backs.
• Self-criticism actually moves us AWAY form our goals.
• Self-criticism shuts down self-awareness…We miss the opportunity to learn from our circumstances.
Research on self-criticism & behavior change suggests otherwise:
Self-Criticism Produces
Shame
Need to Self Soothe
Turn toward behaviors trying to change
Moving away from our goals:
Benefits of Self-Compassion
•Well-Being•Motivation• Personal Accountability• Resilience• Healthier Behaviors• Better Physical Health• Healthier Body Image and Eating• Better Romantic Relationships• Other-Focused Concern
Research suggests it is positively linked to:
Can Self-Compassion Be Taught?
Mindfulness Training
Compassion-Focused Therapy
Self-Compassion
Letter Writing
Meditations for Body
Image
Yes! Absolutely! Of Course! No Doubt!