The Short Course in Mindful Self-Compassion

Overview

Join us for a FREE SC-MSC Information Session on Tuesday, June 9th from 6-6:45pm PT

REGISTER HERE

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The Short Course in Mindful Self-Compassion (SC-MSC) is a 6-week adaptation of the empirically-supported 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program designed to begin the cultivation of the skills of self-compassion. SC-MSC was developed by Kristin Neff, PhD, the pioneering researcher in the field of self-compassion and Christopher Germer, PhD, a leader in the integration of mindfulness, compassion and psychotherapy. 

Most of us feel compassion for our close friends when they are struggling. What would it be like to receive the same caring attention from yourself when you needed it most? All that’s required is a shift in attention—recognizing that as a human being, you, too, are a worthy recipient of compassion. Self-compassion involves the capacity to comfort and soothe ourselves, and to motivate ourselves with encouragement, when we suffer, fail, or feel inadequate. Self-compassion is learned in part by connecting with our innate compassion for others and including ourselves in that circle of compassion. The practice of self-compassion also helps to grow and sustain our compassion for others. 

The SC-MSC program draws on the skills of mindfulness and focuses on developing the resource of self-compassion to enhance our capacity for emotional wellbeing.  Burgeoning research shows that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional wellbeing, coping with life challenges, lower levels of anxiety and depression, healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and more satisfying personal relationships. It is an inner strength that enables us to be more fully human—more fully ourselves. 

Fortunately, self-compassion can be learned by anyone, even those of us who did not learn these skills as children. 

This program is designed for members of the general public, based on the values of equity, diversity, inclusiveness and belonging. Meditation experience is not necessary to participate in SC-MSC. All are welcome!  

Program activities include short talks, experiential exercises, group discussion, and home practices.  SC-MSC is an opportunity to explore how we typically respond when difficulties arise in our lives and to learn tools for becoming a warm and supportive companion to ourselves.

Objectives
  • Articulate the basic theoretical underpinnings and research findings related to self-compassion
  • Develop and apply self-compassion practices to motivate themselves with encouragement rather than self-criticism
  • Develop the capacity to contend with challenges and difficulties through awareness of self-kindness, common humanity and mindfulness.
  • Apply core self-compassion practices into daily life
Continuing Education
Continuing Education Credits:

CE Credits require an additional $15 fee - paid for before the start date of the program. You must attend all sessions in order to receive the CE certificate.

Continuing Education Credits are awarded in the following categories: American Psychological Association (APA) and Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).

Psychologists

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. 6.0 CE credit.

California Licensed MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, LCSWs

This activity is an approved continuing education program by the American Psychological Association. Credit hours may be applied to your license renewal through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. 6.0 CE credit.

Nurses

UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing to sponsor continuing education. Provider Number CEP16351. 7.0 contact hours.

Cancellation Policy

A refund (minus your $50 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit) will be made for cancellations submitted in writing up to 7 days prior to the event start date by emailing mindfulness@ucsd.edu. No refunds will be allowed within 6 days of the event start date.

Please be aware that the registration fee, deposits, and funds are non-transferable to other programs.

In the unlikely event that the course is cancelled, UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is responsible only for a full refund of the registration fee. In regards to the In-Person Programs, the center is not responsible for any refunds to transportation, hotel accommodations, or any miscellaneous expenses.

The refunds are processed in the same method as the payments were submitted (unless past 180 days).

Contact Email
mindfulness@ucsd.edu
Primary Center
Price
$375
Pricing Details
EARLY BIRD RATE: $350 (up to 30 days before the start date)

UC San Diego Students/Employees may take the course for $350 ($325 if paid in full 30 days in advance).
Audience Type
Program Summary
A 6-week online course introducing the core skills of self-compassion to build emotional resilience, reduce anxiety and self-criticism, and strengthen well-being and relationships.
Use phased schedule
Off
Program Session
Sundays, 1-2:30 PM PT
Wednesdays, 6-7:30 PM PT
Online
Enrollment requirement

CFM requires a minimum of 10 registrants. Programs with fewer than 10 will be canceled and fully refunded.

6-Week Mindful Performance and Resilience @ Work

Overview

The UC San DIego Center for Mindfulness offers a transformative 6-week online program designed specifically for workplace professionals in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. The Mindful Performance and Resilience @ Work program equips participants with practical tools to combat burnout and restore balance in their professional and personal lives.

Through highly experiential, interactive sessions, you'll learn to sharpen focus and manage distractions, and break free from autopilot reactions to make goal-aligned decisions.

With self-awareness, you can recognize your limiting judgments and cultivate curiosity to shift from a fixed mindset to one of growth and innovation.

Develop self-compassion and empathy for yourself and colleagues. Learn strategies for having more mindful, compassionate conversations that enhance workplace relationships.

Grounded in neuroscience and designed for immediate application, this program empowers you to build sustainable resilience and perform at your best while maintaining well-being.

Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Session 1: Strengthen Focus & Awareness Learn the science of mindfulness and practical techniques to manage distractions, reduce multitasking, and enhance attention in high-demand environments.
  • Session 2: Move from Autopilot to Intentional Action. Recognize automatic patterns, clarify your values and goals, and make conscious decisions aligned with what matters most.
  • Session 3: Shift Perspective & Reduce Bias Cultivate curiosity over judgment, recognize unconscious biases, and develop a growth mindset that fosters innovation and collaboration.
  • Session 4: Build Self-Compassion & Empathy Practice treating yourself with kindness during challenges and extend genuine compassion to colleagues and team members.
  • Session 5: Communicate with Mindfulness & Compassion Develop skills for clear, empathetic communication that strengthens relationships and navigates difficult conversations effectively.
  • Session 6: Integrate Practices into Daily Work Life Create a sustainable personal plan to maintain mindfulness and resilience practices in your everyday work routine.
Cancellation Policy

A refund (minus your $50 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit) will be made for cancellations submitted in writing up to 7 days prior to the event by emailing mindfulness@health.ucsd.edu. No refunds will be allowed within 6 days of the event start date.

Please be aware that the registration fee, deposits, and funds are non-transferable to other programs.

In the unlikely event that the course is cancelled, UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is responsible only for a full refund of the registration fee. In regards to the In-Person Programs, the center is not responsible for any refunds to transportation, hotel accommodations, or any miscellaneous expenses.

The refunds are processed in the same method as the payments were submitted (unless past 180 days).

Contact Email
mindfulness@ucsd.edu
Primary Center
Price
$375
Pricing Details
EARLY BIRD RATE: $350 (up to 30 days before the start date)

UC San Diego Students/Employees may take the course for $350 ($325 up to 30 days before the start date)
Audience Type
Program Summary
A 6-week online program for workplace professionals offering practical mindfulness tools to reduce burnout, sharpen focus, strengthen resilience, and improve workplace relationships.
Use phased schedule
Off
Program Session
Thursdays, 5–6 PM PT
Enrollment requirement

CFM requires a minimum of 10 registrants. Programs with fewer than 10 will be canceled and fully refunded.

Helen Hyun-Chung Kim Profile

First Name
Helen
Last Name
Kim
Institution Affiliation
Headshot Image
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Helen Hyun-Chung Kim
Titles
Certified MBSR Teacher, Certified MBCT Teacher
Organizational Roles
Short Bio

Helen Hyun-Chung Kim is a Certified MBSR and MBCT teacher and former psychiatrist. She brings deep compassion and clinical insight to her mindfulness teaching, supporting healing, awareness, and self-discovery.

Bio

Helen Hyun-Chung Kim is a Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy teacher. In her previous life she was a board-certified psychiatrist in Korea for 15 years, serving underserved communities. During that time she witnessed profound suffering in her patients and felt drawn toward mindfulness and self-compassion as paths toward healing.

With guidance from founding director Dr. Steve Hickman, Helen joined UC San Diego’s Center for Mindfulness, where she studied a range of mindfulness-based programs with many respected teachers. Through this journey she developed a grounded foundation rooted in awareness, acceptance, ease, and compassion.

Helen is committed to sharing what she has learned with others on their own paths of healing and self-discovery, offering a warm, steady presence shaped by both clinical experience and contemplative practice.

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Cheryl Shah

First Name
Cheryl
Last Name
Shah
Institution Affiliation
Headshot Image
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Cheryl Shah
Titles
Workplace Program Co-Director, Certified MBSR Teacher, Certified MSC Teacher
Organizational Roles
Short Bio

Cheryl Shah is a Certified MBSR and MSC teacher and Workplace Program Co-Director with more than 20 years of corporate leadership experience. She brings mindfulness and self-compassion into real-world professional settings, helping individuals build resilience, clarity, and balance.

Bio

Cheryl has over 20 years of finance and corporate experience in leadership roles, working in a high-demanding career while raising two daughters. The daily stress she faced led her to conclude there must be a better way to live and work. She witnessed firsthand the negative impacts of long work hours, stress, and pressure on individuals and the emotional and mental pain suffered in the workplace.

Her extensive professional background informs her teaching, making her an accessible and compassionate guide who translates mindfulness and compassion into language that feels relevant and practical.

Cheryl first discovered meditation in college when her wandering mind created difficulties in her studies. She later learned about mindfulness through Mindful Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in 2005 and pursued Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) in 2010. She attended a 10-day silent Vipassana retreat in Joshua Tree in 2013 and continues retreat practice annually.

She embodies mindfulness and self-compassion through daily practice, emphasizing the power of pausing to respond with intention. Cheryl ultimately left her finance career to launch Simply Pause, supporting others in changing their relationship with stress and cultivating wiser, more compassionate lives.

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Ryan Wexler

First Name
Ryan
Last Name
Wexler
Credentials (Display)
ND, MS
REACH Roles
CIH Partner Institution
Faculty
Headshot Image
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Ryan Wexler, ND, MS
Titles
Assistant Research Investigator
Research Areas
Naturopathy, pain medicine
REACH Partner Role
Bio

Ryan Wexler, ND, MSCR, is a naturopathic physician-scientist and Assistant Professor at the Helfgott Research Institute at the National University of Natural Medicine. His research focuses on developing and evaluating multicomponent, mind-body interventions for patients with chronic pain, with particular emphasis on conditions involving nociplastic pain and central sensitization, such as chronic back pain and lumbosacral radiculopathy. Dr. Wexler uses mixed methods to examine how mind-body interventions affect physical function and psychosocial outcomes – including motivation, autonomy, and self-efficacy. His work also utilizes objective assessments including inertial measurement units, quantitative sensory testing, and actigraphy. He is particularly interested in the potential of digital health tools to increase accessibility and scalability of mind-body therapies. His research centers community and patient engagement by integrating stakeholder feedback throughout the research process from intervention development to dissemination.

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Cassandra Vieten

First Name
Cassandra
Last Name
Vieten
Credentials (Display)
PhD
Institution Affiliation
REACH Roles
Leadership
Co-PI
Mentor
Scientist
UCSD REACH Team
Headshot Image
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Cassandra Vieten, PhD
Titles
Clinical Professor, Family Medicine; Director, Center for Mindfulness
Research Areas
Mind-body interventions, mindfulness, compassion science
Short Bio

Cassandra Vieten, PhD, is Clinical Professor and Director of the Center for Mindfulness at the Centers for Integrative Health in the Department of Family Medicine at UC San Diego. Her research focuses on mindfulness-based interventions, spirituality and health, and transformative experiences that support emotional well-being.

Bio

Cassandra Vieten is Clinical Professor and Director of the Center for Mindfulness at the Centers for Integrative Health in the Department of Family Medicine at UC San Diego. She is also Director of Research at the Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination and Clinical Psychology Director at the Psychedelics and Health Research Initiative at UCSD. She is Senior Advisor of the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation where she served as Executive Director from 2019-2023, and a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, where she served as President from 2013-2019.

Her research has focused on spirituality and health, transformative experiences and practices, the development of mindfulness-based interventions for emotional well-being, and development of media technologies to inspire awe. She received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies, and completed her research training in behavioral genetics at UC San Francisco. She has authored three books, published numerous articles in scientific journals, and is an internationally recognized keynote speaker and workshop leader.

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