Self-Compassion for personal and professional practice - Melbourne

Self-Compassion for personal and professional practice

with Associate Professor Amy Finlay-Jones

Self-Compassion is an essential focus for clinicians – come and learn how to apply this focus to both your clients and yourself!

This workshop will provide a comprehensive grounding in core elements of self-compassion theory, research, and practice and is designed for therapists wishing to work with self-compassion as a personal practice (i.e., the intrapersonal realm) as well as those interested in understanding how self-compassion can be integrated into psychotherapy, both as an interpersonal practice (i.e., compassionate relationship) and as a direct practice with clients.

In this workshop we will explore the theoretical foundations of self-compassion and discuss the evidence for self-compassion as a means of promoting wellbeing and presence for those working in the caring professions. We will also discuss theory and research that speaks to self-compassion as a transdiagnostic mechanism of action in therapy and discuss the use of self-compassion-based approaches with clients with specific presenting issues.

Using a range of individual, dyadic and group practices, we will work with the felt experience of self-compassion, as well exploring how and for whom self-compassion practices can be integrated into therapeutic sessions. Additionally, we will reflect on the importance of self-compassion in therapeutic relationships and learn strategies to model and incorporate self-compassion into relationships with clients.

About this event:

The format will be an all-day workshop, lecture-style presentation, with some small-group work and experiential practice.

Key Learning Objectives

1. Understand the theoretical and empirical basis of self-compassion as a transdiagnostic mechanism of change in therapy.
2. Experience the personal practice of self-compassion and understand the importance of personal practice when using compassion-based approaches with clients.
3. Explore methods for integrating self-compassion into therapy with clients.

This session is suitable for all levels of clinicians/ therapists.

Duration & Format / Training Modalities

This event will be 7 hours for CPD. This event includes all catering in the ticket price - please indicate any dietary restrictions.

Doors open at 8:30am for a 9am start.

References – readings

1. Germer, C., (2023) Self-compassion in psychotherapy: Clinical integration, evidence base, and mechanisms of change. In Finlay-Jones et al. (eds.), Handbook of Self-Compassion, Mindfulness in Behavioral Health, Springer.
2. Brähler, C. (2023) Self-compassion in trauma treatment. In Finlay-Jones et al. (eds.), Handbook of Self-Compassion, Mindfulness in Behavioral Health, Springer.
3. Finlay-Jones, A. (2023). A house with many doors – toward a more nuanced self-compassion intervention science. In Finlay-Jones et al. (eds.), Handbook of Self-Compassion, Mindfulness in Behavioral Health, Springer.

Amy is an academic, psychologist, and contemplative practice facilitator who is dedicated to helping others cultivate more balanced, connected, and meaningful lives through compassion and mindfulness practice. She is a skilled group facilitator with over 10 years of experience delivering mindfulness- and compassion-based approaches in clinical, community, and organisational settings.

Amy is a certified Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) facilitator and a trained Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) teacher. She is also trained to teach the Mindfulness Based Compassionate Living program and the Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens program.

Amy holds master’s degrees in clinical psychology and health economics and a PhD in clinical psychology. She is involved in ongoing research that investigates the effects of compassion training on intra- and interpersonal wellbeing. She has developed several online self-compassion training programs, and is the lead editor of the Handbook of Self-Compassion.

Associate Professor Amy Finlay-Jones

Curtin University, Telethon Kids Institute; University of Western Australia