South Florida Psychology
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    • Christorpher J. Fichera, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist
    • Sharon M. Theroux, Ph.D., ABPP, Licensed Psychologist
    • Kristen Prater, Office Manager
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Mindful Self-Compassion
Research

Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) have become well established evidenced-based complementary treatment modalities for psychological distress including depression and anxiety (Goyal et al, 2014), disturbed eating behaviors (Mason et al, 2017), addictions (Witkiewitz et al, 2013), and caregiver burnout (Krasner, 2009). MBPs are typically structured 8-week programs delivered by trained/certified teachers to heterogenous or homogeneous populations. 
Research has shown that one common outcome from participation in MBPs is an increase in self-compassion, which is linked to psychological well-being (MacBeth & Gumley, 2012). 
 
Compassion is an important element in psychotherapy.  The cultivation of self-compassion may help psychotherapists adopt a compassionate approach in the course of psychotherapeutic interventions, as well as improve patient care and promote job satisfaction (Scarlet, Altmeyer, Knier & Harpin, 2017). 
 
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is a structured, manualized (Germer & Neff, 2019) 8-Week MBP that combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion to enhance emotional resilience. Based on the groundbreaking research of Kristin Neff, PhD and the clinical expertise of Christopher Germer, PhD, MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to open to the present moment, feel connected to self and others and respond with compassion. 
By participating in the personal practice (PP) model, this opportunity for self-experiential learning may be helpful for therapists both at the personal and professional development levels.  Research has shown that mental health professionals who participate in this structured, manualized self-compassion training can increase self-compassion and psychological well-being (Yela et al, 2019), traits that are important in being an effective psychotherapist, and reduce caregiver burnout (Delaney, 2018 & Eriksson et al, 2018).  Further, therapists can share the practices learned in this program with clients to enhance their emotional resilience.

Bibliography

Delaney, M. C. (2018).  Caring for the Caregivers:  Evaluation of the effect of an eight-week pilot mindful self-compassion (MSC) training program on Nurses’ compassion   fatigue and resilience. 
PLoS ONE 13 (11): 0207261.   https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0207261.
 
Eriksson, T., Germundsjo, L., Astrom, E. & Ronnlund, M. (2018).  Mindful Self-  Compassion Training Reduces Stress and Burnout Symptoms Among Practicing   Psychologists:  A randomized controlled trial of a brief web-based intervention.   
  Frontiers in Psychology, 9:2340.  Doi:  10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02340.
 
Finlay-Jones, A., Kane, R., & rees, C. (2017).  Self-compassion online:  a pilot study of   an internet-based self-compassion program for psychology trainees.  Journal of   Clinical Psychology, 73, 1-20, doi:  10.1002/jclp/22375.
 
Fredrickson, B. L., Cohn, M. A., Coffey, K. A., Pek, J., & Finkel, S. M. (2008). Open hearts build lives: positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build   consequential personal resources. 
Journal of Personality and Social   Psychology, 95(5), 1045.
 
Germer, C. K., & Neff, K. D. (2019).  Teaching the mindful self-compassion program:  A guide for professionals. 
New York, NY:  The Guilford Press.
 
Goyal, M., Singh, S., Sibinga, E., Gould, N., Rowland-Seymour, A., Sharma, R., Berger,   Z., Sleicher, D.,  Maron, D., Shihab, H., Ranasinghe, P.,   Linn, S., Saha, S., Bass, E.,   Haythornwaite, J. (2014).  Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-  Being:  A systematic Review and Meta-analysis.  JAMA Internal Medicine.  doi  10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018
 
Krasner, M.S., Epstein, R. M., Suchman, A. L., & Chapman, B (2009).  Association of an   educational program in mindful communication with burnout, empathy, and attitudes among   primary care physicians. Jama 302 (12), 1284-1293
 
MacBeth, A., & Gumley, A. (2012). Exploring compassion: A meta-analysis of the   association between self-compassion and psychopathology. Clinical Psychology   Review, 32, 545-552. 
 
Neff, K., D., & Germer, C. K. (2018).  The mindful self-compassion workbook:  A proven way to accept yourself, build inner strength, and thrive.  New York, NY:  Ghe Guildford Press. 
 
Mason, A., E., Jhaveri, K., Cohn, M., & Brewer, J. A. (2017).  Testing a Mobile Mindful   Eating intervention targeting craving-related eating:  feasibility and proof of concept.   Journal of Behavioral Medicine, DOI 10.1007/s10865-017-9884-5
 
Scarlet, J., Altmeyer, N., Knier, S., & Harpin, R. E. (2017). The effects of Compassion   Cultivation Training (CCT) on health‐care workers. Clinical Psychologist, 21(2), 116–  124. https://doi.org/10.1111/cp.12130
 
Singer, T., & Klimecki, O. M. (2014). Empathy and compassion. Current Biology, 24(18),  875-878.
 
Witkiewitz, K., Lustyk, M. K., & Bowen, S. (2013).  Re-training the Addicted Brain:  A   review of hypothesized Neurobiological Mechanisms of Mindfulness-Based Relapse   Prevention.  Psychology of Addictive Behavior, 27 (2), 351-365.
 
Yela, J. R., Gomez-Martinez, M. A., Crego, A., & Jiminez, L (2019).  Effects of the   Mindful Self-Compassion programme on clinical and Health psychology trainees’ well-  being:  a pilot study.  Clinical Psychologist, doi:  10.1111/cp.12204.
 
Zessin, U., Dickhauser, O., & Garbade, S. (2015). The relationship between self-  compassion and well-being:  A meta-analysis.  Applied Psychology: Health and Well-  Being, 7(3), 340-364.
 

 

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  • Home
  • Our Staff
    • Christorpher J. Fichera, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist
    • Sharon M. Theroux, Ph.D., ABPP, Licensed Psychologist
    • Kristen Prater, Office Manager
  • Services
    • Individual Teletherapy
    • Mindful Meditation offerings >
      • Free Mindful Meditation Drop-ins
      • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Live Online
    • Infertility Therapy
    • Marriage Therapy
  • Specialties
    • Mindfulness Training
    • Mindful Self-Compassion Training
    • Nonviolent Communication
    • Depression
    • Emotional eating
    • Chronic Pain
    • Addictions
  • Clinicians Corner
    • Free Meditation Drop-ins for Healthcare Professionals
    • MBSR Research
    • Mindful Self-Compassion Research
  • Resources
    • Meditations
    • Blog
    • FAQs
  • Contact Us