SELF-COMPASSION AS SELF-THERAPY
8-week therapy group with a focus on well-being and self-compassion

"We have always understood that compassion is very important for our well-being. .... recent advances in scientific studies of compassion and kindness have greatly advanced our understanding of how compassionate qualities of the mind really do influence our brains, bodies, and social relationships, as well as affect our health and well-being. Compassion can be especially important when we are faced with major stresses and traumas. ... when we engage compassion it can influence our attention, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors - in other words how our minds operate as a whole."

Professor Paul Gilbert, PhD from the forward of Recovering from Trauma and PTSD

Experience the Healing that Comes from Developing a Compassionate Mind

Come with an issue(s) something in your mind or life that you would like to explore and/or change. Examples are feelings of shame, self-criticism, anger, trauma, depression, anxiety, difficulties in relationship with a friend or partner, problems at work. You are also welcome if your goal is to learn self-compassion to increase your sense of well-being. You will have the opportunity to share your process with the group and to listen to others and how they create change using the self-compassion work. You will also be guided to keep track of the impact the work has on specific issues you are working with.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Mindfulness as the foundation for learning the compassion practices
Personalized Loving Kindness Meditation
Developing Compassion Imagery for self-attunement and attachment repair
Tonglen Meditation for Self-Compassion
Equalizing Self and Other
How compassion influences your brain and why it works

We will begin with mindfulness as the foundation for learning the compassion practices, and then proceed with self-compassion as the pathway to healing and well-being. We will then explore compassion for others deepening the pathway to healing and well-being. Each person will be guided to practice the processes that are most appropriate and helpful given their lifestyle and inclination.

Each week we will learn new meditations and practice old ones. You will keep a record of your practice at home and the effect of these practices on the issues you are working with and on your life in general. There will be time for group sharing, processing, and Q&A. You will be supported through homework to create a daily practice which works for you, and that you can comfortably maintain after the course completion. Journaling will also be encouraged.

At the conclusion of the group sessions you will have the opportunity to attend a private therapy session to work with anything that came up for you in the sessions and/or your own process in the group.

WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS TRAINING

Anyone who:

feels a dissatisfaction in some area their life
has a desire to learn a new approach to healing
wants to learn how to use compassion practice for change and well-being
enjoys group support

This is a small (6 to 8 people) group training designed to support beginners and experienced meditators.

YOUR TEACHER

Alexandra has been studying and practicing meditation since 1983. She has studied Mindfulness, and Compassion based practice, neurobiology, Buddhist psychology and psychotherapy at the Institute for Traditional Medicine in conjunction with Nalanda Science Institute (New York), and holds certificates in Contemplative Psychotherapy Mindfulnees. She is currently awaiting acceptance by the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario.

If you have questions or want to discuss whether this training is appropriate for you, call Alexandra at 416-923-3893 and I will be happy to talk to you.

Registration: To register you need to contact Alexandra to make sure there is still room in the group and fill out the application The application can be done via email or verbally over the phone. To access the application form click here .

Date: Thursday January 26 through March 16, 2017
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Fee: $200.00 (includes 8-week group and optional complimentary 90 minute therapy session)
 Location: Yonge and St. Clair