Courses

Program activities include meditation, short talks, experiential exercises, group discussion, and home practices. MSC is a workshop rather than a retreat. The goal is for participants to directly experience self-compassion and learn practices that evoke self-compassion in daily life.

MSC is primarily a compassion training program rather than mindfulness training, although mindfulness is the foundation of self-compassion. MSC is also not psychotherapy insofar as the emphasis of MSC is on building emotional resources rather than addressing old wounds. Beneficial change occurs naturally as we develop the capacity to be with ourselves in a kinder, more compassionate way. Compassion is a positive, energizing emotion. However, it is said that “love reveals everything unlike itself.” While learning self-compassion, some difficult emotions may arise. MSC teachers are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for this process to unfold, and to making the journey enjoyable for everyone.

MSC includes 8 weekly sessions of 2 3/4 hours each, in addition to a 3-hour online retreat. Prior to registering, participants should plan to attend every session and practice mindfulness and self-compassion at least 30 minutes per day throughout the program.

Everyone is welcome, including people of all backgrounds and identities. No previous experience with mindfulness or meditation is required to attend MSC. MSC is resource-building rather than being therapy (although many people find it therapeutic!). Participants will be asked to provide some personal information when they register for this course to help teachers determine their safety and readiness for this kind of emotional work.

We all get emotionally dysregulated at times! Since MSC is offered in a group and is resource-building and not therapy, it best serves those who feel reasonably comfortable in their capacity to regulate their emotions. If you're unsure if MSC would be a good fit for you, please contact Jillian at contact@jillianms.com

Although there are no courses scheduled at the moment, feel free to scroll down and register your interest—I'll keep you informed about upcoming offerings.

Our ability to offer a course necessitates a minimum of 6 participants joining a course prior to February 14, 2024.  

Poonpha Moosirilert

A lawyer-turned-mindfulness facilitator, Poonpha has always been curious about how we can bring our full selves to work so we can bring our full hearts and full potential to what we do. Her personal search led her back to mindfulness, a tool that she used and loved since her corporate lawyer days. From her experience, Poonpha learnt that mindfulness helps cultivate awareness, a foundation of clarity, empathy, and compassion – things that help us be well and feel well at work and in life. A Search Inside Yourself certified teacher and Mindful Self Compassion teacher-in-training, Poonpha shares mindfulness with others in a light-hearted and practical manner.

Jillian Mickleborough-Sugiyama

As a recovering perfectionist, Jillian understands how the tyranny of an inner critic combined with misgivings around self-compassion bars us from engaging wholeheartedly in a self-compassion practice. In MSC Jillian discovered a delightful set of practices to deepen her self-connection, include herself in the circle of caring, and encourage self-motivation with kindness rather than criticism. Mindfulness brings perspective and clarity to her experience, and self-compassion provides a warmth and fierce friendliness to herself. Embodying that warmth and the messiness of being human, Jillian, a Certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapist, Approved IFS Clinical Consultant, and Mindful Self Compassion Teacher-in-Training, loves sharing the benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion with others.

The following book is recommended as a companion to the MSC course:

The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook, by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer (2018)

And for those who wish to integrate MSC into their professional activities, the following book is also recommended. However, please plan to take MSC primarily for your own personal insight and development.

Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program, by Christopher Germer and Kristin Neff (2019)

This program fulfills one of the prerequisites for becoming an MSC teacher. For more information on MSC or MSC Teacher Training, please visit www.centerformsc.org

This program fulfills one of the prerequisites for becoming an MSC teacher. For more information on MSC or MSC Teacher Training, please visit www.centerformsc.org

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Cancellation Policy

Course registration fees (less administrative costs) will be refunded or transferred to future MSC dates offered by Poonpha and Jillian if cancellation occurs before July 3, 2023.

A 50% refund or the option to transfer to a future MSC course provided by Poonpha and Jillian will be offered if cancelling before July 10, 2023.

No refund can be offered if cancelling July 10, 2023 or later (except on compassionate grounds for extenuating circumstances)

For any cancellation request, please contact Jillian at contact@jillianms.com

If you don't see your question, please contact Jillian at contact@jillianms.com