Self-Compassion: What is it? Why Does it Matter?
Presented by Dr Christopher Germer
Event proceedings
6pm - Registration opens
6.15pm - Drinks and canapés served
7pm - Keynote address commences
8pm - Estimated end of event
This is a free public event.
About the talk
Self-compassion entails responding to our own suffering with the same kindness and understanding as we might respond to a friend in a similar situation. Rapidly expanding research demonstrates that self-compassion is a key factor in emotional health and wellbeing. As a result, numerous efforts are currently underway to teach self-compassion to the general public as well as specialized populations. However, the concept of self-compassion is quite subtle and the actual experience of self-compassion remains more elusive than it appears.
This keynote address will describe what we mean by self-compassion, identify common myths, and review the latest research. Obstacles to practicing self-compassion will be addressed along with ways to overcome them. Finally, important new developments in the field, such as the yin and yang of self-compassion and a re-evaluation of shame through the eyes of self-compassion, will be presented.
About the presenter
Dr. Christopher Germer is a clinical psychologist and lecturer on psychiatry (part-time) at Harvard Medical School. He is a co-developer (with Kristin Neff) of the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program which has been taught to over 50,000 people around the world. Dr. Germer is also the author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion, co-author of Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program and The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook, and co-editor of Mindfulness and Psychotherapy and Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy. He is a founding faculty member of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy as well as the Center for Mindfulness and Compassion, Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Germer teaches and leads workshops internationally on mindfulness and compassion, and has a private practice specializing in mindfulness and compassion-based psychotherapy.
About Compassion Symposium
This cross-disciplinary symposium is designed to bring together academics, clinicians, researchers, and students from different disciplines within The University of Queensland and from the community, to present on how compassion is or could be a part of their research, studies, or practice.
The compassion symposium consists of the free keynote address, and the full-day conference.
About the Event
The School of Psychology at The University of Queensland is delighted to announce the return of the UQ Compassion Symposium for 2024. The ninth iteration of this beloved event, the Symposium will bring together researchers, clinicians and students from a range of disciplines to showcase compassion-based research and practice.
Registration for the Keynote Address and the Compassion Conference is now open. See below for full details and to register.
Key dates
Keynote
Friday 27 September 2024 (commencing at 6pm, pre-drinks and nibbles from 5pm)
Location: Abel Smith Lecture Theatre, St Lucia Campus
Conference
Saturday 28 September 2024 (registration from 8:30am, 9:00am - 4:00pm)
Location: Oral Health Centre, Herston Campus
The 2024 full-day format will again include two concurrent streams to provide an array of session options to conference delegates. Presenters will be given a 30-minute time-slot, which includes time for questions and discussion.
Registration details will be released shortly. Please note this will be an ‘in person’ only event
Call for presenters
The UQ School of Psychology's Compassionate Mind Research Group is pleased to invite submissions for presentations for the 2024 UQ Compassion Symposium conference on Saturday September 28.
We are interested in research and practical applications of compassion across the lifespan (children, teens, adults, older adults) and in multiple contexts (therapy, workplace, school).
Topics of interest include (but are not limited to):
- Compassion
- Self-compassion
- Mindfulness
- Empathy
- Altruism
- Morality
- Positive psychology
- Forgiveness
- Emotions (e.g. shame, anger)
- Intervention research
- Assessment research
Application Requirements
Applications to present should include the following information:
Personal Information:
- Full name
- Organisation/affiliation
- Email address
- Contact number
- Brief professional bio (250 words max) to be included in the conference program
- Professional photo
Presentation/Poster Information
- Presentation or poster title
- Abstract/summary (250 words max)
- Focus (research, practice, philosophy, etc.)
- Format (lecture, workshop, demonstration)
Submission and review
Please submit your completed application via the link below. Submissions close Friday 19 July. All submissions will be notified via email of the status of their application. All accepted speakers will receive free admission to the Symposium.
