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 GernerDr. 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

Register for the keynote

Note: This is a free event but registration is required

Conference

Saturday 28 September 2024 (registration from 8:30am, 9:00am - 4:00pm)
Location: Oral Health Centre, Herston Campus

Register for the conference

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.

Please note this will be an ‘in person’ only event

Ticket information

Early Bird Ticket (29 July-31 August): $99.00
Student Ticket: $99.00
Standard Ticket: $149.00

Please note registrations close on the 20th  of September.

Conference program

Download a copy of the conference program via the button below.

Download the conference program (PDF, 61.3 KB)

Call for presenters

The call for presenters has now ended.

Venue

Union Road, UQ Centre (Building #27A), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072
Room: 
UQ Centre Lecture Theatre (220)