We specialize in customizing and delivering empirically-supported self-compassion training for teams. We work with organizations who want to invest in the health and well-being of their employees.
Why bring self-compassion to your team?
Many leaders are sharing that their teams are tired and worn out, and could use practical strategies to take better care of themselves and to engage in their work in more sustainable ways.
We offer empirically-supported skills to help manage stress and burnout as well as provide an environment where teams can connect, restore, and replenish together.
Application to Teams
Self-Compassion is a trainable skill that can be strengthened with practice and have a substantial impact on your workplace culture. We recognize that work can be very demanding and rather than adding to our to-do list, the practice of self-compassion includes tools and perspectives that can be utilized anytime, anywhere, including at work.
We are Certified Teachers of Mindful Self-Compassion, an evidence-based program with a wide array of tools to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. We will work closely with you to develop a customized experience to support the well-being of your team.
Self-compassion training can help your team to:
- Manage burnout and fatigue
- Ground and ease stress on the spot
- Show up to difficult work in a more mindful, sustainable way
- Soften self-criticism and explore healthier ways of self-motivation
- Process difficult emotions
- Take skillful time and space to reflect and restore energy
- Learn to support each other in a way that enhances workplace culture
We are here to help teams feel more empowered in their day-to-day demands, to foster a greater sense of authentic connection, and to build a more genuine culture of compassion.
* No prior mindfulness or self-compassion experience is needed.
Customizing your workshop
We will work with you to custom design an experience that meets your needs. You are welcome to use our modules or work with us to co-create / adapt new modules.
Workshop length: Can range from 3 hours to 2 days
Format: In-person or virtual
Workshop activities typically include:
- A brief overview of relevant theory and research
- Empirically-supported exercises
- Self-reflection
- Small and full-group discussions
- Team-building to surface insights, themes, and ways of supporting each other
- Mindful movement and poetry (optional)
Sample workshop agendas
Example 3-Hour Workshop with one module
Title: Meeting Stress with Compassion
- Learn the three components of self-compassion
- Explore research on compassion, physiology and how compassion can be helpful in the midst of stress
- Experience self-compassion practices for moments of stress
- Learn how to relieve empathy fatigue and burnout
- Surface insights, themes, and ways of supporting each other as a team
Example 2 Day Workshop with the following 6 modules
Title: Self-Compassion and Sustainable Work
Meeting Stress with Compassion (Module 1)
- Learn the three components of self-compassion
- Explore research on compassion, physiology and how compassion can be helpful in the midst of stress
- Experience self-compassion practices for moments of stress
- Upgrade your tool-kit for self-compassion in daily life
- Source insights, themes, and ways of supporting each other
Managing Burnout and Fatigue (Module 2)
- Recognize signs of burnout, and how self-compassion can help to alleviate it
- Explore research on empathy and compassion, and how compassion can help to sustain energy / prevent burnout
- Engage in a practice to do difficult work in a more sustainable way
- Self-reflection and group discussion
Self-Criticism and Perfectionism (Module 3)
- Discuss the function of self-criticism and its impact on us and others
- Better understand your inner critic and its motivations
- Consider how to make changes – with accountability and responsibility – but with a kinder approach
Team Building and Compassionate Listening (Module 4)
- Discussion on how we listen (or don’t) to others, what gets in the way, and challenges to being fully present with others in the midst of our work
- Explore strategies for embodied listening with a focus on staying in connection with self and others.
- Engage in a small-group listening exercise focused on building authentic connection and common humanity
Working with Difficult Emotions (Module 5)
- Discussion on the difficult emotions that tend to arise in life and at work including cultural and workplace norms around handling these feelings.
- Learn about the stages of acceptance for difficult emotions.
- Explore mindfulness, embodiment and compassion practices to work with difficult emotions more comfortably and effectively
Grounding and Easing Stress on the Spot (Module 6)
- Understand the theory of how mindfulness helps to bring more calm and balance in the midst of reactivity.
- Explore various options for grounding, stabilizing attention, and soothing that can be practiced on the spot, when you need them most.
- Expand upon and deepen strategies that are accessible and effective for each individual.
Who are we?
Heather Shaughnessy-Cato
Heather Shaughnessy-Cato is a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher, mindfulness and yoga teacher, and integrative health coach with a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Heather offers 1:1 coaching, community classes, and custom workshops for organizations. She has worked with professional development organizations, colleges and universities, corporations, and non-profits. In her offerings, she helps participants build and deepen practices in mindfulness and self-compassion, explore and customize skills to manage stress, and set and meet goals for greater well-being and flourishing.
Emily Whyte Rubin
Emily Rubin is a graduate of The University of Michigan with a background in mind-body health and a particular passion for emotional education. She is a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher, a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator in the work of Brené Brown and an AmSAT Alexander Technique Teacher with further trauma resolution training in Somatic Experiencing® and Internal Family Systems. She has been in private practice and facilitating groups for the past 15 years.
Emily aims to create a safe and inclusive environment and to empower people to optimize the application of self-compassion into their lives. She has taught workshops at Virginia Tech, The University of Michigan, NYU Tish, NYU Gallatin, Hilton Worldwide, Shift Wellness, and The Juilliard School.
How do I learn more?
Please fill out the form below if you would like to schedule a time to discuss the possibility of us working with your team.