Mindful self compassion 8 week series

Aug, 1, 2025 - Sept. 19, 2025

Fridays from 9:30am - 12:30pm

Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) 8-week course is an evidenced program that combines mindfulness and self-compassion practices to enhance emotional well-being, resilience, and reduce self-criticism. It teaches core principles and practices to respond to difficult moments with kindness, care, and understanding. The course aims to cultivate self-compassion through various techniques, including meditation, experiential exercises, and group discussions.

Research supporting the program can be found here: https://self-compassion.org/the-research/

OPTIONAL PSILOCYBIN JOURNEYS

This program will also include optional group or individual psilocybin experiences before and after the 8 week course (at additional cost). The psilocybin experiences are thought to catalyze and solidify the change created by the compassion through enhanced neuroplasticity. Psilocybin can also induce a great sense of connection, which pairs well with compassion.

instructors

Megan Prager

Megan is Co-Founder of Mindful Labs and Compassion Programs Director at UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. She is a Certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Instructor (MBSR), a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Instructor (MSC), a Certified Compassion Cultivation Instructor (CCT), and a Compassion for Couples Instructor (CFC). Megan is a Teacher Trainer and Mentor for various programs, as well as specializing in developing and delivering trainings for business, educational, healthcare, and academic settings. Megan’s passion and great joy are the same: to empower individuals and institutions with the understanding that there is nothing more important individually or collectively than compassionate awareness and action.

Megan's website: www.mindfullabs.com 

mike averill

Mike Averill is a psychotherapist based Portland, OR trained in EMDR, IFS, Pain Reprocessing Therapy, and is a teacher of the Mindful Self-Compassion program. Mike also is a licensed psilocybin facilitator and is the founder of PNW Integrative Center, a community space offering psilocybin therapy and mindfulness classes and programs. 

Mike lives with his wife, daughter, and dogs and can often be found trying to convince them to spend time outside with him in Oregon's beautiful nature. 

cost

MSC 8 Week Course: $595

Optional group 8 hour psilocybin journey: $450 each + psilocybin cost (7/26 & 9/20)

Optional individual 8 hour psilocybin journey: $900 + psilocybin cost

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details

  • Entirely in person series held at PNW Integrative Center in Portland, OR.

  • Series runs Fridays from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm beginning 8/1/2025, ending 9/19/2025

  • Minimum number of participants required - will be cancelled if minimum is not reached and deposits and payments refunded.

  • Registration link: https://us.app.homecoming.health/p/pnw-integrative-center/mindful-self-compassion-course--week-in-person

    There is Oregon Health Authority required preparation to participate in psilocybin experiences, including informed consent paperwork. If you are interested in these experiences, you will receive further details.

    Objectives:

    At the completion of this course, participants should be able to:

  • Describe the theory and research supporting mindful self-compassion

  • Motivate themselves with encouragement rather than self-criticism

  • Relate to difficult emotions with greater moment-to-moment acceptances

  • Respond to feelings of failure or inadequacy with self-kindness

  • Begin to transform difficult relationships, old and new, through self-validation

  • Practice the art of savoring and self-appreciation

  • Integrate core mindfulness and self-compassion exercises into daily life

    Audience:

    This program is designed for members of the general public, as well as for professionals who wish to integrate self-compassion into their work. Participating in an MSC program satisfies a prerequisite for becoming an MSC program teacher. Meditation experience is not necessary to participate in this 8-week course. All are welcome!

    Training:

    Program activities include meditation, short talks, experiential exercises, and group discussion. This is not a silent retreat. The goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for exploring how we typically respond when difficult emotions arise and to provide tools for becoming warm and supportive companions to ourselves. The emphasis of the program is on enhancing emotional resources and personal capacities.

    For more information on self-compassion and the founders of this program, please visit Dr. Kristin Neff’s website Self-Compassion.org, and Dr. Chris Germer's website ChrisGermer.com.

    Participant Guidelines:

    The MSC program is a journey—an adventure in self-discovery and self-kindness. Compassion has the paradoxical effect of both soothing and comforting as well as opening us to emotional distress that we may have been unconsciously holding inside, often for many years. Therefore, some difficult emotions are likely to surface during the program as we grow in our capacity to embrace and heal them. The teachers are committed to providing an environment of safety, support, privacy, individual responsibility, and a common commitment to developing compassion for oneself and others.

    The following reading is recommended (not required):
    The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive by Kristin Neff and Christopher GermerSelf-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin NeffThe Mindful Path to Self-Compassion by Chris Germer