Self-care for Carers – a Compassion in Parenting Program

Event Details

Course Description

Compassion in Parenting is an 11-week course that combines empirically based practices from Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), along with research that supports caregiver and family wellbeing. 

This is the fourth “Self Care for Carers” session that ACT has facilitated with Dr. Georgina Robinson. The prior sessions were held in collaboration with researchers at the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Lab at Simon Fraser University. Their study demonstrated significant improvements in participants’ mindfulness, self-compassion, mental health, family quality of life, parental connections with children and skills to cope with stress.  

The group is provided to parents who have children ranging from infancy to young adulthood (0-30), and is limited to 25 participants.

The program begins with the orientation session on September 21, 2022 for one hour, followed by 10 weekly group sessions of 1. 5 hours beginning September 28. This is a skill development program that requires active engagement and participation. In order to fully benefit, participants will be expected to be free of childcare or work obligations during the 90-minute sessions and be committed to engaging in home practice during the week for at least 15-20 minutes a day.

For those who devote their lives to caring for others, this is an opportunity for you to dedicate some time to important self care, learning how to treat yourself with kindness, and soothe any ragged emotions during difficult times. You will learn self-compassion practices that can help combat compassion fatigue when coping with the demands of caregiving. The stress reduction component will help you learn how to identify reactive patterns and respond to your own needs and the needs of those you care for more effectively. Caregivers will learn tools to help them manage stress, model compassion and kindness, and listen deeply to better support the needs of their children and family.

Attend this program where you will learn how to:

• Activate your soothing system and regulate feelings of threat, worry and self-criticism.
• Recognize your stress patterns and respond more skillfully to situations involving yourself and those you care for.
• Attend to the needs of those you care for with kindness, patience, and wisdom.
• Increase the emotional strength, well being and problem-solving abilities of those you care for.
• Create healthier and more productive relationships between family members.
• Learn how to self-regulate and model adaptive responses to stress which may translate to better co-regulation with your child during difficult times.

To learn more about this program, please send your questions to info@actcommunity.ca, or visit the Mindful Self Compassion for Life website.

Comments from Past Participants:

• “This program has been an amazing way to connect with my kiddos. It's all around been an opportunity that allows me to feel something for me again, so I can reflect calmness and be present for my children again. I am very grateful”.
• “This course has really helped me to stop feeling guilty. I learned how important it is to look after ourselves so we can be strong and present for our children.”
• “I often compare myself and my children with others and I feel like a failure. Not in this class. I’ve learned to be aware of our own, and our kids own, unique beauty and worth.”
• “This program has been life-changing. My husband says he has been noticing how much different I am in how I can cope with daily stressors.”

Apply to Participate

This program has a $500 registration fee. Due to the small group size, you must apply for the opportunity to participate. Please apply using the application form by Wednesday, August 3, 2022. Successful applicants will be notified by Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

ACT has a limited number of $100 bursaries available for this program. Please indicate on your application if you require this assistance to attend. Your request will have no bearing on the consideration of your application.

ACT's Bursary Fund is made possible by the support of our individual donors. If you would like to support ACT's bursary fund, please consider making a donation.

Course Facilitators

Georgina Robinson PhD

Dr. Robinson is a certified School Psychologist, trained teacher of Mindful Self Compassion and Making Friends with Yourself, with additional training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy. Georgina is grateful to have received training from international leaders in Mindfulness Based Interventions including Susan Woods, Mark Williams, Rebecca Crane, Christopher Germer, Kristen Neff and Lorraine Hobbs.

Georgina brings over 25 years of experience working with children, families, and schools with particular focus on supporting those with ASD and complex needs. She considers her greatest learning being her experience raising her own children including a son with ASD. Learn more about Georgina.