Make an Appointment: [email protected] | (619) 836-0046

[email protected] | (619) 836-0046
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    [email protected]
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    Enroll for MSC Now

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    What is MSC?

    An empirically-supported, 9-week training program designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. This program is based on the ground-breaking research of Kristin Neff and the clinical expertise of Christopher Germer. If you are interested in learning practical, concrete skills for meeting stressful moments in daily life, this MSC class could be right for you.

    Specific MSC components

    1. Mindful awareness
    2. Self-kindness
    3. Sense of common humanity

    After taking this class, you will be able to activate these core components to enhance resilience to stress.

    Teaching modalities

    You will learn 7 meditations, 20 informal practices, and 14 exercises to evoke mindfulness and self-compassion in your daily life. Together, these modalities provide concrete, practical skills for cultivating resilience.

    **No previous experience with mindfulness or meditation is required to attend MSC.

    Logistics for live online course:

    1. Meetings are over a period of 9 weeks for three-hour sessions via Zoom. There are eight 3-hour classes and one 3-hour live online retreat, for a total of nine meetings.

    2. Trained MSC Teachers, Jillean Johnson, M.A., and Denise Kruszewski, Ph.D., ABPP, will be co-teaching these sessions.

    3. Break-out rooms are utilized in classes to allow for smaller groups (2-3 participants) to discuss the specific skill-building exercises.

    What you can expect:

    1. Enrollment is usually between 8-16 participants.

    2. This is an educational class, not a therapy group; you are encouraged throughout the meetings to discuss the process of practicing the skills rather than share specific personal content.

    3. You will not be required to participate verbally in sessions. However, you will be invited to do so, as this deepens the learning for all participants involved.

    4. You are asked to attend all classes and the retreat. The class builds on each session and learning will be impeded by absences.

    5. Co-teachers will send follow-up emails after each session to review practices and skills that were taught each week.

    6. Co-teachers are available for questions and concerns between sessions via email or a phone call as needed.

    Enrollment process:

    1. To register for the class, please fill out the form below.

    2. Denise or Jill will send a follow-up email to set up a time to speak about enrollment and answer any questions you may have.

    3. You will be asked to complete a brief form with some descriptions about yourself and your background. If you have any concerns about doing so, you can speak with Denise or Jill.

    4. Full payment of $549 is required to secure your enrollment for the 9-week course

    By submitting this form via this web portal, you acknowledge and accept the risks of communicating your health information via this unencrypted email and electronic messaging and wish to continue despite those risks. By clicking "Yes, I want to submit this form" you agree to hold Brighter Vision harmless for unauthorized use, disclosure, or access of your protected health information sent via this electronic means.

    More information on MSC:

    Here is a link to a 12-minute video by a seasoned MSC teacher who speaks about Mindful Self-Compassion:

    For more information, you can look on the MSC website: www.centerformsc.org.

    About the co-teachers:

    Jillean Johnson, M.A.

    A native Oregonian, I currently live in Portland and have been a Hospice/Hospital Chaplain since 2000.   My deep gladness comes from walking with and supporting people in times of transition, and I believe strongly in inviting others to connect with their own inner wisdom.  I find this process of uncovering deep truths nothing short of miraculous.  Previous to Chaplaincy, I worked in health education and research, and taught Spanish and English as a Second Language to adults.  I have two children:  Eliana attends the University of Oregon and Rae will be a senior in high school.  My divorce a few years ago led me into deep despair and sent me searching for wisdom and guidance.  Mindful Self-Compassion is one of the tools that I found that is helping me become more accepting of myself, more resilient, and more able to hold myself with humor.  I love to knit, dance, read poetry, sing and make music with my children.

    Denise Kruszewski, Ph.D., ABPP

    Originally from NY, I earned my B.A. at Brown University and my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Arizona State University, with an emphasis in Health Psychology. I moved to the San Diego, CA area to complete my clinical internship and have been here ever since. I founded the Center for Stress Recovery and Resilience in 2017, specializing in helping individuals recover from anxiety, trauma, and stress. I also teach and consult with groups and organizations to build resilience. Professionally, I have had unique opportunities supporting our special operations forces during wartime and continue to specialize in helping the “doers” in our community to enhance their individual and collective well-being through mindfulness and compassion-centered work. Personally, parenting two young boys, one of them with developmental special needs, fuels my love of this work. Daily, I benefit from my personal compassion practice and am more able to pause and find joy and well-being in the midst of a full life. I am passionate about enhancing community well-being through heart-centered awareness practice.