Compassion in Therapy Training Series
Introduction
- Host: Kaleigh Isaacs, Founder of the Awake Network
- Guest: Kelly McGonigal, Health Psychologist, Author
- Known for "The Willpower Instinct", "The Upside of Stress", "The Joy of Movement"
- Involved with Stanford Compassion Cultivation Training
- Forthcoming book on the topic of joy
Definition of Compassion
- Emotion science perspective: Compassion as an emotion
- Coordinates brain, body, thoughts, feelings, and actions
- Motivation to relieve pain or suffering
- Involves an empathic distress and motivation to respond with care
- Rewards: Sense of connection, warm glow
Impacts of Compassion
- Core benefit: Relieving suffering
- Strengthens interdependence, contribution, belonging
- System of compassion: Receiving, giving, and witnessing
- Importance of creating supportive systems and relationships
Barriers to Compassion
- Suffering blindness: Inattention to others' distress
- Empathic distress: Emotional reaction leading to avoidance
- Low compassion efficacy: Feeling ineffective
- Compassion pseudo-inefficacy: Underestimating impact
- Importance of energy, support, courage
Bolstering Compassion in Therapy
- Value presence as an act of compassion
- Physiological and neurological synchrony with others
- Importance of being present and attuned
- Overcoming challenges to receiving compassion
Empathic Distress and Protection
- Primitive empathy can lead to distress
- Need for mindfulness, grounding, and wisdom practices
- Balancing sensitivity by cultivating positive empathy
- Temporal boundaries as a form of self-care
Cultivating Compassion
- Affirm compassion as a value
- Stanford Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT)
- Readiness to respond and creating supportive environments
- Formal practices vs. everyday awareness
Difficulties in Receiving Compassion
- Attachment insecurity as a barrier
- Practice witnessing others' exchanges of compassion
- Personal anecdote: Kelly's realization on receiving help
Compassion Process
- Awareness of suffering and empathic response
- Decision-making and engagement in compassionate actions
- Importance of witnessing and community impact
Guided Practice: Heart Breathing
- Slow, deep breathing to connect with heart sensations
- Encourages readiness for compassion and joy
- Practice involves awareness of breathing, heart sensations
Closing Thoughts on Joy
- Joy as partner of compassion
- Encouraging positive empathy and celebration
- Amplifying joy in others as affirmation of their value
- Final encouragement to recognize joy as a valuable gift
Conclusion
- Thanks to Kelly McGonigal for insights on compassion and joy
These notes cover the main topics from the lecture on compassion and how it can be cultivated and utilized effectively, especially in therapy and personal connections. The practices discussed aim to enhance the readiness and capacity for compassion and joy.