We can’t wait to share all the amazing things happening in March. But before we do that, let’s send off the last weekend of February with a big burst of wellness, recovery.. and a celebration of Black History Month!
A Live Online Workshop with Kristin Neff: Cultivating the Power of Self-Compassion
Workshop is live online and takes place over TWO days. Saturday workshop hours are 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. PST. Sunday workshop hours are 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. PST.
Sat, Feb 26, 2022, 11:00 AM –
Sun, Feb 27, 2022, 2:00 PM MST
Instructions on how to join will be emailed to registrants shortly before the workshop start date.
6 CE credits are available for an additional fee of $45. After you register for the workshop, your confirmation email from Eventbrite will contain a link to the site where you can purchase the CEs from our co-sponsor, Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA). CEs may be purchased at any time before the workshop, but only those who have purchased in advance will receive credits. Unfortunately, we are unable to issue CEs retroactively.
If you need to request accessibility accommodations, please email publicprograms@ciis.edu at least one week prior to the workshop start date. For more information, explore our Frequently Asked Questions.
Self-compassion involves treating ourselves kindly, as we would a good friend we cared about. Rather than continually judging and evaluating ourselves, self-compassion involves generating kindness toward ourselves as imperfect humans and learning to be present and in greater ease with the inevitable struggles of life. Self-compassion motivates us to make needed changes in our lives, not because we’re worthless or inadequate, but because we care about ourselves and want to lessen our suffering.
Join renowned self-compassion expert Kristin Neff for a transformative and healing workshop on understanding and cultivating the power of self-compassion. We all want to avoid pain, but letting it in—and responding compassionately to our own imperfections without harsh self-condemnation—are essential steps toward living happier, more fulfilling lives.
Kristin provides simple tools for responding in a kind, compassionate way whenever we are experiencing painful emotions. Through lecture, discussion, meditation, and experiential exercises, participants learn about self-compassion and gain practical skills to bring it into daily life. Discover how to stop being so hard on yourself, learn how to handle difficult emotions with greater ease and motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism.
This workshop is appropriate for healthcare professionals as well as the general public. Healthcare professionals will be able to incorporate the teachings in ways beneficial to clients or patients. Practices will also be introduced to help ease stress for caregivers.
Kristin Neff is currently an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, conducting the first empirical studies on self-compassion nearly twenty years ago. In addition to writing numerous academic articles and book chapters on the topic, she is author of the book Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself. In conjunction with her colleague Dr. Chris Germer, she has developed an empirically supported training program called Mindful Self-Compassion, which is taught by thousands of teachers worldwide. They co-authored the Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook and Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals. Her newest work focuses on how to balance self-acceptance with the courage to make needed change. In June 2021, she will publish Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive.
Learning Objectives: By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
1. List the three key components of self-compassion
2. Describe key research that supports the benefits of self-compassion
3. Demonstrate techniques to increase self-compassion in everyday life
4. Demonstrate how to motivate yourself with kindness rather than self-criticism
5. Use self-compassion in caregiver settings
Information on Continuing Education Credit for Health Professionals
6 CE credits are available for an additional fee of $45. After you register for the workshop, your confirmation email from Eventbrite will contain a link to the site where you can purchase the CEs from our co-sponsor, Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA). CEs may be purchased at any time before the workshop, but only those who have purchased in advance will receive credits. Unfortunately, we are unable to issue CEs retroactively.
- CE credits for psychologists are provided by the Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA) which is co-sponsoring this program. The Spiritual Competency Academy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Spiritual Competency Academy maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
- The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE credits for LCSW, LPCC, LEP, and LMFT license renewal for programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association.
- LCSW, LPCC, LEP, and LMFTs, and other mental health professionals from states other than California need to check with their state licensing board as to whether or not they accept programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association.
- SCA is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN Provider CEP16887) for licensed nurses in California. RNs must retain this document for 4 years after the course concludes. SCA is an approved CE provider for National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coaches (CEP Number 100196)
- For questions about completing the CE evaluation materials for this course, as well as receiving your Certificate of Attendance, contact CIIS Public Programs at publicprograms@ciis.edu. For questions about CE, visit www.spiritualcompetency.com or contact David Lukoff, PhD at CE@spiritualcompetency.com
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Conversations – Everybody At The Table

DE&I perspectives are intended to recognize and complement our history and leverage our inherent qualities, both personal and in business.
About this event
These conversations will help address the following question:
Has a fear of saying the wrong thing about diversity paralyzed you into inaction?
It will showcase how:
1. The diversity of markets, customers, ideas, and talent is driving the need for inclusion in all aspects of leadership.
2. Learning to speak up about diversity can feel uncomfortable, but it is crucial for leaders who want to build inclusive workplaces.
3. Teammates can continue to understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion is the norm and can build teams with the competency to communicate about culturally sensitive issues.
4. We invite diverse insights for greater workplace collaboration.
This is an opportunity to understand ourselves and the issues surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion, as we become more confident in guiding important workplace conversations to affect positive change for those around us.
Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/diversity-equity-inclusion-conversations-everybody-at-the-table-tickets-154027282749?aff=ebdssbeditorialcollection for more information
Online Class: From the Heart of Houston with Chef Chris Williams

During this live, online cooking class, Chef Chris Williams will introduce you to his refined Southern cuisine with international influences. You may be familiar with his fare from Lucille’s, his restaurant in Houston’s Museum District, which was opened as a tribute to his Great Grandmother, culinary pioneer Lucille B. Smith.
Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your repertoire by cooking along with this very talented, innovative chef. You’ll pick up tips and enjoy an incredible meal that you’ve made at home at the end of class.
ABOUT CHRIS WILLIAMS
Classically trained in French, Mediterranean, West Indian and East African cuisine, Chef Chris Williams has served as the lone culinary cultural ambassador for the USA for three years, advancing food diplomacy in destinations like Slovenia, Croatia, and Ukraine.
His most recent endeavor — his non-profit Lucille’s 1913 — mimics the ethos of his restaurant and its namesake, functioning as a conscious community collective that combats food insecurity and food waste while creating training and employment opportunities that empower communities to discover a self-sustainable livelihood through food. To date, Chef Chris and the Lucille’s 1913 team have provided nearly 400,000 meals to Houstonians in need since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chef Williams is a member of Restaurant Hospitality’s 2021 Rising Star class and was recently named to Bon Appetit’s inaugural “Heads of the Table” Awards List which honors the trailblazing, community-building, future-making leaders who are changing the restaurant industry.
Menu
- Smoky Citrus Salmon on the Half Shell
- Coconut Rice
- Collard Green Salad
Elemy Home Care Resource

Behavioral Support, Reimagined
Every child is different. At Elemy, we believe care should never be one-size-fits-all. We’ve rebuilt a model of care that is integrated, evidence-based, and personalized. We’re here at every step to help your family navigate the ups and downs and reach new milestones.
Visit www.elemy.com for more information!
Have a wonderful weekend!