Leadership Update

Dear CMSC Community,

Change is a natural part of life and of organizations. In that spirit, we want to share a leadership transition at CMSC.

After three years of dedicated service, Elijah Zimmerman has stepped down as CMSC Executive Director to begin a new chapter. Elijah held CMSC with dedication and heart, supporting the growth of our programs and our global network. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and the care he brought to CMSC during his tenure and wish him well.

Michael René Reved, who has been serving as CMSC Board Chair, has stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director. Michael brings a strong commitment to the mission of mindful self-compassion and a deep respect for this community.

Below is a message from Michael. You can also learn more about him here.

A Message from Michael

Dear CMSC Community,

As I step into the role of Interim Executive Director, I find myself reflecting on the nature of transitions—how they invite us to pause, listen inwardly, and meet the unknown with steadiness and care.
​
Transitions, whether chosen or unexpected, tend to stir things up. They ask us to loosen our grip on what has been and open—sometimes reluctantly—to what is emerging. And like so many of you, I’ve learned that the most supportive way to navigate these thresholds is through the lens of Mindful Self‑Compassion.

MSC teaches us that change is not something we must brace against, but something we can meet with curiosity, kindness, and a deep sense of shared humanity. When life shifts—roles evolve, relationships transform, identities stretch—our practice becomes a companion. It reminds us that we don’t have to move through these moments alone or perfectly. We simply have to meet them with presence.

What gives me great confidence and comfort is this community. CMSC is more than an organization—it is a living network of people committed to compassion in action.

It’s an honor to serve in this role, and I look forward to walking this path together.

With warmth and gratitude,
​Michael​
​
Michael René Reved
Interim Executive Director

The Board of Directors will be initiating a formal Executive Director search following its April meeting, and we’ll share updates with the community as they become available.

As a community grounded in self-compassion, we trust that meeting moments of change with presence and common humanity supports our collective well-being.

​
​

Vielen Dank • Muchas Gracias • Tack så mycket • Veel dank • Merci beaucoup
非常感谢你 • ありがとうございました • Thank you very much
To translate newsletter, please copy and paste newsletter text here.

Research: The Interplay Between Self‑Compassion, Mindfulness, and Emotional Distress

A recent study published in Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy explores how self‑compassion, mindfulness, and worry interact to shape symptoms of depression and anxiety in both clinically depressed and healthy individuals. The researchers found that self‑compassion and mindfulness each play meaningful—and reciprocal—roles in reducing emotional distress, with worry emerging as a key mediator across groups. Notably, the mechanisms linking these traits were similar for depressed and non‑depressed participants, underscoring the potential value of cultivating both mindfulness and self‑compassion as protective skills. The authors highlight the need for future experimental and longitudinal research to clarify how these processes unfold over time.

Meditation: Soft-Landing for Connection

In this month’s featured meditation, Lisa Baylis, CMSC’s Director of Education and Certified MSC Teacher, offers a gentle 3-minute “soft landing” to help you arrive, reconnect, and meet moments of loneliness with kindness and shared humanity. As you listen, you’re invited to pause the momentum of your day, feel the support beneath you and around you, and remember that even in disconnection, you are not alone.
​
This theme of compassionate presence also carries into our upcoming online workshop, Leading Through Loneliness: Compassionate Leadership in an Age of Disconnection, which Lisa will be co-teaching with Trymaine Gaither on April 16 (details below).

​

April 8 - May 27, 2026 Wednesdays 9-11:30 am PT ​Fierce Self-Compassion 8-Week Course Learn More Here

Leading Through Loneliness Workshop with Lisa Baylis & Trymaine Gaither

On April 16th from 1:00–3:00 pm PT, CMSC will host a brand‑new online workshop: Leading Through Loneliness: Compassionate Leadership in an Age of Disconnection, facilitated by Lisa Baylis and Trymaine Gaither.

This interactive two‑hour session is designed for anyone who leads—formally or informally—and has ever felt the quiet weight of loneliness while caring for others. Loneliness doesn’t always look like being alone; it can show up as exhaustion, self‑doubt, disconnection, or the sense that you must hold everything together by yourself. This workshop reframes loneliness not as a personal failing, but as a shared human and systemic challenge—one that calls for compassion, presence, and collective care. Grounded in the research and practices of Mindful Self‑Compassion (MSC), the workshop weaves together:

• Reflective exercises to understand how loneliness shows up in leadership roles
• Guided mindfulness and self‑compassion practices to meet difficult emotions with steadiness
• Small‑group dialogue to reconnect with shared humanity
• Practical tools for cultivating belonging and resilience in your teams and communities

Registration:

• Workshop fee: $145
• Optional Continuing Education credits: $30 (must attend live)

5-Day Live Online Silent Retreat
​​Presence, Grief, and Forgiveness​

with Noriko Morita Harth and Carolina Bautista‑Velez

April 15 - April 20, 2026

Join us for a deeply held online silent retreat guided by Noriko Morita Harth and Carolina Bautista‑Velez, an invitation to slow down, turn inward, and rest in what is here with warmth, spaciousness, and great care.

This retreat offers a rare opportunity to engage in sustained silence from the comfort of your own home, while being gently accompanied by two experienced and MSC Teacher Trainers. Over six days, we will explore the interwoven themes of presence, grief, and forgiveness through the lens of Mindful Self-Compassion, creating a compassionate container for what is tender, unfinished, or ready to soften.

Each day will include guided mindfulness and self-compassion practices, loving-kindness and compassion meditations, mindful movement, walking meditation, and short teachings. Silence will be the primary support throughout the retreat, allowing for depth, continuity, and inner listening, with one carefully facilitated small-group meeting to support integration and shared humanity. As an online retreat, you are invited to care for your own rhythms; resting in your own bed, nourishing yourself well, and shaping a supportive home practice environment.

MSC Teachers may receive a $100 discount, please email professionaltraining@centerformsc.org to request code prior to purchase.
Missed coupon codes will not be refunded.

In‑Person MSC Core Skills Workshop in Montréal

May 16th – 17th, 2026 with Dr. Kristin Neff & Dr. Chris Germer
Saturday & Sunday, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm EDT

Join MSC co‑founders Dr. Kristin Neff and Dr. Chris Germer this May in Montréal for a rare, immersive in‑person MSC Core Skills Workshop—a special opportunity to learn directly from the pioneers who developed the Mindful Self‑Compassion program.

Over two transformative days, you’ll explore the essential practices of MSC through guided meditations, experiential exercises, short talks, and supportive group dialogue. This workshop distills the heart of the full 8‑week MSC course into a powerful 12‑hour experience designed to help you:

• Meet difficult emotions with greater ease
• Strengthen resilience and emotional well‑being
• Motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism
• Deepen your sense of common humanity
• Cultivate a warm, connected presence in daily life

Whether you’re new to self‑compassion or looking to refresh and deepen your practice, this workshop offers a meaningful way to reconnect with yourself and others in community.

Dates: May 16–17, 2026

Location: Montréal, Canada (Agora, Heart of Science Pavilion on the campus of the University of Québec at Montréal (UQAM))

Open to: The general public, mental health professionals, educators, caregivers, and anyone seeking greater emotional balance and self‑kindness.

This is a rare chance to learn from the originators of MSC in a live, intimate setting. Spaces are limited—reserve your spot today.

Live Online Mindful Self-Compassion (LOMSC)

Learn the full practices and theories of self-compassion in our 10-week, live online programs! These courses are taught by certified MSC teachers around the world and help you establish a consistent self-compassion practice founded in research and science. You'll learn how self-compassion can lessen anxiety, depression, and stress and improve your relationships, health, and resilience. Join a course today. Courses available monthly. Explore all upcoming LOMSC dates.

April 7 - June 9, 2026 ​Tuesdays 8-10 am PT ​ Register

April 19 - June 28, 2026​ ​Sundays 9-11 am PT ​ Register

​Live Online Teacher Training (LOTT-28)
​Tuesdays, April 7 - June 23, 2026 | 8:00–11:00 am PT

​Live Online Teacher Training (LOTT-29)​
​Wednesdays, July 1 - September 16, 2026 | 4:00–7:00 pm PT

Next SCIP Cohort Starting Soon!

​Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy (SCIP)
​Live Online Level 1 Training Applications Open​
​Mondays, April 20 - July 6, 2026 | 9:00 - 11:00 am PT
​

To make sure we make it into your inbox, we recommend the following quick steps (may be slightly different depending on email service):

On Gmail: Move us to your 'Primary' inbox.

• On a phone: Hit those 3 dots at the top right, click 'Move', and then 'Primary.'
• On desktop: Go back to your inbox and drag this email to the 'Primary' tab near the top left of your screen.

Using Apple Mail? Tap the three dots at the top of the message list, then choose 'Categorize Sender,' and select 'Primary.' You can also add us as VIP by clicking on our name in the header and selecting 'Add to VIP.'

The Center for Mindful Self-Compassion is an international nonprofit organization that serves over 250,000 people in our global community. We are dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving the collective well-being of the planet through scientifically researched self-compassion training and practice. Our vision is a world where each person matters and everyone belongs. Your donations allow us to share self-compassion training around the world and keep Circles of Practice free to those in need. Thank you in advance for any support you are inspired to donate.