Mindful Self-Compassion as a Support to Neuroregulation during BrainspottingJean Leonard, Ph.D. – July 23, 2021

Mindful Self-Compassion as a Support to Neuroregulation during BrainspottingJean Leonard, Ph.D.

Mindful Self-Compassion as a Support to Neuroregulation during BrainspottingJean Leonard, Ph.D.

• Definition (Neff, 2003)1. Mindfulness

Mindful Self-Compassion

• Definition (Neff, 2003)1. Mindfulness2. Common humanity

Mindful Self-Compassion

• Definition (Neff, 2003)1. Mindfulness2. Common humanity3. Kindness

Mindful Self-Compassion

• Experiential: 1. The Soothing Gesture Practice2. The Self-Compassion Break

Mindful Self-Compassion

• Frontloading – to help set the frame

Integrating Mindful Self-Compassion into Sessions:

• Frontloading – to help set the frame• Backloading – to help clients integrate

Integrating Mindful Self-Compassion into Sessions:

“Using the same words as the client reinforces attunement.”

-Mario Salvador

• Dual attunement frameoRelational attunement – “Loving Connected

Presence” (Michelle Becker, LCSW)oNeurobiological attunement

• Parts work

Theory & Practice: Brainspotting & MSC

• The soothing gesture supports clients in staying in the subcortex.

• And is in alignment with the uncertainty principle, helping us stay in the tail of the comet.

Theory & Practice: Brainspotting & MSC

“The kind, compassionate presence of the therapist without any agenda sows and supports a frame in which the patient can see himself with the same compassion and kindness and become friends with his own experience.”

-Mario Salvador

• The soothing gesture offers a form of self-resourcing that supports clients in choosing or staying on an activation brainspot/eye position.

Theory & Practice: Brainspotting & MSC

• Mindful self compassion and the soothing gesture is a way of managing limbic countertransference.

Theory & Practice: Brainspotting & MSC

• As part of the set-up for brainspotting• To be utilized during sessions• As a support between sessions to support integration

and to regulate in difficult moments.• Contraindications/Challenges

Teaching Mindful Self-Compassion to Clients

“Transformation is not just an abstract or idealistic promise; it is an actual physical possibility…We are neurologically transformed by whatever we practice.”

-Jack Kornfield, The Wise Heart

• MSC resources:ohttps://centerformsc.org/ohttps://self-compassion.org/o jeanleonardphd.com/bsp2021

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