Cultivating a Multicultural Lens in Mindful Spaces

A workshop series led by Sydney Spears & Tracy Ochester

This innovative diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) workshop series will provide self-compassionate reflection and guidance for your mindfulness practice and exploration in developing a multicultural, anti-oppressive lens.

The workshop series meets live online every Tuesday (4pm - 6:30 pm PT) from October 31 - December 19, 2023.

Workshop Details

Participants will have the opportunity to discuss some of the foundational components of cultural sensitivity and cultural responsiveness that can enhance their teaching, workspace, better understanding of DEIB, and development of a social equity lens when interfacing with diverse and underserved communities. 

Series Learning Objectives:

  • Identify and assess personal awareness of sociocultural identities, socialization experiences, beliefs, biases and systemic positions within one’s region and society

  • Reflect upon and describe the various manifestations of sociocultural systemic and structural oppression within one’s region and society

  • Discuss the relationship between sociocultural oppression and chronic stress and trauma

  • Develop awareness, sensitivity and knowledge of some of the realities, challenges, and strengths of certain marginalized communities

  • Explore and analyze developing a multicultural, anti-oppressive lens with cultural humility, self-compassion and compassion for others when engaging in cross-cultural communication

  • Examine and discuss ways of skillfully responding to cross-cultural challenges, microaggressions, micro-trauma, and ruptures with self-compassion and compassion

  • Explain and assess the components of the process of social justice allyship development 

The material within this DEIB series can also be useful in developing and advancing more skillful responses when cross-cultural issues, challenges, microaggressions, and communication ruptures arise.

Across this DEIB series participants will be guided through reflective and experiential explorations of cultural self-awareness, understanding social-cultural realities of diverse groups, ways of supporting an anti-oppressive practice, and reflecting upon the developmental process of social justice allyship.

A diversity of voices will be represented through the invitation of guest presenters. Cultivating a multicultural, anti-oppression lens is very connected to practicing mindfulness, self-compassion and compassion for others. 

  • Chris Germer, PhD (he/him)

  • Deah Robinson (she/her)

  • Kristin Neff, PhD (she/her)

  • Michael Yellow Bird, MSW, IMTA CMT-P, MSW, PhD (he/him)

  • Mushim Patricia Ikeda (she/her)


Who Should Attend

This course is oriented to folks who teach all kinds of contemplative practices, including Mindful Self-Compassion, but all who desire to learn more about DEIB are welcome to attend.

If you would like to receive Continuing Education Credits for enrolling in this course, please see details in the FAQs & Important Information section below.


Access to Materials and Session Recordings

Each workshop session will be recorded live and posted in the CMSC online learning platform a few days after the live session.

You will have access to replay the recording for up to 90 days after the workshop series ends.


Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships are available. You can apply for a scholarship using the Scholarship Application.  Our full Scholarship Policy can be viewed here: https://centerformsc.org/cmsc-policies/

Instructor(s)

Sydney Spears

CMSC Director of DEIB and MSC Certified Teacher

Sydney Spears, Ph.D., LCSW is a certified Mindful-Self Compassion teacher and Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for the Center of Mindful Self-Compassion. She also works part-time at the University of Kansas-School of Social Welfare specializing in teaching diversity, anti-oppression, social justice and clinical social work courses. Sydney has deep passion for advancing social equity for racialized people and all other underserved populations experiencing systemic injustices. Additionally, Sydney is highly committed to providing and integrating anti-oppressive and trauma-sensitive practices within her psychotherapy practice as a licensed clinical social worker. Her counseling service specializes in working with survivors of chronic stress and trauma generated from family relationships and sociocultural trauma.

Tracy Ochester

MSC Trained Teacher and Coordinator/Co-founder of Midwest Alliance of Mindfulness

Tracy Ochester (she/her), PsyD, is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Kansas City, Certified Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Teacher and UCSD MBPTI approved Mentor, a Trained Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention Teacher, and a Registered Yoga Teacher. She also serves as the Heart-Mind Coordinator for the Midwest Alliance for Mindfulness, a nonsectarian organization supporting the practice of mindfulness in the heartland.

FAQs & Important Information

  • How do I purchase Continuing Education credits for this course?

    Psychologists: Continuing Education Credit for this program is provided by UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 22 hours of credit. (Please check with your local board to verify that APA approval is accepted.)

    California licensed MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, LCSWs: Continuing Education Credit for this program is provided by UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. 22 CE Credit may be applied to your license renewal through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. (For those licensed outside California, please check with your local licensing board to determine if APA CE Credit is accepted.)

    Nurses: UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP16351, for 22 CE credit. (Please contact your local board to see if California BRN CE hours are accepted.)

    Price for CE credit: $75 *Must attend every session live to receive credits*

  • If I'm unable to attend, can I request a refund?

    Our entire Refund Policy is located here: https://centerformsc.org/cmsc-policies/

    We encourage you to review the Refund Policy in its entirety. Below is important information that we would like you to be aware of before choosing to make a financial commitment with us.

    All refund requests must be made via the refund request form at the link above. Refunds must meet specific terms of eligibility to include the reason for requesting a refund. Our Refund Policy (at the link above) includes details on when we are able and are not able to issue a full refund. All refund request forms are reviewed by a small team of our staff. We ask for your patience and understanding when requesting a refund.

    If you have any questions after reviewing our Refund Policy, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

  • Is my registration fee taxed?

    ​​Information on sales tax collection that may affect your purchases of courses through CMSC:

    In accordance with Marketplace Facilitator/Provider laws, CMSC is now required to collect and remit sales tax on sales in some areas of the United States and Canada. This is required even as we are a registered non-profit.

    What does this mean for you? It means that when you purchase a course with CMSC in some states or provinces ( U.S. & Canada), the sales tax will be automatically calculated and collected at the time of checkout. This ensures compliance with tax regulations in your area. If you have any questions or concerns about this change, please don't hesitate to reach out to our customer support team: [email protected].

  • Important Info: Mindful Self-Compassion is not a substitute for Therapy

    Our programs are designed to teach participants the tools needed to develop and cultivate a mindfulness and self-compassion practice.

    It is not a substitute for mental health care, personal therapy or medical treatment.

    Personal safety and emotional wellbeing are the foundation of self-compassion training and you are primarily responsible for your own safety.

    Teachers and facilitators are not expected or able to provide medical and/or psychological care. Course experiences may bring up challenging memories or feelings.

    If you have a history with a serious mental health condition or other concerns you think may impact your ability to take this course, please contact CMSC or your healthcare professional to determine if this course is right for you. Your personal contact information may be used in the event the teacher or facilitator reasonably determines a need to call emergency services on your behalf.

  • Important Info: Productive Participation in Courses & Workshops

    Participation is at the discretion of the teachers and facilitators at all times.

    If, in the opinion of the teachers and facilitators, you are unable to participate productively and appropriately in the course or workshop you have registered for, you may be asked to discontinue. Decisions of removal are to ensure CMSC provides the safest space possible for our participants and teachers. Please see our refund policy regarding necessary participant removal.

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