Live Online Mindful Self-Compassion for LGBTQ+ October 2023 with Markus Bohlmann and Armel Law Wraight

October 12, 2023 - December 14, 2023

This course meets every Thursday from October 12, 2023 - December 14, 2023 (with a 3-hour online retreat from 10am - 1pm PT on November 23) with Markus Bohlmann and Armel Law Wraight.

Hours: 10am - 12pm PT Click here to view the Time Conversion Chart


About This LOMSC Adaptation

As individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, we have experienced rejection, exclusion, stigmatization, discrimination and bias. In these times, hate and phobia against LGBTQ+ folks have even been increasing in many places. This MSC program thus invites like-minded members of the LGBTQ+ community to come together and create a space of connection and belonging.

We are invited to practice self-compassion together, to be visible and feel welcomed as we are, with our varied experiences as members of the LGBTQ+ community. The program invites us to turn toward ourselves with kindness and care, to accept ourselves, to give and receive support from our community. We have permission to celebrate our differences and to feel connected. We learn through self-compassion how to come out of difficult situations in an empowered way, and we acquire practical tools that help us navigate this world and find our place in it.

LOMSC for LGBTQ+ builds a community, defines mindfulness and self-compassion in a practical way, cultivates a compassionate voice that offsets our internalized homophobia, leans into finding our own authenticity through consent, and allows us to be with difficult emotions such as shame and eliminate anger in order to alleviate minority stress (the stress that we as minorities have on top of all the other stress). LOMSC for LGBTQ+ also enlivens intimacy with ourselves and others, and invites us to stay connected to ourselves as we navigate our relationships with others in the world. 


Who Should Attend

This course was designed specifically for individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and Two Spirit. No previous mindfulness or meditation experience is required to attend this course since it is for beginners of Mindful Self-Compassion.

This course is not for those who are allies of the LGBTQ+ community. This course is a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals to learn MSC from LGBTQ+ identifying teachers.

If you're finding this course less than 3 weeks before the start date, join us for an introductory information session about Live Online Mindful Self-Compassion (LOMSC) introducing you to the concepts covered in the class, the online format, and Q & A. We're offering you $100 off the registration fee when you come to the Introductory Session.

You will receive an email with the discount code within 2 days after your Intro Session, so please do not register before you receive that code as we are unable to provide equivalent refunds. For more information on our Refunds, please visit our website. 

Additionally, you do not need to sign up for an LOMSC class with the same LOMSC Intro Session instructor. Please note that discounts cannot be stacked or combined.

If you're interested, you can sign up here!


Continuing Education for Participants in the US

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 23.0 CE credit. 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. 23.0 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 CE credit is accepted. Nurses: UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP16351, for 27.5 CE credit. 

Fees for CE credit: $75  *Must attend all classes live to receive credits.

If you would like to receive CEs for enrolling in this LOMSC class, please add at the checkout page.


Access to Materials and Session Recordings

After you complete each course or workshop, you'll have access to the content for 90 days if you want to review it at your convenience.

Please note that we will record each live session, and the recordings will be available within 48 hours in the respective lesson of the course.


Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships are available. You can apply for a scholarship using the Scholarship Application.  Places will be offered in  the order application forms are received. Places are confirmed once payment is received. (Please note that scholarships are based on personal financial need, separate from being financially over-extended or over-committed.)


Refunds

For any refund requests, questions regarding the course or the registration process, please fill out the refund form here.

Live Online Mindful Self-Compassion—LOMSC for LGBTQ+ 10-Week Course

  • $595.00

    $595.00October 12, Thursdays 10 am PT, LOMSC for LGBTQ+, Markus Bohlmann and Armel Law Wraight

    Register Now

Meet Your Teachers

Armel Wraight

Certified MSC Teacher

Armel Wraight (they/them pronouns) is the founder of Stillpoint Mindfulness and has been teaching mindfulness to individuals, groups, and business for 10 years. Their training to teach mindfulness is wide-ranging and includes:

MBSR and MBCT at Bangor Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice.

The Mindful Self-Compassion programme with Kristen Neff and Chris Germer

Dot b. with the Mindfulness in Schools Project

Finding Peace in a Frantic World with Chris Cullen at Oxford Centre for Mindfulness

A psychotherapist in practice for 25 years, Armel holds group space with safety, skill, humour and compassion. Armel also facilitates LGBTQIA2S+ international mindfulness spaces and is co-writing a curriculum for the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion specifically for a queer audience. Armel is especially interested in self-compassion and trauma-informed mindfulness teaching. Their personal practices of meditation, queer intimacy and nature connection bring deep support to their facilitation work.

Markus Bohlmann

Certified MSC Teacher

Markus Bohlmann is using the pronouns he/him or er/sein, and is also happy when being addressed with no pronouns. Markus (MA, MSc, PhD) is a certified MSC teacher and is also certified in MBCT as well as trained in other mindfulness programs. He has led queer meditation groups and facilitated the MSC course to a queer audience internationally. Markus is faculty at the Center for Mindfulness Studies and Mindfulness Everyday in Toronto, Canada, coordinator of CMSC’s worldwide translations of the MSC programs, member of CMSC’s DEIB committee (diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging), team leader of CMSC’s LGBTQIAP2S+ Affinity Group, Circles of Practice, amongst other things. Markus is co-creator of the LOMSC queer adaptation of the mindful self-compassion program. He loves to travel and enjoys nature. He teaches in English and in German.

LOMSC for LGBTQ+ Course Outline

  1. Welcome and Class information!

  2. Meditation Recordings

  3. Week 1: Building Our Community and Belonging

  4. Week 2: Discovering Mindfulness and Self-Compassion

  5. Week 3: Practicing Kindness

  6. Week 4: Discovering Our Compassionate Voice

Details

  • 10 Live sessions, one each week
  • 3-hour Online Retreat November 23rd

FAQ

  • Where can I find the scholarship or refund policy?

    Please refer to our public policies here: https://centerformsc.org/cmsc-policies/

  • Will I be taxed on my registration?

    ​​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].

  • What would be grounds for participant removal?

    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 continue to participate productively in the course, 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.

  • What are the parameters of participation?

    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.