Center for Mindful Self-Compassion

Dr. Karen Bluth is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, and a research fellow Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, where she conducts research on self-compassion and its influences on the emotional wellbeing of teens. Dr. Bluth isa certified instructor of Mindful Self-Compassion,co-creator of the curriculumMindful Self-Compassion for Teens, Embracing Your Life,the adaptation of Mindful Self-Compassion for young adults, and one of the creators ofSelf-Compassion for Educators,a self-compassion program offered through Mindful Schools. Dr. Bluth is author of the four books for teens on self-compassion including “The Self-Compassion Workbook for Teens: Mindfulness and Compassion Skills to Overcome Self-Criticism and Embrace Who You Are”. Her forthcoming book, “Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens in Schools: A 16-session Social and Emotional Learning Curriculum”(PESI Publishers) will be released in early 2024. In addition, she is the recipient of the inaugural Mind and Life Foundation award for Public Communication of Contemplative Research. As a mindfulness practitioner for over 40 years, a mindfulness teacher, and an educator with 18 years of classroom teaching experience, Dr. Bluth frequently gives talks, conducts workshops, and teaches classes in self-compassion and mindfulness in educational and community settings. In addition, she trains teachers in Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens internationally.

Dr. Karen Bluth is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, and a research fellow Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, where she conducts research on self-compassion and its influences on the emotional wellbeing of teens. Dr. Bluth isa certified instructor of Mindful Self-Compassion,co-creator of the curriculumMindful Self-Compassion for Teens, Embracing Your Life,the adaptation of Mindful Self-Compassion for young adults, and one of the creators ofSelf-Compassion for Educators,a self-compassion program offered through Mindful Schools. Dr. Bluth is author of the four books for teens on self-compassion including “The Self-Compassion Workbook for Teens: Mindfulness and Compassion Skills to Overcome Self-Criticism and Embrace Who You Are”. Her forthcoming book, “Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens in Schools: A 16-session Social and Emotional Learning Curriculum”(PESI Publishers) will be released in early 2024. In addition, she is the recipient of the inaugural Mind and Life Foundation award for Public Communication of Contemplative Research. As a mindfulness practitioner for over 40 years, a mindfulness teacher, and an educator with 18 years of classroom teaching experience, Dr. Bluth frequently gives talks, conducts workshops, and teaches classes in self-compassion and mindfulness in educational and community settings. In addition, she trains teachers in Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens internationally.

Marina Barnes has a strong interest in helping adults and teens build the foundation of emotional well-being through a strength based lens. In the past decade, she has been supporting the emotional well-being of teens through her work in high school classrooms. More recently, Marina served as the Wellness Center Coordinator in a Northern California high school. Here, she created a calming space to listen to her students’ struggles and then offered them self-care strategies which included mindfulness and self-compassion based practices. Marina also worked with student groups in community outreach and supporting student initiatives for improving the school’s climate and culture. Today, Marina is a Parent & Teen Coach – helping parents build the internal resources to be the parent they want to be and supporting teens in knowing they are perfect just as they are. She is a Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens Trained Teacher, Teacher Trainer, Mentor, and a Certified Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness Practitioner. Marina is currently pursuing certification through Gabor Mate’s Compassion Inquiry. This journey will support her clients in finding a pathway back to reconnecting with their true self.