Make Peace with your Mind: Freedom from the Inner Critic (MC3D26)

Please only register for one of the two formats: On-Land or Online.

Registration closes at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on August 30, 2026. A waiting list will be created if the program fills early. A recording* will be available following the program.

This program offers 5 CEs at $50. For more CE details, see below.

Description:
Are you impacted by the tormenting self-critical mind and feeling the negative effects of self-judgment? Join us for a day of exploring how to be more free from the challenge of the inner critic, where we will learn:

• How to recognize judging thoughts
• How to deal effectively with inner critic attacks
• How to distinguish between negative judgment, wise discernment, and discrimination
• The importance of self-acceptance, self-compassion, and love as antidotes to the critic
• The need for and role of humor in helping us with the critic
• How to cultivate forgiveness in response to judgment

Our time will include a combination of talks and interactive exercises, along with explorations of mindfulness and lovingkindness techniques and practices. Emphasizing the importance of not taking ourselves too seriously, this will be a practical and experiential retreat taught with lightness, compassion, and humor. This daylong is open to both new and experienced practitioners.

On-Land Sliding Scale: (MC3D26)**
Benefactor – $310
Sustainer – $235
Basic – $140
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna) – $70
**Volunteer/Work Exchange opportunities, which include full or partial Scholarships, may be available for the in-person program. For more information, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteering@spiritrock.org.

Online Sliding Scale: (MC3Z26)***
Benefactor – $175
Sustainer – $95
Basic – $75
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, Mudita/Karuna) – $45
***Online Program: All are welcome! No one will be turned away for lack of funds as space allows. For more information, please email Registration@spiritrock.org no later than 12:00pm (NOON) PT on the day prior to the program date.

Access to Recording

• Registration includes unlimited access to this program’s recording. You must register by the deadline above. The recording will be available in ~10 days after the program.

On-Land Attendees

• The on-land program will take place in the Community Meditation Center (CMC) in the Great Hall.
• Bring a lunch and a water bottle. Lunch is not provided.
• This is NOT a residential retreat. Overnight accommodations are not provided.

COVID Safety Protocols for non-residential programs: details here.

Cancellation Policy for On-Land: Daylongs, Multiday Programs (1-3 days), Family Programs, CE fees:

• NO REFUNDS.
• Open Credit or Donation to Spirit Rock = cancel 2 or more business days prior to program (Pacific Time)
• No Open Credit = cancel less than 2 business days prior

This program is applicable for licensed and license-eligible mental health and health care professionals, including psychologists, social workers (LCSW, LSW), counselors (LPC, LCPC, LMHC), marriage and family therapists, nurses (RN, NP), chiropractors, and other health care professionals, seeking education in mindfulness-based approaches to working with self-criticism and self-compassion. Please review our Continuing Education information page for provider details, and to determine if your association or board will accept credits offered by Spirit Rock.

Self-critical thinking is one of the most pervasive challenges in human experience, and healthcare and mental health providers encounter it regularly — in their clients and in themselves. Research links harsh self-criticism to depression, anxiety, and impaired emotional regulation, and identifies self-compassion as a meaningful protective factor for both psychological well-being and professional sustainability. Licensed professionals who develop a working understanding of mindfulness-based approaches to self-critical cognition bring greater clarity, equanimity, and relational depth to their clinical work. This program supports professional development by offering a grounded, experiential introduction to the nature of the inner critic, the role of discernment versus judgment, and the cultivation of self-compassion — knowledge that informs how providers show up with the people they serve.

Learning Objectives for participating health care professionals-
At the end of the program, participants will be better able to:

• Describe how mindfulness-based awareness supports recognition of self-critical thought patterns and their effects on psychological well-being.
• Differentiate self-critical judgment from adaptive discernment as distinct cognitive orientations and explain their differential effects on well-being.
• Apply self-compassion and self-acceptance practices to reduce the impact of self-critical thinking on professional functioning and well-being.
• Utilize forgiveness and lovingkindness-based practices as evidence-informed approaches to cultivating self-compassion and reducing self-critical reactivity.

Attendance policy for CE participants:

• Full, live attendance is required. Incomplete attendance nullifies CE eligibility, as board regulations do not permit partial credit for partial attendance.
• Sign in and out at the CE table, on time.
• Submit your professional information within one week of receiving the link. This link will be emailed within 2 business days after the program to all participants who met the attendance requirements.
• Certificates are issued only to those who meet the attendance requirements—without exception—to maintain compliance with our provider licenses and ensure the continuation of future CE programs.

Please note:

• Visit our Continuing Education information page for complete provider details and additional CE information, including attendance requirements and our cancellation and grievance policies.
• Continuing Education is sponsored by Mindful CECs.
• Mindful CECs is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Mindful CECs maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
• Mindful CECs is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17985 for 5 contact hours.
• Participants are responsible for determining whether this program meets the CE requirements of their licensing board or certifying organization. Spirit Rock does not confirm CE applicability for license types beyond the scope of Mindful CECs’ provider approvals.
• Credit is awarded for instructional time only and does not include extended silent meditation, if offered.
• Conflict of Interest Statement: This instructor may have authored publications relevant to the subjects covered in this course, and may teach additional programs. The instructor might reference these publications and programs during the course, and may receive financial compensation if participants choose to purchase them.