In this episode I speak with my friend Dr. Pittman McGehee about why self compassion is essential to mental and relationship health. You’ll learn what self compassion is, how it relates to mindfulness, how it shapes the relationship between two individuals, and how you can start building a practice of self compassion into your life.
Pittman McGehee, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Austin, Texas. He received his doctorate from The University of Texas, Austin, focusing his research on the connection between psychological health and the concepts of mindfulness and self-compassion. During his doctoral studies, Dr. McGehee worked closely with Dr. Kristin Neff, one of the world’s leading experts on self-compssion. Dr. McGehee is a certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher and teacher-trainer, through the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine. He is currently adjunct faculty at Seton Cove Spirituality Center, Austin, Texas, and has held faculty appointments in both the Department of Psychology and The Department Educational Psychology at the University of Texas, Austin. In 2017 Dr. McGehee co-wrote a chapter on Mindful Self- Compassion (MSC), with Dr. Kristin Neff and Dr. Chris Germer, the creators of MSC, in the book, Practitioner’s Guide to Ethics and Mindfulness-Based Interventions.
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“We think that we’re connected in our perfection, but really we’re connected in our imperfection. One of the common things about being human is that we all suffer; it’s part of what it is to be human. So rather than feeling isolated in that, with self compassion we can feel connected in that.”– Pittman McGehee
Show Notes:
- What self compassion is and why it is essential to mental health
- How to build a practice of self compassion into your life
- How vulnerability creates opportunities for connection
- Why we need to be wary of the “subtle aggression of self-help”
- Why mindfulness is a prerequisite to self compassion
- How practicing self compassion will change your relationship
- Mindfulness and self compassion practice are not just for affluent white people
- The best way to begin your mindfulness and self compassion practice
“There’s no compassion without suffering. So if we hide our suffering, we also hide the opportunity for connection with others and we start to feel isolated.”– John Howard
Links Mentioned:
- 10% Happier by Dan Harris
- Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff
- The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer
- Center for Mindful Self-Compassion
- Compassion For Couples
- Seton Cove Spirituality Center
- Connect with Pittman McGehee, Ph.D.
“It’s not until we accept ourselves as we are that we can become who that striving self wanted to be.” – Pittman McGehee