Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Introspection

Introspection

Introspection, long upheld as a reliable route to self-knowledge, involves examining one's thoughts, emotions, and mental processes. It underpins many psychological practices, from mindfulness meditation to psychotherapy and self-help strategies. However, empirical evidence challenges the accuracy of introspection as a means of understanding oneself.Limitations of Introspective InsightSeminal work by Nisbett and Wilson demonstrated that individuals are frequently unaware of the true causes...

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapies emphasize the exploration of unconscious processes and early childhood experiences as fundamental contributors to psychological difficulties. These therapies, deeply rooted in Freud's psychoanalytic theory, aim to uncover and resolve unconscious conflicts, granting individuals insights that promote emotional and behavioral healing. Contemporary psychodynamic approaches have evolved, integrating a broader range of influences and methodologies while still valuing the...

Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused

Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused

Emotion-focused coping refers to a set of strategies aimed at managing the emotional impact of stressors, rather than directly addressing their causes. This approach involves altering one's emotional response to stressful situations to reduce their psychological effects. For example, individuals might talk with a friend or engage in activities like journaling to express their feelings. Such actions can help achieve emotional clarity or release, providing the psychological stability needed to...

Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic therapies emphasize personal growth, self-understanding, and the fulfillment of human potential. Rooted in the belief that individuals inherently strive toward self-actualization, these approaches encourage clients to explore their feelings and experiences in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment. Humanistic therapies differ from psychodynamic approaches by focusing on conscious experiences, present circumstances, and the potential for self-improvement rather than past conflicts...

Elements Crucial for Effective Psychotherapy

Elements Crucial for Effective Psychotherapy

Research has highlighted several critical factors that influence the effectiveness of psychotherapy, such as the therapeutic alliance, the therapist, and the client.
The Therapeutic Alliance
The therapeutic alliance refers to the relationship between the therapist and the client. The alliance strengthens when the therapist and the client engage in a nurturing, supportive, trusting, empathetic, and respectful relationship, improving therapeutic outcomes. Therapists must monitor this relationship...

Self-Serving Bias

Self-Serving Bias

Self-serving bias is a cognitive phenomenon in which individuals attribute positive outcomes to internal factors such as their abilities, intelligence, or effort while attributing negative outcomes to external circumstances. This cognitive distortion helps maintain self-esteem but can also impede objective self-assessment.Theoretical Explanations of Self-Serving BiasTwo primary theories explain the self-serving bias: the cognitive explanation and the motivational explanation.The cognitive...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Mindful self-compassion to reduce stigma among individuals diagnosed with lung cancer (MSC-LC): a pilot study protocol for a parallel-group, randomized controlled trial.

Pilot and feasibility studies·2026

Same author

Resilience and Enhancement in Sport, Exercise, & Training (RESET): A brief self-compassion intervention with NCAA student-athletes.

Psychology of sport and exercise·2023

Same author

Self-Compassion: Theory, Method, Research, and Intervention.

Annual review of psychology·2022

Same author

Caring for others without losing yourself: An adaptation of the Mindful Self-Compassion Program for Healthcare Communities.

Journal of clinical psychology·2020

Same author

Is Self-Compassion Universal? Support for the Measurement Invariance of the Self-Compassion Scale Across Populations.

Assessment·2020

Same author

Development and Validation of the Self-Compassion Scale for Youth.

Journal of personality assessment·2020

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care

Published on: February 16, 2011

Self-compassion in clinical practice.

Christopher K Germer¹, Kristin D Neff

¹Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Health Alliance, MA, USA. ckgermer@gmail.com

Journal of Clinical Psychology

|June 19, 2013

Summary

This study explores Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), an 8-week program fostering self-kindness and mindfulness. The research highlights MSC

Area of Science:

Psychology
Clinical Psychology
Mindfulness Studies

Background:

Self-compassion, comprising self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness, is linked to psychological well-being and reduced psychopathology.
Existing research supports the positive correlation between self-compassion and psychological flourishing.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce and describe the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program, an 8-week intervention.
To illustrate the application and client response to the MSC training through a detailed clinical case.

Main Methods:

The study details an 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) training program.
Weekly 2.5-hour sessions incorporate guided meditations (loving-kindness, affectionate breathing) and informal practices (soothing touch, letter writing).

Keywords:

compassion difficult emotions meditation mindfulness psychotherapy self-compassion

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 10, 2026

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care

Published on: February 16, 2011

A clinical case study documents a client's progression through the 8-week MSC program.

Main Results:

The clinical case illustrates the client's journey and responses throughout the 8 weeks of MSC training.
Key features of each session and the client's evolving experience are described.

Conclusions:

The Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program offers a structured approach to cultivating self-compassion.
The case study provides practical insights into the implementation and potential impact of MSC training.
MSC may serve as a valuable intervention for enhancing psychological well-being.