We’ve opened a limited number of student-rate spots. We value supporting students and welcoming them to this day of learning. Registration closes May 1!

This workshop is an opportunity to immerse yourself in a day of learning, reflection, and practice with Dr. Sydney Spears, Ph.D., LCSW, and Dr. Tracy Ochester, Psy.D., nationally recognized leaders in mindfulness and compassion. Together, they will guide a collaborative and supportive space to explore contemplative practices that nurture resilience, connection, and empathy during challenging times.

Participants will be introduced to foundational elements of mindfulness and compassion while engaging in guided practices that deepen self-awareness, expand one’s capacity for presence, and support navigating difficult emotions with greater care. These practices invite compassion for both self and others, while fostering a sense of shared humanity.

Throughout the day, we will also explore ways to build supportive communities and strengthen our ability to connect, both personally and collectively, across adversity and difference.

All are warmly welcome. No prior mindfulness or meditation experience is necessary. A light breakfast and lunch are included, with lunch selections available during registration.

Registration Price

$195 sustaining rate / $220 pay-it-forward registration rate supports our community. $85 student registration spots are now available! CE credits are included as a registration option for an additional $25.00 (see below). Registration closes May 1.

If the registration price is a barrier, please contact us at info@aacfm.org to arrange a scholarship or reduced rate.

A portion of the proceeds from this event supports scholarships for mindfulness teacher training in underrepresented communities, helping more people access mindfulness and compassion training.

Event information

Location: Garrett’s in the Student Center Building at Washtenaw Community College (WCC), 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.

Parking: Free parking is available on the WCC campus. Lot 4 is closest to the Student Center Building. WCC is also accessible by AAATA buses.

Cancellation policy: Cancellation requests received 10 days or more prior to the workshop will receive a full refund (minus a $25.00 processing fee). Due to lunch and venue commitments, no refunds are available within 10 days of the workshop. Registrations may be transferred to another attendee at no cost up to 48 hours before the workshop.

Continuing Education (CE)

The Ann Arbor Center for Mindfulness is an approved sponsor of continuing education (CE) credits by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – Michigan Chapter. This event qualifies for 4.5 CE credits for social workers. Events approved and offered by NASW are also acceptable CE for psychologists (see LARA – Psychology General Rules). CE credits are included as a registration option for an additional $25.00. Please reach out (info@aacfm.org) with any questions about CEs.

Speaker information

Sydney Spears, Ph.D., LCSW is a certified Mindful-Self Compassion teacher and recent Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) for the Center of Mindful Self-Compassion. She has been very dedicated to advocating for social justice for underrepresented and oppressed communities since adolescence. This work expanded during her teaching at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare and Smith College. Practicing self-compassion and extending compassion toward human beings is very important to her equity work, psychotherapy service, educational offerings and personal mission. Sydney works as a licensed part-time clinical social worker in private practice in Missouri and Kansas. She specializes in working with survivors of many types of trauma, including traumatic grief, complicated grief, social injustice trauma, and those who have experienced relational trauma, relational violence, and relational narcissistic abuse. Consequently, she is deeply dedicated to supporting the efforts of authentic global compassion and power of humanity-based community-building.

Tracy Ochester, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist in private practice in the Kansas City Metro. She is also a Certified Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Teacher and Mentor, a Trained Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) and Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) and yoga teacher. She has completed Compassion Cultivation, Nonviolent Communication, Trauma Informed Yoga and Embodied Activism training, the Pachamama Game Changer Intensive for social and ecological justice, Joanna Macy’s The Work That Reconnects, and Socially Engaged Buddhism Certification through the Upaya Institute. She finds that it has been a particular joy to co-teach contemplative courses in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and death and dying. She believes that contemplative skills and practice are a pathway into personal and collective wellbeing.

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Students will get support for establishing a daily meditation practice that’s appropriate for them (or taking it to the next level, if they have one already); building mindfulness skills through everyday activities, and loosening the grip of habitual patterns that block the natural capacity for love.

Every class will include instruction, a guided practice exercise, student check-in, and Q/A.

Some prior experience with mindfulness is helpful, but not required. Ages 17 and up.

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Each student will get personalized support for developing a daily meditation practice that’s appropriate for them (or fine-tuning it, if they have one already); cultivating mindfulness skills through everyday activities; and deepening connection with family members. Every class will include instruction, a guided practice exercise, student check-in, and Q/A.

Some prior experience with mindfulness is helpful, but not required. Ages 17 and up.

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The course includes a workbook and audio recordings of guided practices and meditations. To learn more, please visit www.presencecareproject.com and  www.alzheimers.med.umich.edu/wellness-initiative/.

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SC-MSC was developed by MSC’s pioneering researchers and clinicians, Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer for those who were short on time and could not engage in the longer 2 ½ hour weekly class.

See also the full-length course in Mindful Self-Compassion.

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