You’re in the right place if you’re …
Craving a deeper, kinder, more flexible relationship with yourself and you’re into grounded, proven strategies, with a dash of soul to get there
Desiring balance between showing up for others and showing up for yourself
Searching for a sense of community with other women that intersects with self-growth, psychology, and mindfulness practice
Missing in-person connection - our vibe is comfy couches, soft lighting, hot cups of tea, ceremony
The Compassion Collective
Was born from years of working with women 1:1 who reported a similar way of relating to themselves and others. Women who would offer patience, understanding, and a willingness to give their friends, loved ones, and complete strangers, the benefit of the doubt, but would struggle to extend this to themselves.
Women who were working hard to be a good friend, partner, parent, and keep up with life’s demands, with a convincing inner critic yelling at them from within.
This would occur even if things were objectively going well on the outside, and as you can predict, would worsen and kick them while they were down.
Without a relationship with the Self that includes having one’s own back, women in particular, struggle to harness their power when they really need it.
We are a team of therapists and fellow beings who have been reclaiming our ability to balance authentic connection in relationships with self-leadership, using the practices of mindful self-compassion
We facilitate workshops for women who struggle with self-criticism, comparison, and co-dependent (if you’re not okay i’m not okay) patterns, teaching ways to improve their relationships with themselves, and in turn, with their community.
Experience the proven power of self compassion in our next group offering
The Yin & Yang of Self-Compassion
Private 10-Week Women’s Group
Explore the duality of Self-Compassion through writing, meditation, visualization, and restorative yoga
“Alleviate suffering through nurturance of ourselves”
Being present with our pain, caring for self through kindness and acceptance
Giving yourself permission to feel anger, sadness, disappointment without judgment
Giving yourself words of reassurance, support, and encouragement
Self-soothing when we feel hurt
Relating to yourself the way a tender, loving, nurturing caregiver would
Accepting and loving ourselves for who we are
“Alleviate suffering through acting on one’s behalf”
Protecting, providing for, and motivating ourselves
Standing up for ourselves, advocating for ourselves
Resigning from a job that over-works and under-pays you
Setting a boundary in a relationship in which you feel taken advantage of or mistreated in some way
Saying “No” to taking on more obligations and responsibilities when you don’t have the time or capacity to do so
Being a “mama bear” for yourself
Find inner balance through this experiential and supportive group focused on cultivating self-compassion in it’s tender (yin) and fierce (yang) forms.
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Our next group will being in the New Year 2025. Dates and times are TBD.
Please check back here for details or follow @workingwithinrva and @alexschrumlcsw on instagram for regular updates.
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We will be meeting in a gorgeous, cozy, private room (pictured above) within The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design
2501 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220
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Female identifying adults who:
Want to improve how they think and feel about themselves.
Desire self-leadership that feels expansive and freeing
Are ready to fill their emotional tool box with simple and deeply effective skillsets
Must be able to commit to a 10 week group series meeting on Tuesday evenings.
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Anyone who is needing more individualized attention than a group environment can provide. (needing the attunement and space that only 1:1 work can provide)
Those who are uncomfortable with the expansive landscape of identities in our Richmond VA community - we welcome the trans community, lgbtq community, folks of all religious backgrounds, races, and ethnicities into our spaces.
This group will not tolerate any discrimination, bigotry, or hate speech of any kind.
Please consider not joining if you feel you cannot feel safe in a group environment where you will be witnessed and witnessing others.
In the words of one of our teachers Madison Morrigan:
Do not join If you are unable to take responsibility for your personal experiences, consent, triggers and inner-safety. Your experiences are always valid here, and they are also yours; meaning we will not be able to predict what will make you feel safe, only you can do that. Emotional maturity is a skill and capacity we cherish around here.
Payment Options
10 Week Self-Compassion Group for women in Richmond, VA.
1 payment of $700 (total cost equates to $70 per session)
Dates: Tuesday evenings 6:00pm-7:30pm 9/17/24-11/19/24
Location: Branch Museum, 2501 Monument Avenue, Richmond VA
10 Week Self-Compassion Group for women in Richmond, VA.
3 payments of $233.33 (total cost equates to $70 per session)
Dates: Tuesday evenings 6:00pm-7:30pm 9/17/24-11/19/24
Location: Branch Museum, 2501 Monument Avenue, Richmond VA
Examples of past modules
You can expect similar topics and more in The Yin and Yang of Self-Compassion 10 week series
3 Pillars of self compassion
Mindfulness
We can’t respond with compassion to our own suffering until we turn toward it with mindfulness. Our self-observing capacity is the foundation of a self-compassion practice.
Self-Kindess
Caring for ourselves the way we care for others. Recognizing a pain point, or something we would like to improve, without judgement. Turning against harsh self-criticism.
Common Humanity
A sense of interconnectedness. A recognition that we all experience pain, we are all flawed, and we are in this together.
Meet the Team
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Co-FounderAlex is a licensed psychotherapist located in Richmond, VA. She provides individual, couples, and group therapy that focuses on relationship trauma recovery. Alex is passionate about helping people who struggle with self-worth to reclaim a sense of self. She incorporates mindful self-compassion into her sessions with clients as a practical exercise to improve their relationship with themselves. In her personal time, Alex fills her cup through restorative yoga practice, snuggling with her fur babies, and spending time in nature (preferrably bodies of water!)
For more info about Alex visit www.alexschrumlcsw.com
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Co-FounderCaitlin is a certified yoga teacher (200hr) Certified Pheonix Rising Yoga Therapist (600hr), and licensed psychotherapist in Richmond Virginia specializing in Experiential Dynamic Therapy (EDT). She focuses on adult individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and relational trauma in her private practice. As a lover of old things you can find her working on her 1925 home, or her 1917 wooden boat. She loves growing all the things in her garden and getting outdoors with her boyfriend and dog.
For more info about Caitlin visit www.workingwithintherapy.com
The benefits of a group format
Feel less alone in your struggles by seeing that others are experiencing similar feelings and difficulties as you.
Being witnessed in a group space with acceptance and compassion decreases shame and isolation.
Seeing others at various stages of healing can give us hope for our own growth and development.
Seeing “me” in “you” and seeing “you” in “me”; recognizing that our experiences of being human are universally shared
Self compassion myth vs fact
https://self-compassion.org/what-is-self-compassion/
Myth #1
Self-compassion will make me lazy and unmotivated.
Fact
Self-compassion is a better motivating force than self-criticism. A supportive and understanding attitude toward ourselves helps us grow and learn.
Myth #2
Self-compassion means I won’t take responsibility for myself and my actions.
Fact
When we provide an environment of safety within ourselves, we are better able to take responsibility for our actions and own our mistakes. Research shows that people who have high levels of self-compassion are more likely to take responsibility for their actions and repair the situation.
Fact
Self-pity involves asking ourselves the question “why me?” Self-compassion recognizes that suffering is a shared part of human experience. Research shows that self-compassion helps us feel more connected to others when we are suffering and increases our perspective-taking abilities.
Myth #3
Self-compassion is just self-pity.
Fact
The more compassion we have for ourselves the more compassion we have for others. Research shows that people with high levels of self-compassion also have higher levels of compassion for others.
Myth #4
Self-compassion is selfish.
Payment Options
10 Week Self-Compassion Group for women in Richmond, VA.
1 payment of $700 (total cost equates to $70 per session)
Dates: Tuesday evenings 6:00pm-7:30pm 9/17/24-11/19/24
Location: Branch Museum, 2501 Monument Avenue, Richmond VA
10 Week Self-Compassion Group for women in Richmond, VA.
3 payments of $233.33 (total cost equates to $70 per session)
Dates: Tuesday evenings 6:00pm-7:30pm 9/17/24-11/19/24
Location: Branch Museum, 2501 Monument Avenue, Richmond VA
What the research is telling us
People with high levels of self-compassion are more likely to:
Maintain healthy work-life balance
Draw healthy boundaries and say no
Be conscientous and take personal responsiblity
Demonstrate higher levels of emotional intelligence
Have a stable and unconditional sense of self-worth
People with high levels of self-compassion are less likely to:
Experience intense shame and self-loathing
Base their self-worth on other’s opinions of them
Develop anxiety or depression
Feel lonely and isolated
Feel hopeless about life
Abuse drugs/alcohol as a way to escape emotional pain
FAQs
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Parking is available in the parking lot attached to the Branch Museum of Architecture and Design. There is also street parking available.
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We recommend wearing comfy clothing and bringing a journal and pen.
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As a general policy we do not offer refunds. However, we understand that emergencies happen. If you experience an emergency situation that will prevent you from attending group please reach out to us.
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Payment plans are available by making three installments of $233.33. Payment 1 of 3 is due at time of registration. After that, we will be in touch to make further arrangements.
Payment Options
10 Week Self-Compassion Group for women in Richmond, VA.
1 payment of $700 (total cost equates to $70 per session)
Dates: Tuesday evenings 6:00pm-7:30pm 9/17/24-11/19/24
Location: Branch Museum, 2501 Monument Avenue, Richmond VA
10 Week Self-Compassion Group for women in Richmond, VA.
3 payments of $233.33 (total cost equates to $70 per session)
Dates: Tuesday evenings 6:00pm-7:30pm 9/17/24-11/19/24
Location: Branch Museum, 2501 Monument Avenue, Richmond VA