Meditation and Psychotherapy: The Science of Values and the Evolution of Virtue
- Continuing Education
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Explores how cultivating prosocial values and virtues can help clinicians and clients alleviate emotional distress arising from complex social and global challenges. Examines research-informed, values-based practices and tools—including meditation—that support patient care and clinician resilience.
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Overview
The world is currently facing challenges that defy easy solutions, such as social injustice, armed conflict, climate change, wealth inequality, and technological disruption. These problems cause emotional distress and appear, directly or indirectly, in psychotherapy. What should clinicians know, and what can they do, to alleviate distress that arises from seemingly insurmountable problems? One evidence-based treatment approach, accessible to anyone, is to cultivate prosocial values and virtues, such as kindness, compassion, integrity and connection.
In this webinar series we'll explore the research and practices that support a values-based approach to living from a variety of perspectives—evolutionary, lifespan, neuroscientific, and sociocultural. Attendees will learn useful tools and strategies, including meditation, to help their patients manage emotional distress related to personal as well as larger, social problems. Therapists will also have a chance to explore the role of virtue and values in their own lives and begin to cultivate skills that support their own emotional resilience.
Learning Objectives
- Summarize the research supporting the mental health benefits of cultivating virtue and living a values-based life.
- Guide patients to explore and enhance their prosocial values.
- Describe the singular importance of close emotional bonds for physical and mental health.
- Identify the neuroscientific mechanisms that underlie mindfulness, compassion and prosocial behavior.
- Practice and teach simple compassion skills in everyday life.
- Engage therapeutically with patients to recognize internalized injustice and transform it into prosocial action.
- Practice living in alignment with one’s own core values to develop emotional resilience.
Developed and Offered By:
Continuing Education courses are developed by faculty from Harvard Medical School's teaching hospitals and accredited by Harvard Medical School. This course is offered by Cambridge Health Alliance.
Who Should Participate
Specialty Physicians, Primary Care Physicians, Social workers, Counselors, Family Therapists, Psychologists, Nurses, and Others
Schedule
All agenda sessions are in Eastern Time.
Friday, May 1, 2026
The Physiology of Care & Compassion
12:00-12:50 pm
Discussion / Q&A
12:50-1:30 pm
Friday, May 8, 2026
The Web of Virtue – Insights from Neuroscience
12:00-12:50 pm
Discussion / Q&A
12:50-1:30 pm
Friday, May 15, 2026
Meeting Our Shadow: Understanding the Psychology of Violence and White Supremacy
12:00-12:50 pm
Discussion / Q&A
12:50-1:30 pm
Friday, May 29, 2026
Exploring Values through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
12:00-12:50 pm
Discussion / Q&A
12:50-1:30 pm
Friday, June 5, 2026
Living a Life of Integrity: What We Can Learn From Zen, Psychotherapy, and Studying Lives Across 8 Decades
12:00-12:50 pm
Discussion / Q&A
12:50-1:30 pm
Faculty
Harvard Medical School Continuing Education attracts the best and brightest faculty from all around the world. As a student in this course, you’ll have access to outstanding course directors and faculty.
Course Directors
Christopher Germer
PhD | Course Director
- Faculty and Co-Founder, Center for Mindfulness and Compassion and Supervisor, Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance
- Lecturer on Psychiatry, part-time, Harvard Medical School
- Faculty, Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy
- Co-Developer, Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Training Program
- Private Practice and Supervision, Arlington, MA
Ronald D. Siegel
PsyD | Course Director
- Faculty, Center for Mindfulness and Compassion, Cambridge Health Alliance
- Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Part-time Harvard Medical School
- Faculty, Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy
Zev Schuman-Olivier
MD | Course Director
- Center Director, CHA Center for Mindfulness and Compassion and Director, Mindful Mental Health Service
- Medical Director for Outpatient Addictions and Director of Addiction Research, Cambridge Health Alliance
- Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
- Faculty Affiliate, Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Dartmouth
Karen Kuc
MPH | Course Director
- Director, Continuing Education in Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance
- Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Paul Gilbert, FBPsS, PhD, OBE
Founder and Director, Compassionate Mind Foundation
Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Derby, UK
Honorary Visiting Professor, University of Queensland, Australia
Sara Lazar, PhD
Director, Lazar Lab for Meditation Research, Massachusetts General Hospital
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Kamilah Majied, MSW, PhD
Professor of Social Work, California State University, Monterey Bay
Diversity and Inclusivity Consultant, Contemplative Coping During COVID-19 Research Project, University of California Davis Center for Mind and Brain
Author, Therapist and Consultant in Private Practice
Robert Waldinger, MD
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Director, Center for Psychodynamic Therapy and Research at Massachusetts General Hospital
Director, Harvard Study of Adult Development
Kelly Wilson, PhD
Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of Mississippi
Psychologist and Consultant in Private Practice
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Course Fees
Registration Details
You may register through our secure online environment and will receive an email confirmation upon receipt of your payment. Prices include CME credit, electronic syllabus, and most recordings available 30 days after the course ends. At the end of the registration process, a $10 non-refundable processing fee will be added to your registration.
| Role | Course Fee |
|---|---|
| Physician (MD/DO) | $290 |
| Nurse (RN/APRN) | $230 |
| PA | $230 |
| Psychologist | $230 |
| Resident/Fellow | $230 |
| Social Worker | $230 |
| Allied Health Professional / Other | $230 |
Accreditation
The Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
For the purpose of recertification, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and American Nurses Credentialing Center accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education). We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.
The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) states that AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are acceptable for continuing medical education requirements for recertification. We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.
Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 7.50 continuing education credits.
Please note: For psychologists, social workers, marriage/family therapists and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. In addition, this course has been approved as a live virtual series and we cannot issue certificates for only watching the recordings. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org.
Cambridge Health Alliance is an affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5444. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. This course meets the requirements for 7.50 continuing education hours, and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 7.50 credits.
Please note: For psychologists, social workers, marriage/family therapists and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. In addition, this course has been approved as a live virtual series and we cannot issue certificates for only watching the recordings. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org.
This activity has been certified by NEAFAST on behalf of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health & Human Services Professions for LMFT Professional Continuing Education. Certification #214615009, for 7.50 contact hours. The States of CT and RI accept NBCC and NASW approval for marriage and family therapy.
Please note: For psychologists, social workers, marriage/family therapists and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. In addition, this course has been approved as a live virtual series and we cannot issue certificates for only watching the recordings. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found on the Union of European Medical Specialists website.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.
This program has been approved for a total of 7.5 Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approval Program Authorization Number D 20126. NY Social Workers: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an Approved Provider #0038 of continuing education for licensed social workers. This course offers 7.50 contact hours.
Please note: For psychologists, social workers, marriage/family therapists and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. In addition, this course has been approved as a live virtual series and we cannot issue certificates for only watching the recordings. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org.