Professional Trainings

THE COMPASSION CULTIVATION CYCLE

Learn a Resilience & Self-Compassion Framework

Learn how to apply this cycle to build resilience and self-compassion in yourself, clients, and work environments.

Learn The Neurobiology

Build Compassionate Neuropathways

Embody Mindfulness in Everyday Life

"Practical, useful, and meaningful training that will be used in session with my clients from this day forward!"

— D.L, Licensed Therapist, Compassion Cycle Training Participant

NEUROSCIENCE | ECOLOGY | YOGA

Compassion From the Inside Out

Join Head & Heart for a unique, integrative experiences of restoration and learning. Clinical Social Worker Ellen Slater offers retreat style experiential workshops with interactive lecture, guided mindfulness, writing prompts, and unique, thought provoking practices. Build a deeper connection with your own heart, your relationships, and our wise earth.

The Neurobiology of Intuition

HEART BRAIN | GUT BRAIN | ANCIENT BRAIN

October 4th, 2024 | 9:00-3:30pm (PT)

Join our day long retreat-style training on the three vital “brains” of intuition. This training offers evidence based practices and a deeper understanding of intuition, which fosters confidence and self-awareness. These elements are primary ingredients to resilience.

6 CE Hours for LMHC, LICSW, LMFT

The Head & Heart Approach

Ellen teaches the Compassion Cultivation Cycle™ (CCC), which is a model she designed from her experience and training in Interpersonal Neurobiology, Polyvagal and Attachment Theories, The Neuroscience of Compassion, and Ecology. The CCC is a framework to understand shame, anxiety, depression and other forms of suffering, and how to sustainably transform these experiences and build resilience and self-compassion throughout your life.

You will leave with an intellectual understanding of the material and a path to embodied understanding. Woven through Ellen’s trainings you’ll find various nervous system restoration practices:

GUIDED MINDFULNESS

EVIDENCE BASED BREATHING

AN ATMOSPHERE OF EASE

Join this training to support your own neurobiology, while also learning how to deliver impactful neurobiological change in your encounters with others.

“Wonderful training with clear interventions on conceptualizing and building compassion!”

-SW, Clinical Social Worker

Our Learning Objectives

  • Understand the neurobiology of compassion

  • Learn the Barriers to Compassion and how to overcome them

  • Learn unique experiential self-compassion practices & how to tailor them for yourself/others

  • Introduction to The Compassion Cultivation Cycle™, a framework for healing shame, anxiety, and stress

Meet Your Guide

Ellen Slater

CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER & MINDFULNESS TEACHER

A graduate of University of Chicago and founder of Head & Heart, an integrative wellness center based out of Winthrop, Washington. Her studies, training, and clinical practice focus on the intersection of spirituality and psychology, incorporating the body into traditional psychotherapy. She has specialized in trauma, addiction, and neuroscience including a Fellowship with the Seattle VA Hospital and a year-long immersion in Interpersonal Neurobiology with Dr. Bonnie Badenoch.

"Ellen Slater is a brilliant therapist and teacher. She gracefully weaves compassionate practice with heady science.”

- 2021 training participant

A focused approach built on a diverse set of knowledge

Ellen focuses on designing interventions, particularly metaphor and mindfulness exercises, from a holistic perspective. She is experienced working with individuals and families in community mental health, the criminal justice system, hospital settings, and currently has a private practice alongside hosting weekend long compassion based retreats. Ellen is sensitive to biological, psychological, social, and spiritual elements of wellness. Her approach is collaborative and interactive with the intention to support discovery, and nourishment, of a whole, integrated life.

Sociology & Psychology

Research-based Neurobiology

Spirituality & Ecology

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Words from Students

  • "This training really helps challenge the idea that compassion is weak or letting ourselves or others off the hook. Loved the concept of compassionate willpower and metaphors for defusion."

    - Training Participant

  • "Ellen is a breath of fresh air in our turbulent world. She combines science, compassion, and love into a unique brew that inspires me to be better in every conversation we have."

    - Josh

  • "Ellen has the ability to blend a variety of historic teachings with a modern point of view. Her teachings are extremely accessible. Her lessons have helped me stay present in my life - no matter what is happening around me."

    - Natalie

  • "Ellen is a skilled clinician offering valuable education in a compassionate manner that has the potential to bring great transformation to clients and clinicians alike."

    - Training Participant

EMBRACE THE POWER OF COMPASSION

Compassion Retreats

Deep dive into your own neurobiology and build compassion from the inside out. Heal from anxiety, shame, stress, and more through this evidence based cycle of change.