Meditation and Psychotherapy: The Science of Values and the Evolution of Virtue

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.

Early Registration Deadline: April 2, 2026

Who Should Participate

• Specialty Physicians
• Primary Care Physicians
• Social workers
• Counselors
• Family Therapists
• Psychologists
• Nurses

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• 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..

ABMS/ACGME Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) / Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Educational (ACGME) competencies:

• Patient Care and Procedural Skills
• Medical Knowledge
• Professionalism
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills

IOM Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following Institute of Medicine Core Competencies:

• Provide Patient-Centered Care
• Employ Evidence-Based Practice

Questions?

Please contact the Continuing Education Programs with any questions by email at learn@hms.harvard.edu.

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

Course Directors

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.

Christopher K. Germer, PhD

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

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

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

Director, Continuing Education in Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance​​​
Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

In support of improving patient care, Harvard Medical School is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physicians

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.

Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses

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. 

Physician Assistants

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. 

Psychologists

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.

Social Workers

Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted to NASW-MA. Please contact us at cme@challiance.org for the status of social work CE accreditation. 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.

Counselors

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.

Family Therapists

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.

Canadian Accreditation

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.

European Accreditation

The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialties (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found on the European Union of Medical Specialties website.

Disclosure Policy

In accord with the disclosure policy of the Medical School as well as standards set forth by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), course planners, speakers, and content reviewers have been asked to disclose any relationships they have to companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. In addition, faculty have been asked to list any off-label uses of pharmaceuticals and/or devices for investigational or non-FDA approved purposes that they plan to discuss.

Disclaimer

CME activities accredited by Harvard Medical School are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of certification of competency. Practitioners should always consult additional sources of information and exercise their best professional judgment before making clinical decisions of any kind.

Note: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ is calculated based on submission of a preliminary agenda and may be subject to change.