Kristin Neff

Kristin Neff is an associate professor in the department of educational psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.[1] She is widely recognized as a pioneering researcher in the academic study of self-compassion.[2]

Early life and education

Neff received her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in communication studies and her doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley, where she studied moral development.[3] She subsequently completed two years of postdoctoral research at the University of Denver, focusing on self-concept development.[4]

Research

Neff has been credited with conducting the first academic studies on self-compassion, which she developed an interest in during her final year of graduate school.[2] In 2003, she developed and validated the Self-compassion Scale (SCS), a 26-item instrument designed to measure self-compassion across three core components: self-kindness versus self-judgment, common humanity versus isolation, and mindfulness versus over-identification.[5][6] A 12-item short form of the scale was later developed and validated by Raes, Pommier, Neff, and Van Gucht in 2011.[5][7] Both versions of the scale are widely used in psychological research. Her research has drawn a distinction between self-compassion and self-esteem, arguing that self-compassion offers psychological benefits without the pitfalls associated with the pursuit of high self-esteem, such as narcissism and social comparison.[8]

Publications

Neff is the author of multiple books, including:

  • Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, published by William Morrow
  • Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power and Thrive.[9]

Co-publications with Dr. Chris Germer:

  • The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook (Guilford, 2018)
  • Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals (2019)[10]
  • Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout: Tools to Help You Heal and Recharge When You're Wrung Out by Stress (2024).[11]

She has also written for University of California, Berkeley's Greater Good Magazine.[12]

Mindful Self-Compassion program

Together with Chris Germer, Neff developed the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program, an empirically supported training program in self-compassion.[10] The two co-founded the nonprofit Center for Mindful Self-Compassion, which offers self-compassion training in a variety of formats.[13] Neff also offers an online self-paced introductory course in self-compassion, which includes access to monthly events with expert guest speakers, drop-in mentor sessions, and other resources.[14]

Personal life

Neff is married to author Rupert Isaacson. Their son, Rowan, was diagnosed with autism at age three.[15]

After observing that Rowan's condition appeared to improve through contact with horses, the family traveled to Mongolia to seek further healing. Their journey was documented in Isaacson's book The Horse Boy: A Father's Quest to Heal His Son, published by Little, Brown and Company in 2009, and in a companion documentary film of the same name.[16] The film premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize and won the Lone Star State Audience Award at South by Southwest.[17]

As of 2021, Neff and Isaacson are divorced.[18]

References

  1. ^ "Kristin Neff". University of Texas. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  2. ^ a b Dembling, Sophia (15 June 2015). "Feel better about yourself: Understanding the power of self-compassion". Dallas News. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  3. ^ atxawmedia (2016-02-01). "Dr. Kristen Neff is Pioneering Research at The University of Texas - Austin Woman". Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  4. ^ "About Dr. Kristin Neff". Self-Compassion. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
  5. ^ a b Neff, K. D. (2003a). "The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion". Self and Identity 2(3): 223–250.
  6. ^ "Resilience Through Self-Compassion". Spark Podcast. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  7. ^ Raes, F., Pommier, E., Neff, K. D. and Van Gucht, D. (2011), Construction and factorial validation of a short form of the Self-Compassion Scale. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 18: 250–255.
  8. ^ Khazan, Olga (6 May 2016). "Why Self-Compassion Works Better Than Self-Esteem". The Atlantic. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  9. ^ "Self-Compassion in the Age of Narcissism and Polarization | Psychology Today South Africa". www.psychologytoday.com. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  10. ^ a b "The Wonders of Self-Compassion | Psychology Today New Zealand". www.psychologytoday.com. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  11. ^ "Happiness Break: How to Be Your Own Best Friend". Greater Good. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  12. ^ Neff, Kristin (30 September 2015). "The Five Myths of Self-Compassion". Greater Good Magazine. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  13. ^ "Resilience Through Self-Compassion". Spark Podcast. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  14. ^ "Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff". Self-Compassion. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
  15. ^ atxawmedia (2016-02-01). "Dr. Kristen Neff is Pioneering Research at The University of Texas - Austin Woman". Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  16. ^ "The Horse Boy". Zeitgeist Films. Archived from the original on February 28, 2010.
  17. ^ "SXSW Film Awards Archive". SXSW. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  18. ^ "201. Fierce Compassion with Kristin Neff – Psychologists Off the Clock". Retrieved 2026-03-04.
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