Mindful Self-Compassion course: eight weeks on Monday evenings
14 September at 17:00 to 19:30
Our eight-week Mindful Self-Compassion course teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to challenges and difficult emotions with care and understanding.
Monday evenings, from 5 to 7.30pm. The orientation is on 14 September followed by the eight-week course from 21 September to 9 November.
Overview
How we respond to those around us is fundamental to a happy life. We are often encouraged to be kind to people. But in trying to show compassion towards others, we may forget to look after ourselves. Can we truly be kind to anyone else if we cannot be kind to ourselves?
In the Mindful Self-Compassion course we offer ways to meet our own challenges with greater care. Through the course we will learn how to be more mindful of our own feelings in response to others. And we learn how this can help us to be more resilient in difficult situations. We also learn to be less judgemental and more caring. We will learn how this can reduce anxiety, leaving us more open to making helpful changes in our lives.
The course creates a safe, supportive environment. There are three core components:
- mindfulness (being present with whatever is happening)
- self-kindness (treating ourselves with care, rather than criticism)
- common humanity (recognising our suffering as part of the shared human experience)
Some of the main topics we cover are:
- handling difficult emotions
- transforming the inner critic
- cultivating core values
- meeting unmet needs
The weekly sessions include:
- guided meditations
- short talks
- discussion, including in small groups
- experiential exercises
- resources to support home practice
The course creators are Kristin Neff, researcher in the field of self-compassion. And Christopher Germer, leader in the integration of mindfulness and psychotherapy. They have each published books on the subject. You can find out more about our Mindful Self-Compassion course here.
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for the general public, so you do not need to have attended a mindfulness course before. Please note, this courses may not be suitable for everyone. If you are experiencing mental health issues, you should talk to your GP about being referred to the appropriate clinical service.
When?
Monday evenings from 5pm to 7.30pm (BST). The course starts with an orientation of up to 2.5 hours on 14 September 2026 at 5pm, and then continues until 9 November 2026. In total the course runs for 9 weeks including the orientation. See below:
Orientation: 14 September 2026
Session 1: 21 September 2026
Session 2: 28 September 2026
Session 3: 5 October 2026
Session 4: 12 October 2026
Session 5: 19 October 2026
Session 6: 26 October 2026
Session 7: 2 November 2026
Session 8: 9 November 2026
Where?
Online. You will get Zoom log-in details when your place is confirmed.
The format of the course?
- Orientation session lasting up to two and a half hours.
- Eight weekly classes, each lasting two and a half hours, with a 15-minute break in the middle.
- The course follows the programme outlined in the Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Christopher Germer and Kristin Neff. It is suggested you buy this book to accompany the course. It’s particularly helpful if you have to miss a ssion, but it’s not essential.
- Daily meditation home practice of up to 30 minutes is suggested.
Facilitators
Annie Akasati McAuley
Mindfulness meditation has been a source of creativity and joy throughout my life. I am a freelance mindfulness teacher and supervisor. I also work with the Sussex Mindfulness Centre, Suzy Bolt, and the Brighton Buddhist Centre. I am DBS checked and a registered member of the British Association of Mindfulness-based Approaches (BAMBA).
I write a monthly blog on themes related to mindfulness, compassion and wisdom. This is available on our website and other publications. I have a teaching background and have worked with adults and young people over four decades. I am an ordained Buddhist since 1999, leading courses and retreats using my Buddhist name, Akasati.
Julia Powell
Mindfulness has been a huge part of my life ever since I first attended a course in 2007. Having trained to teach with the Oxford Mindfulness Centre I have been teaching mindfulness courses since 2017. Apart from Mindful Self-Compassion, I also teach Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, Mindfulness for Life, Finding Peace in a Frantic World and Mindful Self-Compassion. I’m a trained supervisor and run mindfulness coaching sessions for individuals.
How to book
Please note, we ask all those who book a place on this course to fill in an application form here that will be sent to the facilitators. If you haven’t already, please head here to the fill in the form.
The cost of the eight-week course is £300. We also offer a choice of two other options:
- £325 – Supporting rate. You can support other participants to attend who are on a low income.
- £275 – Supported rate, if you are on a low income and can’t afford the general admission price.
As part of our equity, diversity and inclusion policy, we also have a limited number of concessionary tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis. These are for people who are facing acute financial hardship and who would otherwise not be able to attend. To request a concession ticket please email spft.smc@nhs.net.
We are striving to make our courses accessible for all. If you have additional needs or learning styles, please let us know so we can support you.
You can book here below.
