Mindful Self-Compassion course: eight weeks on Saturday mornings
17 April 2027 at 09:30 to 12:00
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.
Saturday mornings from 9:30am to midday (BST).The orientation is on 17 April followed by the eight-week course from 24 April to 19 June 2027 (with a break on 5 June).
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?
Saturday mornings from 9.30am to 12pm (BST). The course starts with an orientation of up to 2.5 hours on 17 April 2027 at 9.30am. The course runs from 24 April to 19 June 2027, with a break on 5 June, for a total of nine weeks, including the orientation.
Orientation: 17 April 2027
Session 1: 24 April 2027
Session 2: 1 May 2027
Session 3: 8 May 2027
Session 4: 15 May 2027
Session 5: 22 May 2027
Session 6: 29 May 2027
Session 7: 12 June 2027
Session 8: 19 June 2027
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 helpful, particularly if you have to miss a session, but it’s not essential.
- Daily meditation home practice of up to 30 minutes is suggested.
Facilitators
Paul Johanson
Paul Johanson is a social worker, mindful self-compassion teacher and cognitive analytic therapist in private practice. He has worked in many areas of health and social care, including criminal justice, substance misuse, serious mental illness, psychological therapies, cancer and palliative care.
Paul has worked as a strategic leader for the NHS in implementing national programmes in mental health, psychological therapies and patient experience. Paul is a long-term Buddhist practitioner, beginning his journey over 35 years ago in the Rinzai Zen Buddhist tradition, and has been a student in the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism since 1991. He was the Buddhist Chaplain at the University of Sussex from 2013 to 2025.
Paul Johanson will be supported by assistant teacher Fiona MacLeod.
How to book
Please note, we ask all those who book a place on this course to fill in an application form that will be sent to the facilitators. If you haven’t already, please head here to 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.
You can book here
