Mindful Self-Compassion course: eight weeks on Saturday mornings
18 April 2026 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.
Overview
Research has shown that self-compassion greatly enhances emotional wellbeing. It boosts happiness, reduces anxiety and depression, and can even help maintain healthy lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise. Being both mindful and compassionate leads to greater ease and wellbeing in our daily lives. Find out more about our Mindful Self-Compassion course here.
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for the general public, 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 09.30 to 12.00. There is an orientation session on 18 April. The eight-week course starts on 25 April and runs until 20 June 2026 (with a one-week break, date to be confirmed).
Where?
Online. You will get Zoom log-in details when your place is confirmed.
The format of the course?
- Two-and-a-half-hour orientation session.
- Eight further weekly two-and-a-half-hour classes including mindful self-compassion practices, discussion and exercises.
- The course follows the programme outlined in the Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Christopher Germer and Kristin Neff. It is recommended that you buy this book to accompany the course, but it’s not essential.
- Daily meditation home practice of between 20 to 40 minutes.
Facilitator
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. He 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 nearly 40 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.
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 facilitator. 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 find yourself on a low income.
You can book here below
