For mindfulness teachers and practitioners who want to teach the eight-week Mindful Self-Compassion course, there is now a clear teacher training pathway available in the UK.
The Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher Training pathway represents a partnership between three UK organisations: the Mindfulness Network, Mindful Self-Compassion UK and the Sussex Mindfulness Centre. We are the UK partners of the US-based Center for Mindful Self Compassion, the global leader in self-compassion training and practice, founded by Dr Kristin Neff and Dr Chris Germer.
Chris Germer will be with us in the UK to help launch the Teacher Training pathway, alongside other compassion initiatives.
I’m particularly pleased to know that the three UK organisations who are committed to delivering the Mindful Self-Compassion programme are joining together to deliver an integrated Mindful Self-Compassion teacher training pathway. This will enable people to first learn Mindful Self-Compassion for themselves, and then to go all the way to becoming a trained teacher.
In September, I am honoured to launch this 18-month collaborative effort that includes an intensive seven-day training, a silent retreat, and the Teacher Training Practicum. This gathering is also a splendid opportunity to renew old friendships and make new ones in our ever-expanding compassion community.
Dr Chris Germer, co-founder of the 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion programme
Trainee teachers following the full training pathway with us, can get completion certificates with the logos of all partner organisations, including the Center for Mindful Self Compassion.
The collaboration of UK partners is significant as, for the first time, it offers trainees the full training pathway to becoming a certified teacher, which includes the opportunity of in-person training in the UK. This training is supported by UK-based organisations who offer the full range of expertise and support to enable trainees to complete all aspects of the required training. After completing the initial training, students are encouraged to teach with each other, so being in a cohort with others is particularly helpful.
The next teacher training programme starts with an intensive seven-day teacher training retreat in March 2025.
Mindful Self-Compassion
Mindful Self-Compassion is an internationally renowned programme developed by Dr Kristin Neff and Dr Chris Germer in the USA. As Mindful Self-Compassion has spread around the globe, many countries have developed what are now well-established Mindful Self-Compassion centres of excellence, offering a variety of training opportunities.
In the UK, the Sussex Mindfulness Centre, the Mindfulness Network and Mindful Self-Compassion UK, have been offering regular Mindful Self-Compassion events for ten years. As leading mindfulness organisations and individuals, we have come together to provide a clear teacher training pathway from introductory workshops to teacher training programmes.
We are international partners of the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion, and together we offer the only UK-based teacher training for Mindful Self-Compassion.
Collaborating partners
The collaborating partners working together on the teacher training pathway for Mindful Self-Compassion in the UK are:
- Mindful Self-Compassion UK (MSC-UK). A supportive community of Mindful Self-Compassion teachers based in the UK whose website hosts a directory of courses, workshops and retreats. Also, MSC-UK offers regular networking events for teachers and practice opportunities for the general public.
- The Mindfulness Network. The Mindfulness Network is a registered charity serving the mindfulness community and general public through supervision, retreats and training courses, including Mindful Self-Compassion offerings.
- The Sussex Mindfulness Centre. Part of the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, the Sussex Mindfulness Centre aims to improve the wellbeing and mental health of all people who can benefit from mindfulness. They do this by running mindfulness and compassion programmes, training teachers and conducting research.
Find out what steps are involved in the Mindful Self-Compassion teacher training pathway here.
