Mindful Self-Compassion teacher training pathway
With our UK partners, we offer teacher training to enable you to teach the eight-week Mindful Self-Compassion course. We work in collaboration with the US-based, Center for Mindful Self-Compassion.
Mindful Self-Compassion teacher training
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.
Mindful Self Compassion teacher training pathway
The teacher training pathway is outlined below. Steps 1 and 2 are required before training to teach Mindful Self-Compassion. Steps 3 to 5 describe the teacher training pathway. And Step 6 describes a fully trained teacher, which includes recommended ongoing supervision.
Before teacher training
Take a Mindful Self-Compassion course, either in eight weekly classes (in person or online) with Sussex Mindfulness Centre or MSC-UK, or in a residential format over five days with MSC-UK, or online over five consecutive Saturdays with the Mindfulness Network.
Attend a five-day teacher-led retreat with Mindful Self-Compassion UK, the Mindfulness Network or Sussex Mindfulness Centre.
Teacher training pathway
3) Train to teach Mindful Self-Compassion at a seven-day residential training hosted by Sussex Mindfulness Centre. Find out more here.
4) Take the ten-session, weekly, online Teacher Training Practicum with the Sussex Mindfulness Centre. Find out more here.
5) Teach your first Mindful Self-Compassion course supported by five online supervision sessions with a supervisor trained in Mindful Self-Compassion teaching.
Teach Mindful Self-Compassion
6) Teach Mindful Self-Compassion with recommended ongoing supervision from a supervisor, who is trained in Mindful Self-Compassion teaching. To find a supervisor you can visit the Mindfulness Network to see available supervisors and then apply for supervision by clicking here.
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.