Compassionate Mind Training 8 week Online Course
Next course starts: 2nd June 2025
Are you often too hard on yourself when you make mistakes? Do you find it challenging to take care of yourself during tough times or to accept care from others? If this sounds familiar, this course can help you develop a kinder, more supportive relationship with yourself.
Compassion can be described as a deep sensitivity to the suffering of oneself and others, combined with a commitment to alleviate and prevent that suffering. Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) teaches that compassion requires the courage to face pain and the wisdom to take effective action. This therapeutic approach highlights the importance of balancing the three flows of compassion: compassion towards others, receiving compassion from others, and self-compassion. By fostering these flows, we aim to transform negative self-criticism into a nurturing inner dialogue, promoting emotional healing and psychological well-being. Compassion is not just a passive feeling but an active and dynamic process integral to mental health.
Why Choose This Course?
Research on CFT has shown promising results in reducing distress and promoting well-being across various mental health problems. Studies indicate increased self-compassion, positive emotions, and decreased self-criticism.
Experience the Benefits:
Reduce Self-Criticism: Learn how to quiet that harsh inner voice and replace it with a nurturing, compassionate dialogue.
Enhance Emotional Balance: Develop skills to manage strong emotions like anger, anxiety, and shame.
Improve Relationships: Foster a deeper connection with yourself and others through increased compassion.
Boost Your Well-Being: Experience a greater sense of calm, contentment, and emotional strength.
What You’ll Learn
This 8-week course, developed by Drs Chris Irons & Charlie Heriot-Maitland, is based on the pioneering work of Professor Paul Gilbert, the creator of CFT. It offers scientifically proven methods to enhance compassion. Throughout the 8 sessions, you will learn to develop and access your compassionate mind to reduce self-criticism, balance strong negative emotions like anger, anxiety, and shame, and become more compassionate towards yourself and others.
Key topics:
Understanding how our minds can get caught in negative thinking-emotion ‘loops’
Exploring the ‘three emotion systems’ model and addressing emotional imbalance
Learning about compassion, identifying facilitators and barriers, and how to cultivate it
Developing compassion in three different flows: – towards others, from others and to ourselves
Balancing emotions through mindfulness and compassion skills
Each session lasts around 2.5 hours, combining taught content and practical exercises such as mindfulness, imagery, and compassionate mind skills. The course is designed to be highly experiential, providing ample opportunities to engage in various compassion practices. You will be guided through these practices and have the chance to reflect individually and within the group. Breakout rooms will facilitate discussions, creating a safe space to share common struggles and insights related to cultivating compassion. You will be encouraged to practice skills between sessions, guided by audio files and written material.
Skills You’ll Develop:
Mindfulness: Practice attention and awareness exercises to enhance attentional stability
Breathing: Learn specific rhythms to soothe and calm the body and mind
Compassion: Cultivate your ‘compassionate mind’ using memory, imagery, embodied action, and emotional processing
What is Included in the Course
8 weekly online sessions, each 2.5 hours long, led by a CMT facilitator and experienced Clinical Hypnotherapist
Guided audio sessions to support your compassion practice at home
Weekly slides summarising key concepts
A comprehensive 73-page handout with techniques and additional readings
Session recordings are available for 30 days
A small group setting with a maximum of 12 participants to ensure a safe space for sharing experiences and receiving guidance
About the facilitator
I am Sarah Mortimer and I am a clinical hypnotherapist with a deep interest in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), sparked by personal challenges during the pandemic. Through training with Drs. Chris Irons and Charlie Heriot-Maitland, I have effectively incorporated CFT techniques into my practice. As a Compassionate Mind Training facilitator and an experienced clinical hypnotherapist, I bring a wealth of knowledge and personal experience to guide you through this transformative journey.
Enroll Now
Transform your relationship with yourself through this 8-week online Compassionate Mind Training course. Sign up today and take advantage of the early bird discount!
Course Fee: £295 (Early bird discount: £270 until 31st December 2024)
Course dates: 2nd Jun, 9th Jun, 16th Jun, 23rd Jun, 30th Jun, 7th Jul, 14th Jul, 21st Jul 2025
Course time: 2.30pm - 5:00pm
References:
Irons C., & Heriot-Maitland C. (2021). Compassionate Mind Training: An 8-week group for the general public. Psychol Psychother. Sep;94(3):443-463.
Matos, M., Duarte, C., Duarte, J., Pinto-Gouveia, J., Petrocchi, N., Basran, J., & Gilbert, P. (2017). Psychological and physiological effects of compassionate mind training: A pilot randomised controlled study. Mindfulness, 8(6), 1699–1712.
Terms and Conditions for Compassionate Mind Training Courses
By enrolling in the Compassionate Mind Training (CMT) course, you agree to the following terms and conditions:
Course Attendance: To gain the full benefits of the CMT course, participants are required to attend at least 6 out of the 8 sessions. For the missed sessions, you can watch the recording. Please ensure you are available for the scheduled dates. If you are unable to attend a session, please notify me in advance.
Refund Policy: Refunds will be considered up to 14 days prior to the start of the course. If you need to cancel your place within this timeframe, you will receive a full refund or you can transfer to a future CMT course. However, after this period, refunds will not be provided, although you still have the option to transfer to a future course at any time, allowing you to participate at a later date.
Course Format: The course will be delivered online via Zoom, and each session will last approximately 2.5 hours. Participants will receive access to session recordings for 30 days post-course to support their learning.
Engagement: This course is designed to be highly experiential, and your active participation will enhance the learning experience. Please come prepared to engage in discussions and practice exercises.
By enrolling in the course, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions.