Next course: starts Thursday, 5th September 2024 (online - live via Zoom)

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 a variety of mental health problems. Studies on the 8-week Compassionate Mind Training (CMT) course indicate increased self-compassion, positive emotions, overall well-being, and decreased self-criticism, psychological distress, and relationship insecurities (Irons & Heriot-Maitland, 2021).

This course has been tested on both clinical and non-clinical populations, including students, healthcare professionals, and teachers. Findings reveal significant increases in positive emotions, such as feeling relaxed, safe, and content, as well as increased self-compassion, compassion for others, and compassion from others. Additionally, there were significant reductions in shame, self-criticism, fears of compassion, and stress (Matos et al., 2017).

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 the end of July)

Course dates: 5th Sep, 12th Sep, 19th Sep, 26th Sep, 3rd Oct, 10th Oct, 17th Oct, 24th Oct 2024

Course time: 6.30pm - 9:00pm

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.