Find your inner strength through self-compassion
An evidence-based program designed to help you cultivate greater emotional resilience, self-kindness, and inner strength.
Find your inner strength through self-compassion
An evidence-based program designed to help you cultivate greater emotional resilience, self-kindness, and inner strength.
Where do you want to start?
Build inner strength with self-compassion
Start your personal path to self-kindness. Whether you’re looking for an in-depth experience or a shorter introduction. Choose from 8 or 4-week programs, 2-day core-skills courses, or a 1-day introduction. In-person or online.
Learn to guide others in self-compassion
Learn the essentials of becoming a mindful self-compassion teacher from our senior teachers. Gain the skills to guide meditations, exercises, and teachings with confidence and support others on their adventure.
Advance your practice or teachings
Deepen your practice and witness its impact on yourself and those you teach. Through our continuous courses and support, you’ll receive the tools and guidance to help you explore the depths of self-compassion.
Evidence-based programs for inner strength
Our academy offers mindful self-compassion courses and teacher trainings based on the scientific work of Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer.
What is mindful self-compassion?
Mindful self-compassion (MSC) is a research-backed approach that combines mindfulness and self-compassion to strengthen emotional well-being and resilience.
MSC helps you to meet life’s challenges with more kindness and understanding and can support your growth, healing, and self-awareness.
Our approach
Our approach is rooted in the three starting principles of mindful self-compassion: mindfulness, self-kindness, and common humanity. Whether you’re a beginner or seeking to deepen your practice, our courses provide a nurturing environment to cultivate self-compassion and develop resilience in the face of difficulties.
Our teachers
We collaborate with renowned teachers, including Christopher Germer, Kristin Neff, David Treleaven, Rob Brandsma, and Mila de Koning.
5-Day Mindful Self-Compassion Intensive
Join us in 2026 for five days of mindful self-compassion and deepen your practice with none other than Christopher Germer, one of the founders of the Mindful Self-Compassion program. This intensive program is a deep dive into the principles of Mindful Self-Compassion to strengthen self-kindness, mindfulness, and emotional resilience.
Join us from October 13 – 18 2026. Registration is now open.
What our participants say
“This teacher training felt like a warm bath. Throughout every step of the training I felt supported and carried by my fellow students and the teachers.”
Our teaching faculty
At The Self-Compassion Academy, we are proud of our diverse and experienced teaching faculty. Each teacher brings deep knowledge, years of commitment to Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), and a strong personal practice.
Our senior teachers have extensive teaching experience and embody the principles of self-compassion in their work. this seniority reflects both expertise and long-standing dedication to MSC.
With both skill and a compassionate presence, our teachers create a safe, supportive learning environment, helping you reduce self-criticism, build resilience, and foster well-being.
Become part of our global community
Connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and learn from one another’s adventures.
Together, we can create a ripple effect of compassion that extends far beyond ourselves.
We are an official partner of the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion since 2014
We keep up with the international standards of the MSC Program, as created by Kristin Neff and Chris Germer. We have been teaching MSC programs and teacher training since 2014.
We spread compassion where it matters most
The Self-Compassion Academy is a non-profit organization committed to making our trainings accessible to those in need.
Our scholarship program prioritizes individuals living in countries affected by conflict, financial instability, or severe economic hardship. We support people facing the greatest barriers to access and aim to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable MSC-community.
Explore our science-backed articles
Find your inner strength through self-compassion
Start your self-compassion adventure today.
Become a mindful self-compassion teacher
Guide practices and teachings with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
What is mindful self-compassion (not)?
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is a training program based on scientific research and developed by Kristin Neff, PhD, and Christopher Germer, PhD. The program emphasizes the practice of self-compassion, that is rooted in mindfulness, self-kindness and common humanity. It is designed to help you tap into your inner strength and cope with difficulties with resilience and compassion. MSC is not considered psychotherapy nor is it a retreat in the traditional sense. More about our courses.
Who developed the MSC program?
The MSC program was developed in 2010 by two psychologists, Kristin Neff, PhD, and Christopher Germer, PhD. The training is offered worldwide. The effectiveness of the training has been extensively researched and provides a sound scientific basis for the training.
I want to become a MSC teacher, where do I start?
Great to hear you want to become a MSC teacher. The foundation for teaching MSC is to embody the qualities of mindfulness and self-compassion and to have an ongoing, daily practice. In our Teacher Training Program, this is exactly what you’ll learn. In six days, you’ll learn to guide meditations, exercises, and teachings with confidence. Read more about our teacher training.
Who is Kristin Neff?
Dr. Kristin Neff is the pioneering researcher in the field of self-compassion. Over 20 years ago, Neff pioneered the study of mindful self-compassion, developing a theory and measurement scale that shaped the field. Together with Christopher Germer, she co-founded the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion, making self-compassion accessible through a range of evidence-based training programs. More about Kristin Neff.
Who is Christopher Germer?
Dr. Christopher Germer is a clinical psychologist and leading expert in mindful self-compassion. Together with Kristin Neff, he co-founded the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. They have spent years shaping the field of self-compassion through their writing and research. More about Christopher Germer.
How do you show yourself compassion?
Self-compassion is a skill you can develop through practice. You can start with taking a moment and asking yourself “What do I need right now?”. Tune into what’s going on inside. What emotions are you feeling? What thoughts are running through your mind? Can you offer yourself some understanding? Can you then recognize what you truly need? Do you need self-compassion and acceptance for the situation? Or do you perhaps need a gentle push in the right direction? Here we explain how to take a self-compassion break.
What are the three elements of self-compassion?
Self-compassion has three core components, as defined by Kristin Neff: self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness.
- Self-kindness means treating yourself with the same care and understanding you would offer a good friend.
- Common humanity involves recognizing that suffering and is part of the shared human experience. It’s something that we all go through rather than something that happens to “me” alone.
- Mindfulness involves being aware of your emotions and thoughts without being overwhelmed or suppressing them.
What are self-compassion exercises I can practice at home?
There are many ways to practice self-compassion, even at home. You might start by taking a few deep breaths and gently asking yourself: What do I need right now? Helpful exercises include taking a self-compassion break, writing a kind letter to yourself, reflecting on a challenging situation, grounding yourself in the present moment, or trying one of the non-meditative mindfulness practices.
Can practicing self-compassion ease the effects of burnout?
Yes, research by Kristin Neff shows that self-compassion can help reduce burnout by lowering stress, increasing emotional resilience, and promoting a healthier response to difficult experiences. Neff wrote a book on this topic: Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout: Tools to Help You Heel and Recharge When You’re Wrung Out by Stress.
What if practicing self-compassion feels overwhelming and strong emotions arise?
Mindfulness or self-compassion can sometimes stir up difficult or strong emotions. This is called backdraft, and a necessary part of the process. It’s an inevitable stage of healing and recovery from past wounds and trauma. If you feel worse when practicing self-compassion, it’s important to take a step back. Here we explain what you can do when experiencing backdraft.