MSC Teacher Training Pathway
Overview of all steps of the MSC Teacher Training Pathway
MSC Teacher Training Pathway
Overview of all steps of the MSC Teacher Training Pathway
How do you become a MSC Teacher?
On this page you will find an explanation of the training steps to become a self-compassion trainer. This self-compassion pathway was developed by our partner organization Center for Mindful Self-Compassion (CMSC) in conjunction with us and other international teaching partners.
The foundation of teaching self-compassion (MSC) is to regularly practice the qualities of mindfulness and self-compassion yourself. Hence, before you can start the teacher training, you must have attended an 8-week MSC training or a 4 to 5-day MSC intensive. So this is actually step 0.
“This trainer training felt like a warm bath. Throughout every step of the training I felt supported and held by my fellow students and the teachers.”
The MSC Teacher Training Pathway
Step 1 the first step of the learning pathway consists of completing the 6-day residential teacher training.
The residential teacher training is designed for people who want to teach self-compassion training (MSC) independently or who want to integrate mindfulness and self-compassion into their professional activities (e.g., psychotherapy, coaching, healthcare, education, etc.). In addition, this training is suitable for those who have a professional interest in it (e.g., researchers, administrators, etc.)
Step 2 is taking part in the teacher training practicum, You put in practice he knowledge gained from step 1 of the pathway together with a group of fellow teachers-in -training.
Step 3 you have to complete while you are teaching you first 8 week MSC course. Together with maximum 5 other MSC Teachers-in-training you will be supported by a senior MSC Teachers during teaching your first course. Only after na finishing all Zoom consultation sessions you will gain Trainer Teacher status.
Step 4 the individual mentoring trajectory is for those who want to further professionalize and deepen their trainership and achieve “Certified Teacher” status.
Summary of the steps of the teacher training pathway
- Step 1: 6-day residential trainer training.
- Step 2: Teacher Training Practicum
- Step 3: Co-teaching your first MSC course, together with consultation via Zoom. You will receive Trained Teacher status after completion.
- Step 4: Individual mentoring to become a 'Certified Teacher' (not required to teach 8 week courses).
As a partner organization of the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion (CMSC), the Selfcompassion Academ offers prospective trainers support in the all steps of the teacher training pathway to become a “trained” or “certified teacher.
Step 1: 6-day residential MSC Teacher Training
Step 1: 6-day MSC Teacher Training
The 6-day self-compassion teacher training is taught by experienced, certified self-compassion teachers and is built around getting to know, experience and practice all the components of the 8-week MSC course.
During the teachback sessions, participants will have the opportunity to examine each exercise from their own experience and reflect on the theoretical underpinnings of the exercises. In addition, the different elements of the self-compassion course are practiced in small practice groups. All under the guidance of the teacher trainers.
You will receive al the teacher materials that are needed to teach the 8-week program.
Participants must attend all sessions to advance to the next step in trainer training (exceptions will only be made in exceptional situations).
What do you learn during the MSC Teacher Training?
Upon completion of the 6-day teacher training, participants should be able to:
- Deepen one's own practice of mindfulness and compassion in dealing with difficult emotions;
- Understand current theory and research on self-compassion;
- Be familiar with the core themes and skills of each MSC session and the retreat session;
- Know and (further) develop the skills needed to guide MSC, including guiding meditations, leading exercises, didactically introducing themes, and facilitating group discussions and processes;
- Recognize obstacles that may arise in mindful self-compassion practice, and be able to adopt strategies to deal with them;
- Recognize obstacles that may arise in mindful self-compassion practice, and be able to adopt strategies to deal with them;
Required literature
At the start of the teacher training we assume that you have read all of the literature below.
All books are available in bookstores or online. Both (obligatory) books by Christopher Germer and Kristin Neff are also available in different languages.
- On Becoming a MSC Teacher: A Mountaineer’s Guide to Building the Resource of Mindful Self-Compassion by Christine Braehler, Steven D. Hickman, and Christopher Germer. Click here to read the article.
- Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals by Christopher Germer & Kristin Neff.
- The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive by Kristin Neff & Christopher Germer.
Recommended literature
- Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff.
- The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions by Christopher Germer.
- Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness: Practices for Safe and Transformative Healing by David Treleaven.
- Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy by Christopher Germer and Ronald Siegel.
- Mindfulness and Psychotherapy – Second Edition by Christopher Germer, Ronald Siegel and Paul Fulton.
- The Compassionate Mind by Paul Gilbert.
- The Mindfulness Solution by Ronald Siegel.
- Self-Compassion: Step by Step. CD set by Kristin Neff.
Who is the Mindful Self-Compassion teacher training suitable for?
The MSC Teacher Training is suitable for everyone who wants to become a self-compassion teacher and meets the pre-requisites:
- Previous participation in an 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) course, or a 4 or 5-day Mindful Self-Compassion Intensive
- Established daily mindfulness practice of at least two years.
- Ongoing practice of loving-kindness and self-compassion in daily life.
- You are educated at HBO+ level or have an equivalent working and thinking level.
- Participation in at least one 5-day mindfulness-based silence retreat guided by a recognized meditation teacher.
Notice:
- There should be at least 6 months between completing your MSC training and beginning trainer training. This gives you the space to consider whether you really want to enter the path of trainer and embody the practice of MSC. By the way, you can sign up for the training right after completing your MSC training.
- Other mindfulness-based training programs do not replace the requirement of having attended standard MSC training.
- You do not need to be a mental health professional to take the MSC teacher training.
Step 2: MSC Teacher Training Practicum (TTP)
Step 2: MSC Teacher Training Practicum (TTP)
The TTP is a 10-week online program with a group of up to 16 teachers-in-training to practice teacher skills in a safe, structured, online environment. The TTP is supervised by two certified MSC teachers/TTP trainers.
Each week, one MSC session will take center stage. As a trainer-in-training, you will prepare each session.
Each time, one teacher in training will have the opportunity to guide one part of the MSC session, followed by feedback and discussion.
There is also the opportunity to meet outside the weekly sessions to prepare the session together.
“The Teacher Trainers practicum gave me the opportunity to work with other trainers in training to really get to know each part of training well. Now I really feel ready to deliver my first training.”
The TTP provides new trainers with a “laboratory” where they can find their own “voice” as they begin to practice what they have learned in the teacher training.
Between each session there is time to reflect on what was learned, prepare for the next session and reflect on personal learning.
The cohort model gives participants the unique opportunity to experience peer support in a safe environment and thus can be a source of support and help long after the practicum is over.
Once you are accepted into the teacher training, you will automatically receive a link to register for your Teacher Training Practicum. Each weekly session lasts 2.5 hours.
We recommend that you conduct your first MSC training within the first year of completing the Teacher Training Practicum .
NOTE: If you want to receive MSC Trained Teacher Status and receive a certificate (step 3), make sure you conduct your first MSC training within two years of completing your Teacher Training Practicum. Only then can you advance to Step 3. and otherwise you must retake the practicum.
Step 3: Co-teaching your first MSC course, together with consultation via Zoom.
“I found the zoom consultation sessions very supportive. I received good tips and feedback. It was nice to be able to ask an experienced teacher questions during the first course. Difficult situations were also discussed in a very open atmosphere without judgment. I felt very safe t share and supported by the teacher and my fellow teachers in training.”
Step 3: Co-training your first MCS workout
Once you have completed the trainer’s training and the trainer’s practical, you can immediately start giving the first 8-week training together as a co-teacher. At the same time you follow 10 group consultation sessions.
The consultations are online via Zoom and offer an opportunity to receive advice and support during your first training.
Zoom consulaten sessions have a max of 6 teachers in training attending (a smaller group is possible though) and are being supervised by a senior MSC Teacher.
Requirements for counting Zoom consultations for Trained Teacher status
To qualify for Trained Teacher status after your initial training and Zoom consultations, you must ensure that you meet the following requirements:
- your MSC training has at least 8 registered participants;
- you must have a co-teacher and teach at least 50% of the course. If you really can't find a co-teacher then you must have an assistant present who preferably has experience working in mental health. Please always discuss this with the teacher trainer before you start the zoom sessions to prevent disappointment.
- your training should follow the MSC curriculum and not be a modified version of it.
Finishing step 3: Apply for Trained Teacher Status
Once you have completed the above steps, you can be awarded Trained Teacher status.
You will then receive a Trained Teacher certificate, be included in the list of Trained Teachers on the website, and be allowed to teach the 8-week MSC training without supervision.
“Thanks to the great support and guidance I received, I now feel confident enough to start teaching the course together with my co-teacher. It’s also great to have found an MSC buddy with whom I can teach. Co-teaching is really nice and fun!”
Step 4: Becoming a Certified Teacher
Step 4: Becoming a Certified Teacher
The “Trained Teacher Status” (Step 3) indicates that the teacher has completed the required training.
To demonstrate your competencies as a teacher, verified by an approved MSC mentor, you can complete Step 4. We highly recommend this step for those who want to teach MSC training on a regular basis.
‘Trained MSC teachers’ can follow the path to certification after they have taught at least three MSC courses. They can then take a ‘Collaborative Assessment’ with an approved MSC mentor. The certification path includes at least 14 hours of individual mentoring, for a minimum of two additional MSC trainings. If you want to become Certified please contact your Teacher Trainer.
Did you get inspired?
Our very experienced teachers love to support you in your teacher training pathway. Take the first step now!
Take part in the MSC Teacher Training!
Costs: € 1375
Singleroom full board: € 1475 (2023 price)
