Teacher Training Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC)
In 6 days you will learn the fundamentals of begin a mindful self-compassion teacher.
Theoretical background combined with practicing guiding the different exercises, meditations and teachings alternate during this teacher training.
Teacher Training Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC)
In 6 days you will learn the fundamentals of begin a mindful self-compassion teacher.
Becoming a Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher
The foundation for teaching MSC is to embody the qualities of mindfulness and self-compassion and to have an ongoing, daily practice.
In addition, you need theoretical background and practical knowledge of the various topics and components of the training.
ZelfcompassieMSC Teachers are often deeply touched during their own self-compassion training and would like to pass this on to others. Becoming an MSC teacher is a wholehearted endeavor and a rich experience for those who choose to embark on this path.
During this 6-day teacher training, you will actively engage in teaching the important self-compassion themes and exercises.
“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
1. The first step of the learning pathway consists of completing the 6-day residentiële trainersopleiding.
De residentiële 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.)
2. In het practicumgedeelte van de trainersopleiding (TTP) oefen je met een groep mede trainers in opleiding, met de opgedane kennis uit de residentiële trainersopleiding.
3. If you want to gain Trained MSC Teacher status you so can independently teach the 8-week self-compassion training you need to complete step 3 of the teacher training pathway.
During step 3 you will be guided (via Zoom) by an experienced MSC Teacher during teaching your own 8 week mindful self-compassion course. trainer tijdens het geven van jouw compassietraining.
Summary of the steps of the teacher training pathway:
- Step 1: 6-day residential trainer training.
- Step 2: Teacher Training Practicum (TTP). Practicum trainersopleiding (TTP)
- Step 3: Co-teaching you first 8 week MSC course with Zoom consultation sessions. You will receive Trained Teacher Status. Co-trainen van jouw eerste MSC-training, met consultatie via Zoom. Je ontvangt Trainer Teacher status
As a partner organization of the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion (CMSC), the Mindfulness Academy (dMA) offers prospective teachers support in their route to becoming “trained” or “certified trainers.
Program of the MSC Teacher Training
Step 1: 6-day self-compassion 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 training. zelfcompassie trainersopleiding wordt gegeven door ervaren, gecertificeerde zelfcompassietrainers en is opgebouwd rondom het leren kennen, ervaren én oefenen met alle onderdelen uit de 8-weekse MSC training.
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 exercise 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).
Learning goals
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;
- Embody a mindful and compassionate attitude as their participants face the challenges in their training.
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 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.
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 Dutch. Click here to read the article that is mentioned.
- 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.
- 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 teacher training is designed for people who want to teach the 8 week mindful self-compassion course (MSC) independently or who want to integrate mindfulness and self-compassion into their professional activities (e.g., psychotherapy, coaching, healthcare, education, etc.). In addition, the training is suitable for those who have a professional interest in it (e.g., researchers, administrators, etc.).
“I not only learned a lot about the different facets of self-compassion during this teacher training, but it also deepened my own self-compassion practice.”
Required Prerequisites
The following requirements apply to participate in the MSC trainer course:
- Established daily mindfulness practice of at least two years.
- Ongoing, daily, sitting meditation practice.
- Ongoing practice of loving-kindness and self-compassion in daily life.
- Previous participation in an 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) course, 4 to 5-day Mindful Self-Compassion Intensive or 10-week Live Online MSC (LOMSC).
- Participation in at least one 5-day mindfulness-based silence retreat guided by a 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.
Practical information trainer training Mindful Self-Compassion
Location
The trainer training takes place at a beautiful location in the Netherlands. Since there are also evening programs, we have a residential setting.
Investment
Course fee: € 1.495,- Exempt from VAT.
Accommodation: hotel De Werelt Veluwe: € 1.495,- (6 nights in a single or double room on a full board)
Important to know
The cost of the Trainer Practicum is not included.
Questions?
Please contact us using one of the options at the bottom of this page.
Starting date
5 day Silent Retreat May 23 - May 28, 2025
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Costs: € 825
Dates: May 23 - May 28, 2025
Start: Friday May 23 at 18:00 CEST. Check in from 4 pm.
This retreat qualifies as a pre-requisite for the MSC teacher training and will be held in English.
Please Note: Registration cost does not include the cost of accommodations and food, which is €625 for 5 days
Teacher Training Mindful Self-Compassion June 29, 2025
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Teachers Chris Germer & Mila de Koning
Dates: June 29 - July 5 2025
Dates: Sunday June 29th registration opens at 4.00 pm and 7.30 pm starting session. Saturday July 5 we end at lunchtime (around 12.00 o'clock).
Costs
MSC Teacher Training: € 1495
Hotel: € price for hotel will be updated later this year (for 6 nights in a single room on full board.).
What our participants say about us?
“Personally and in my Clinical Psychology work, I see the impact of Self Compassion as transformative. I had been practicing mindfulness for 15 years but it was attending the MSC course as a participant that changed my life – it was like the key peice of the jigsaw.
I have an interest in the research on Self Compassion, so for me it was important to learn from the specialists and leaders in the field who have been teaching, developing and researching the MSC programme. The MSC has a strict protocol that is unique and well defined, with it’s active elements being tested accross many different populations.
The initial training week itself was glorious. A well planned teaching container and fully nourishing – easily the best training I have ever received in a specific intervention. The 10 week TTP afterwards ensured that we were well prepared and practiced as teachers.
The training also gave us the gift of meeting our fellow students – connecting to a worldwide group of committed individuals who are making waves with self compassion where they are, from schools and hospitals to war zones – very inspiring.
The teachers held our experience perfectly, modelling wisdom, expertise, love and FUN!
If you have completed the MSC course as a participant, fulfill the other requirements and know the generative value of Self Compassion then do consider this MSC teacher training… this is a growing area and there is a need for more people to live and share this work.”
“I attended the MSC teacher training in the Netherlands in the summer of 2023. It was a transformative experience for me. There were approximately 40 attendees from over 20 countries, all sharing a commitment to bring more compassion and self-compassion into their lives and the lives of others. The opportunity to interact with so many inspiring people from around the world was unique for me.
The senior teachers, including Mila, Chris (Germer) and Laura were delightful, insightful and inspired with their wisdom, experience and sense of humor. It was a wonderful experience to hear the history and details of the development of the MSC program. The academy made sure that the location and food was excellent. It was hard to leave and we continue to stay in touch with a whatsapp thread.
I would recommend this program wholeheartedly to anyone interested in developing their self-compassion.”
“Since I participated in the Mindful Self-compassion training years ago, I felt the warm wish in my heart to be able to share this with others by becoming a trained teacher.
Taking part in the teacher training was heart-warming, inspiring and very valuable! It’s not learning some ‘tricks’, but – like the training itself – it’s based on experiencing and practicing. It’s a practice from the heart, so you learn on a deeper level too.
The teachers have a perfect mix of kindness, common humanity, inspiriation, guidance, and humor. This all together made the teacher training a warm, inspirational learning environment with lots op joy and connection in the group. A perfect way to develop myself in becoming a teacher. It gave me even more enthousiasm to be a trainer and when I talk to people about selfcompassion, they often say how they feel my enthousiasm, the warmth and how they feel inspired.
I would really recommend to start a teacher training, to feel and spread self-compassion into the world!”
“The Intensive Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Teacher Training, led by Mila de Koning, Chris Germer, and Laura Bassi was a transformative experience, and a true eye-opener.
Joining this amazing group of people for a week of training was really inspiring. The sense of community among the participants and the genuine dedication of the instructors made the learning process truly enjoyable and enriching. I could feel their genuine passion, together with their present, approachability and willingness to guide students. This created a positive and encouraging learning environment.
Not only did I learn necessary skills to embark on my journey to become a good teacher, but also gained new insights into personal development and self-compassion. Throughout the sessions I felt supported. This was an invaluable experience that I will bring into my own practice.
I am honored and proud to learn from such wonderful people full of love, peace and knowledge.”
Get to know the teachers
Christopher Germer
Chris Germer, PhD is a clinical psychologist and lecturer on psychiatry (part-time) at Harvard Medical School. He co-developed the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program with Kristin Neff in 2010 and MSC has since been taught to over 100,000 people worldwide.
They co-authored two books on MSC, The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook and Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program. Chris spends most of his time lecturing and leading workshops around the world on mindfulness and self-compassion.
He is also the author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion; he co-edited two influential volumes on therapy, Mindfulness and Psychotherapy, and Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy; and he maintains a small private practice in Arlington, Massachusetts, USA.
David Spound
David Spound, M.Ed., is has more than 20 years of mindfulness and compassion teaching experience, including courses in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC).
He trained and worked at the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (the clinic founded by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D.) where he taught MBSR and managed the MBSR Teacher Training and Certification Program.
In addition, he trained and works with the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion where he has served as a senior teacher, teacher trainer, and mentor. In recent years, David helped manage the MSC Teacher Training Program, and he co-developed the online MSC Teacher Training course (LOTT). David also leads silent meditation retreats for CMSC, and he is a teacher in the 8-month MSC Community for Deepening Practice.
David lives in the northeast United States where he enjoys road biking, playing the ukulele, and hiking with his dog Max.
Helle Laursen
Helle Laursen, MA, is a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher and has 20 + years of experience supporting people on sick leave due to mental health issues. For more than 20 years, she has been a dedicated student of Heartfulness Meditation and a meditation trainer.
She teaches open MSC courses online and in-person, in Denmark as well as internationally. She also teaches for Center for MSC in the US, where she is a Teacher Trainer and Supervisor of the MSC program, as well as teaching the live online MSC program regularly.
Earlier, she had the position of Leading Mentor Coach in the largest Coach Training Institute in Denmark for 10 + years, as well as holding a position of Head of Project for a regional based 12-week program for those on sick leave from jobs due to mental health issues like stress, depression and or anxiety. Helle works with varied groups, primarily with social workers, teachers, psychologists, therapists, nurses, and doctors.
Helle is committed to bringing compassionate awareness into everyday life in a lighthearted way so that life can be even more enjoyable and rich, and meaningful.
Laura Bassi
Laura Bassi is a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher and Regional Coordinator for Italy. She has been practicing meditation for 12 years.
She has been working as a physiotherapist in Ferrara for 13 years. Science disseminator and curator of the Fisiocamera YouTube channel.
Mila de Koning
Mila de Koning has been delivering mindfulness and self-compassion courses, workshops and coaching to different audiences since 2006.
She worked for years in healthcare, within the mental health sector in various positions, including as a nurse, sociotherapist, teacher and prevention worker. Since 2011, she has focused entirely on mindfulness and self-compassion, within the VU medical centre she founded the mindfulness expertise centre with the aim of bringing mindfulness and self-compassion to healthcare.
Together with Marga Gooren, Mila wrote the book Hart voor de dokter, met zelfcompassie aan het werk in 2020 (will be publishes in English soon) and together they are teaching selfcompassion and mindfulness to doctors and other healthcare workers.
Mila is founder of the Self Compassion Academy and De Mindfulness Academie and lead teacher of the mindfulness and self-compassion teacher training. The Self Compassion Academy is the European partner of the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion in San Diego, U.S.A .
‘After so many years of teaching mindfulness and self compassion I still teach with a lot of passion and pleasure. Passing on mindfulness and self-compassion is something I do with my heart and soul. I truly believe that compassion is a force that can change the world!’
Rob Brandsma
Rob Brandsma is the developer of the Mindfulness Trainer Course and still enjoys teaching the course. He is particularly interested in harnessing mindfulness and compassion in the many domains of everyday life and, in particular, healthcare.
He is the author of a number of public books on mindfulness for the general public such as Better Now and Everyday More Mindfulness. In the field of the trainer profession, he published the trilogy Mindfulness Basic Book, Mindfulness Practice Book and Mindfulness Training Book. The Practice Book was published in an international edition under the title The Mindfulness Teaching Guide. He follows with interest the advancing scientific understanding of mindfulness and also bases his work as a trainer and the development of new mindfulness-based interventions on it.
Speaking about his passion for mindfulness and compassion, he says: ‘Mindfulness enables me to cope better with challenges and obstacles and to realise more often that the here and now is (almost) always the best place to be. It enriches my life with insight, wonder and mildness. It is a gift to be able to bring this into my work too.’
Rob previously worked as a prevention officer in addiction services, as director of a health education organisation, and in his own psychological treatment practice. He is a non-practising GZ psychologist, remedial educationalist and psychologist NIP.
