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 teacher training:
- 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 teacher 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 Mennorode: € 1349,- (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.
What our participants say about us?
Get to know the teachers
Christopher Germer
David Spound
Helle Laursen
Laura Bassi
Mila de Koning
