8-week live online course
Wednesday evenings, 6:00-8:30pm UK timeWeekly sessions: 14 January - 11 March, 2026, with a half-day retreat on Saturday, 21 Feb

Mindful Self Compassion

Do you......have a tough inner critic who finds fault and always thinks you "should" be doing better?
...struggle with feelings of perfectionism?
...want to learn ways to stop being so hard on yourself?

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Mindful Self Compassion can help you learn to be a kind friend to yourself

The 8-week Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) course is a training program to help you build the skills of self compassion, so that you can:
- build emotional strength and resilience
- admit your shortcomings (which come simply from being human!)
- motivate yourself with kindness
- forgive yourself when needed
- related wholeheartedly to others and
- be more authentically yourself

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Evidence-based and research-backed

Self compassion is not just an opinion, fad, or trend.The course has been designed and developed by leading MSC researchers and practitioners, Kristin Neff and Chris Germer.Latest research shows that self compassion is strongly associated with less stress, anxiety, and depression. Self compassion also helps with motivating yourself to begin or maintain healthy habits related to exercise and diet, wellbeing, and relationships.Rather than forcing yourself through harshness, blaming, or shaming, self compassion encourages this through considering how those good habits could help you live with more wellbeing and ease.

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What the course will give you

Many of us were not taught skills to be kind to ourselves or to regulate ourselves when we encounter difficult emotions or challenges. Think of this course as a way to build your muscles of self compassion.In the 8-week program, you'll learn how to
- practice self compassion in daily life
- identify the benefits of self compassion
- motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism
- handle emotions with greater ease
- transform challenging relationships
- manage caregiver fatigue
- practice the art of self appreciation

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What to expect

Course format
- Eight weekly sessions plus a half-day online retreat
- The sessions will be held live on Zoom and will not be recorded
- The teachers and participants will be visible, just as if we were in a room together
- The group size is a minimum of 8 and maximum of 12 participants, plus 2 teachers
- There will be large and small group interaction, as you would have in a traditional classroom
- We suggest setting aside time each day for daily mindfulness and self compassion practices — ideally around 30 minutes, or whatever feels manageable for youYou will need
- Desktop/laptop or tablet that is able to access Zoom
- Webcam and microphone
- Stable internet connection
- A private space where you can be undisturbed

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How do I know if this is right for me?

You may be excited but unsure about whether this program is for you. Everyone is welcome, including people of all backgrounds and identities. You don't need any previous experience of mindfulness or MSC. For your and the group's wellbeing and safety, there are a few things to consider:
- This course is not offered as a treatment for any specific psychological or physical conditions
- The course may not be suitable for people experiencing severe difficulties
- As part of the booking process, we'll ask you to complete a personal history questionnaire and a follow-up call may be arranged. Sometimes it's not the right time or the right course for you. The teacher will explore this with you to make sure the course is suitable for you.

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Dates and prices

Dates: Weekly on Wednesday evenings, online via Zoom
14 January, 2026 —11 March, 2026.Time: 6:00pm-8:30pm UK timeThere will be no session on Wed, 18 Feb, and there is an online half-day retreat on Saturday, 21 Feb.The Early Bird price is £165 if you sign up before November 30, 2025.After this date, the course fee is £325.We would love to make this learning available to everyone who would like to learn more about Mindful Self Compassion. If you are interested in joining but costs are an issue, please share that when you register your interest. We have a few spots for each course that we offer on a concession basis.

• Register your interest

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Meg Lyons is a personal and leadership coach who helps people to have more self-trust, self-belief, and ease. She trained as a Mindful Self Compassion teacher with the Sussex Mindfulness Centre and is excited to share the benefits of Mindful Self Compassion with others.

Natalie Sutton combines her experience in HR, organisational change, and coaching with a passion for Mindful Self Compassion. Curious about language and how people navigate change, she helps others build resilience, manage uncertainty, and cultivate self-kindness through practical, down-to-earth workshops.