Mindful Self Compassion (MSC)
courses
5-Day Mindful Self Compassion Intensive with Chris Germer (co-founder of the MSC course)
Dates: 13th - 18th October 2026
Venue: Elspeet, The Netherlands
Teachers: Chris Germer & Mila de Koning (Elle & Claire will be mentors)
To find out more visit the Self-Compassion Academy's website.
Do you give yourself a hard time when you feel you’ve made a mistake?
Are you much harder on yourself than you ever would be to a good friend?
Do you find it hard to cope with difficult emotions like anger, shame and fear?
If this feels like it describes you, you are not alone. Thankfully the highly evidenced based Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) course developed by Dr Kristin Neff & Dr Chris Germer can help to change this.
What is Self-Compassion?
It is simply the process of turning the compassion we easily and instinctively have towards others, inward toward ourselves. We know from the research that this means we end up taking better care of ourselves and can improve our ability to navigate difficult situations.
This process supports emotional regulation systems by allowing people to stay with difficult experiences without being overwhelmed. Research shows that self-compassion is linked to less depression, anxiety and stress, as well as increased levels of psychological wellbeing, life satisfaction and happiness.
The Course will teach you
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how to stop being so hard on yourself
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how to handle difficult emotions with greater ease
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how to motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism
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how to transform challenging relationships, both old and new
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the theory and research behind mindful self-compassion
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mindful self-compassion practices for daily life
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how to support yourself while caring for others
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how to become your own best teacher
What does the course involve?
This course can either be taught in an intensive format over 5 days or over an 8-week period with sessions once a week for 2.75 hours, including a half day retreat of guided practices in-between sessions 5 and 6.
This is a mindfulness and self-compassion resource building course. During the course you will be invited to experience guided meditations, short talks, experiential exercises, group discussions and practices to try at home in between sessions.
We recommend you buy the Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer, the developers of the programme, so that you can read more in-depth about what you will be learning.
Once you have registered your interest in the MSC course via the booking process, you will be offered a phone call to discuss in more depth so that you can be sure the course is right for you.
Is the course for me?
You may think that showing compassion towards yourself is too uncomfortable, or that motivating yourself harshly is the only thing that works. However, the skill of self-compassion can be learned by anyone. This course is suitable for people wishing to support themselves with more energy and resources to get through life’s inevitable challenges with more grace and steadiness.
As part of the booking process, we will ask you about your physical and emotional health. Although the course teaches how to respond to emotional challenges, if you are currently going through a stressful experience (recent bereavement, divorce, health changes, redundancy, etc) it would be advisable to wait until the life stressor has stabilised before beginning this programme.
The 5-Day Mindful Self-Compassion Intensive in October 2026 is being offered by the Self-Compassion Academy. You can find out more and book your place by visiting their website here.
How do I book a place on the course?