This 8-week Compassionate Mind Training is offered near the centre of Exeter in Devon. It is based on Compassion Focused Therapy, developed by Professor Paul Gilbert OBE. It is aimed at anyone who experiences self-criticism, shame, self-dislike or who finds it difficult to calm themselves when distressed.
8-Week Compassionate Mind Training
Monday 2nd October to 20th November 2023, 7:30-9pm
Exeter Community Centre
What is Compassion?
“…a sensitivity to the suffering of self and others, with a deep commitment to try to relieve it”
Compassion involves having an awareness of, and empathy for, suffering, while at the same time having a strong desire to alleviate it. This can be directed towards others, which often we find much easier, or it can be self-compassion. It involves qualities of warmth and kindness, but also requires wisdom and strength.
To read more about Compassionate Mind Training, please see my article on What are Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Compassionate Mind Training (CMT)?
Why do we need to develop compassion?
Many of us will be prone to self-criticism due to our past experiences in life where perhaps other people have been critical or unkind towards us. Sometimes we may think that this self-criticism is helpful, or even necessary, to motivate us to achieve what we want in life. However, often it just leaves us with a poor sense of self-esteem and/or self-worth and at greater risk of experiencing low mood and/or anxiety. Developing compassion lessens self-criticism and helps us to be more accepting of ourselves and any perceived shortcomings, which in turn can alleviate low mood and anxiety, as well as improve self-worth. It can also help ease the impact of trauma through reducing shame.
To learn more about why it’s important to develop compassion, you can view this short video of Professor Gilbert (then Doctor Gilbert) being interviewed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kF7FRy0_xs.
What are the benefits of attending Compassionate Mind Training?
Here are some of the benefits previous attendees of Compassionate Mind Training with me have reported in feedback given at the end of courses:
“There would be too many to list them all but to name a few: better quality of life, more confidence, a sense of self, contentedness, reduction of worries and feelings of safety in uncertainty.”
“a safe and reflective space…The course was very valuable, very important, and very appreciated…I had realisations about which of my emotional systems were activated and which were neglected. I received a host of tools with which to ‘meet myself’ more kindly.”
“I feel that the course has fundamentally shifted my ‘compassionate reference point’…I think it’s the beginning of a more positive journey…I feel able to tap into a more compassionate perspective much more quickly than before. I feel that I have unpicked the origins of some of my conditioned responses and that they have been learnt through experiences. I can also now start to dissect some of them and have discovered that, although initially they seem to be just one emotion, for example anger, they actually comprise a multitude of complexities and feelings.”
What does this course include?
This course includes:
- 8 (1.5 hour) sessions involving participation in a range of guided compassionate imagery practices and other exercises for developing the compassionate mind
- Exploration of experiences within the practices to provide support with any difficulties encountered
- A 20-30 minute phone or video Orientation Call before the course to discuss what it involves in more depth, what you hope to gain from it and to decide together whether the course will suit you and if this a good time for you to undertake it.
- A handout for each session detailing the key points and including any worksheets
- Guided audio recordings in electronic format so you can easily have them on your phone or any portable audio device
- Email and/or telephone support between sessions as needed
- A 20-30 minute phone or video call on completion of the course to review progress (optional)
- Lifetime access to my Compassionate Mind Development Community on Facebook where you can ask questions and receive ongoing support once the course has finished (optional)
I have attended several training events in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) taught by Professor Paul Gilbert himself and am an experienced facilitator of Compassionate Mind courses having run them since 2016.
How much does it cost to do this course?
I am committed to offering Compassionate Mind Training at an affordable rate and so I am currently trialing offering them on a partially donation basis. The minimum charge for the course is £145, which is payable at the time of booking. You will then be invited to give an additional contribution on completion of the course. The suggested additional contribution is a further £50 for those who can afford it, but the exact amount you choose to give is at your discretion. You are encouraged to give what you feel the course has been worth for you, where you can, so that this can be a sustainable initiative.
How do I book a place on the course?
You are very welcome to contact me if you have any questions or you can arrange the initial complementary phone or video Orientation Call by completing the form that the button below takes you to.
When will the next course be running?
It is hoped that it will be possible to offer another course in 2024. If you would like to be notified of dates for future courses, then please sign up to the mailing list below.