Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC)

An evidence-based 8-week live online course | 16 June - 4 August 2025

Does this sound familiar?

  • Do you motivate yourself through harsh self-criticism, believing that being kind to yourself would lead to complacency or reduced performance?

  • Does your inner critic work overtime, demanding perfection and dismissing achievements as "just doing your job"?

  • Have you noticed your stress response intensifying, with minor setbacks triggering disproportionate anxiety or frustration?

  • Do you ruminate over mistakes long after they've occurred, replaying scenarios and second-guessing decisions?

  • Have you developed a pattern of postponing self-care until you "earn it" through exceptional performance, creating a cycle of burnout?

If this resonated, this course is for you.

Who is this course for?

This science-backed 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion programme developed by Dr Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer is specifically designed for individuals who:

  • Navigate complex professional environments requiring constant decision-making and emotional regulation

  • Experience the burnout that comes from continuous high-stress performance demands

  • Hold leadership or managerial responsibilities that require emotional resilience

  • Work in humanitarian, healthcare, emergency response, or other high-impact fields

  • Need evidence-based tools to maintain performance while preventing compassion fatigue

  • Are seeking professional development that enhances both workplace effectiveness and personal wellbeing and self-care

  • This course is especially beneficial for humanitarian workers, executives, managers, healthcare providers, educators or any professionals operating in high-pressure environments

Professional Development with Measurable Impact:

This MSC certification course delivers concrete professional benefits:

  • Enhanced Resilience Capacity:

    Develop robust emotional regulation skills for high-stress situations and decision-making under pressure

  • Improved Leadership Presence:

    Cultivate balanced self-awareness that translates to more effective team interactions and communication

  • Sustainable Performance:

    Replace counterproductive self-criticism with evidence-based motivational strategies that prevent burnout

  • Advanced Emotional Intelligence:

    Gain tools to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics in professional settings

  • Strategic Self-Management:

    Implement practical mindfulness and self-care techniques that fit into demanding schedules

Current Professional Reality:

Your work environment demands consistent high performance while navigating complex emotional terrain. Despite your expertise, you may experience:

  • Decision fatigue and diminished cognitive capacity after prolonged stress

  • Communication challenges during high-pressure situations

  • Difficulty maintaining work-life boundaries, leading to decreased effectiveness

  • Performance anxiety that interferes with your professional confidence

  • Reduced capacity to lead or support others when your own resources are depleted

After MSC Implementation:

Research demonstrates that professionals who integrate self-compassion practices experience:

  • Performance stability based on evidence-based self-regulation rather than self-criticism

  • Maintained cognitive performance under pressure with less energy expenditure

  • Enhanced conflict resolution abilities and stakeholder communication

  • Improved boundary-setting that preserves professional effectiveness

  • Greater leadership effectiveness through replenished emotional resources

The Science of Self-Compassion

The Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) methodology is grounded in peer-reviewed research particularly relevant to high-performance professionals:

  • Decision-Making Under Pressure: Self-compassion practices have been shown to maintain executive function during stress, preserving decision quality when stakes are highest (Hiraoka et al., 2015)

  • Burnout Prevention: Data demonstrates that self-compassion significantly reduces professional burnout in high-stress fields including healthcare, humanitarian work, and leadership positions (Wren et al., 2012)

  • Leadership Effectiveness: Studies show self-compassionate leaders demonstrate higher emotional intelligence, better conflict resolution skills, and more effective team management (Neff & Beretvas, 2013)

  • Sustainable Performance: Research confirms self-compassion practices create more sustainable performance curves compared to self-criticism-based motivation (Breines & Chen, 2012)

What’s Included in This Course?

  • Eight 2.5-hour live interactive sessions via Zoom blending topic instruction/theory, guided meditation and mindfulness practices, interactive exercises, reflective writing, and supportive discussions (participate at your comfort level—share deeply or simply absorb)

  • The course covers a range of topics, including for example Mindfulness, Self-Kindness, Self-criticism and Shame, Core Values and Purpose, Meeting Difficult Emotions and Exploring Challenging Relationships and Conflict through practical exercises and skill development

  • Integration Workshop: One 3-hour focused retreat for comprehensive skill integration

  • Applied Practice Resources: Weekly practical take-home exercises and guided practices shared to your inbox

  • Flexible Implementation: All sessions recorded for review within your schedule constraints

  • Professional Learning Community: Engage with peers facing similar challenges across diverse fields

  • Certification of Completion: Formal recognition of your specialized training (approved by the US-based Center for Mindful Self-Compassion (CMSC))

Schedule: Mondays, June 16 - August 4, 2025, 17:00-19:30 CET (10:00-12:30 US Central, 11:00-13:30 US Eastern)

Integration Workshop: Sunday, July 20, 2025 (16:00-19:00 CET)

Your MSC Facilitators:

  • Molly Weiss (she/her)

    Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Therapist, and MSC Teacher-in-Training through the Center of Mindful Self-Compassion (CMSC). Molly brings specialized expertise in applying self-compassion principles to anxiety, depression, and trauma responses in professional contexts.

  • Sini Ramo (she/her)

    Yoga Alliance -certified yoga instructor (RYT-500), meditation teacher, and solution-oriented coach (LCAF) specializing in humanitarian settings. As a Gender and Inclusion Specialist with extensive field experience in conflict settings, Sini brings practical applications of self-compassion techniques to challenging operational environments.

Course fee:

Early Registration (Before April 28, 2025):

€495 (inclusive of 25.5% VAT)

Standard Registration:

€595 (inclusive of 25.5% VAT)

Payment Options:

  • Corporate invoicing available

  • Interest-free installment plans

  • Professional development allocation eligible

Satisfaction Guarantee: Full refund available if you determine after the first session that the program doesn't meet your professional development needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I've never done mindfulness or something like this before - is this course suitable for beginners?

A: Absolutely! This course is designed for all levels, and you don’t need to have a prior mindfulness or self-compassion practice or knowledge of these topics.

Q: How much time do I need to allocate for this course?

A: The core commitment is attending the weekly 2.5-hour live sessions. While this is the minimum requirement, the real magic happens when you incorporate brief daily practices into your life between sessions. Even 5-10 minutes of practice on most days can create meaningful shifts in how you relate to yourself.

Q: I struggle with consistency. How can I make sure this doesn't become just another obligation in my busy life?

A: This is exactly why the course is designed the way it is! We focus on simple, practical techniques that integrate into real life - not ideal, perfect life. The supportive community environment helps maintain motivation, and many participants find these practices so immediately beneficial that they naturally want to continue. That said, if you genuinely cannot set aside 2.5 hours weekly right now, it might be better to join a future course when you can fully participate.

Q: What if I miss a session?

A: Life happens! All sessions are recorded, so you can catch up on anything you miss. We recommend attending live whenever possible for the full interactive experience, but the recordings ensure you won't miss any content. To get the Certificate of Completion in the end, you will have to have attended a minimum of 6 of the 8 live sessions.

Q: When are the live sessions?

A: The live sessions are on Zoom every Monday, starting 16 June and ending 4 August, for 2.5 hours each time. The session start time is 5 pm CET (6 pm Finland, 8 am US Pacific Time, 10 am US Eastern time - convert to your timezone HERE).

The live online 3-hour retreat takes place on Sunday 20 July at 4 pm CET (5 pm Finland).

Q: Is this therapy? How is it different?

A: While many find this course therapeutically beneficial and while Molly is a therapist, it's not therapy. Mindful Self-Compassion is an educational program teaching specific skills that complement therapy. Many therapists actually recommend this course to their clients! If you're currently in therapy, this course can work wonderfully alongside your therapeutic work.

Q: Will I have to share personal things during group discussions?

A: Never. You always control how much or how little you share. Many participants find value in listening to others' experiences, and sharing is always optional. We create a safe, respectful environment where everyone's boundaries are honored.

Q: What makes this different from reading books or using apps about self-compassion?

A: The live, interactive format creates a depth of learning that's difficult to achieve alone. You'll receive direct guidance, personalized feedback, and the powerful motivation of practicing alongside others. The community aspect often becomes one of the most treasured parts of the experience, creating connections and insights that solo learning simply can't provide. This course is the official science-backed and evidence-based course developed by self-compassion pioneers Dr Kristin Neff and Dr Christopher Germer.

Q: I'm worried self-compassion might make me complacent, lazy, selfish or less motivated. Is that true?

A: This is a common concern, but research shows the opposite is true! Self-compassion actually leads to greater resilience, motivation, and personal accountability than self-criticism. You'll learn how kindness toward yourself creates the emotional safety needed for genuine growth and positive change (for yourself and people around you!)

Q: How long will I have access to the course materials?

A: You'll have access to all recordings and materials for 3 months after the course concludes, giving you plenty of time to revisit sessions and reinforce your learning.

Q: How does this differ from executive coaching or leadership training?

A: Unlike typical leadership training that focuses primarily on external skills, MSC develops the internal resources that make sustained high performance possible. Many professionals find it complements and enhances the effectiveness of their existing leadership development.

Q: Can my organization enroll multiple team members?

A: Yes, we offer organizational rates for teams. The shared experience often creates valuable common language and practices that enhance team resilience and communication.