It was Carl Jung who suggested that our aim in life was not to be good or bad but to be Whole. We often live fragmented lives and can be adversarial to the parts of us we have been accustomed to disliking. But if we are to grow, we need to integrate more fully these exiled parts. An effective way to do this is via self compassionately relating to them, developing and practicing conscious compassion.
This workshop introduces participants to a range of evidence-informed techniques, psychological insights and interventions drawn from compassion- and mindfulness-based approaches. Participants will explore practical, adaptable tools that can be integrated into therapeutic practice to support clients (and themselves) experiencing pain, distress or struggle.
Research suggests that self-compassion is associated with greater resilience to stress, improved wellbeing, reduced self-criticism, and may support psychological recovery. It may also help reduce burnout and compassion fatigue among helping professionals.
The day will blend teaching, guided practice, and discussion. We begin with mindfulness meditation to settle the mind and explore different perspectives on the nature of the mind, before moving into practices that cultivate self-compassion and compassion for others. You will have the opportunity to explore casework through a compassion-focused lens and will leave with a specially designed compassion framework for your therapeutic practice, plus a comprehensive library of background reading materials (provided via Google Drive).
The workshop will explore a range of contemplative and philosophical perspectives that have informed compassion-based approaches in counselling and psychotherapy, including:
• What’s going on with the world?
• Compassion as an adjunct and lifelong practice
• Nature of mind 1: The snow globe
• Mindfulness as an essential element of compassion
• Nature of mind 2: Thoughts…
• What is compassion / self-compassion?
• Compassion and self-esteem
• The two psychologies
• The Sutra of the Second Arrow
• The self-critic
• Eckhart Tolle’s Pain Body
• The lotus in the mud
• Idiot compassion: why compassion is not enough
• Ken Wilber – Waking Up and Growing Up
• Iain McGilchrist and “the divided brain”
• The three circles
• The unholy trinity
• Experiencing the self-critic
• “The unhappy donut”
• Embodiment as an essential element
• Mindfulness: settling, grounding, resting
• Compassionate friend
• Compassion flowing in
• The self-compassion break
• Compassionate letter writing
• Loving Kindness (compassion flowing out)
• Tonglen (a traditional Tibetan Buddhist compassion meditation)
Who is this workshop for?
• Therapists, counsellors, coaches, mental health and medical professionals
• Those working in caring roles (NHS staff, teachers, social workers, foster carers, charity workers, grief and bereavement counsellors, etc.)
The workshop draws on the work of:
Jon Kabat-Zinn, Rob Nairn, Paul Gilbert, Tara Brach, Reginald Ray, Iain McGilchrist, Ken Wilber, Kristin Neff, and Germer, Siegel & Fulton.
This workshop is facilitated by Graeme Armstrong and provides 6 hours of CPD.
The course will be run in person from Jesmond Therapy Centre and is not available online.
This workshop is provided for continuing professional development (CPD) and does not confer accreditation or certification in any therapeutic modality. Participants are responsible for applying any learning within the limits of their own training, competence and professional ethical framework. Any clinical material or case examples discussed must be appropriately anonymised and shared in accordance with professional confidentiality obligations.
Jesmond Therapy Centre provides the venue and administrative support; the content, materials and delivery are provided by the facilitator and reflect their professional approach and clinical framework.
Click here to view our CPD Booking Terms and Conditions.
Please note, the room in which we hold our courses is on the first floor and is accessed by stairs. If you have any special requirements, or if you need to advise us of anything before booking or attending the course, then please contact us.
Pay only £103.50 (Normal Price £115.00)
Enter Code ‘Compassion26’ at checkout
Early Bird Offer expires on 16th October 2026
* Early Bird Discount
Discounted courses are available for personal & individual bookings only and do not apply to bookings made by and paid for by employers
Graeme has been a therapist since 1998. Originally trained in the person centred approach he then continued his training with Relate in Rugby using psychodynamic and behavioural approaches to counsel couples in their relationships.
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This workshop introduces participants to a range of evidence-informed techniques, psychological insights and interventions drawn from compassion- and mindfulness-based approaches
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A 3 weekend CPD course created specifically for trained and experienced therapists, seeking to add the theory and knowledge of relationship and couple counselling to their existing skill set. The 2025 programme has been updated and includes new material.
Pay only £103.50 (Normal Price £115.00)
Enter Code ‘Compassion26’ at checkout
Early Bird Offer expires on 16th October 2026
* Early Bird Discount
Discounted courses are available for personal & individual bookings only and do not apply to bookings made by and paid for by employers
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Please Note: This is for people who are interested in our training courses only.
When we speak with you, if you go ahead in booking an appointment with one of our therapists, payment for your first session will be collected in advance on confirmation of your booking.
