CMT is an 8-week skills-based course, developed by Drs Chris Irons and Charlie Heriot-Maitland, drawing on the Compassion Focused Therapy approach developed by Professor Paul Gilbert. The skills you’ll develop will help you manage your own distress by responding to yourself with more kindness and less self-criticism. 

The course will give you practical tools to work with difficult feelings such as anger, anxiety and shame, and to respond to yourself with more kindness when they show up. It is designed for personal development rather than professional training, so it isn’t accredited for continual professional development (CPD).  You will receive a certificate of attendance at the end if you attend at least 6 of the 8 sessions.  

Anyone who wants to be kinder to themselves, ease self-criticism, or cope better with feelings like anger, anxiety and shame. 

No. Everything is introduced gently and step by step and you can adapt any exercise to suit you. 

The sessions will be a blend of learning about our tricky brains and how compassion can help, alongside experiential mindfulness-style practices and visualisations. As a group we’ll reflect on these exercises with optional sharing. You'll also be sent supporting audios and reading material for independent practice between sessions. 

As this is not group therapy - only what you feel comfortable to. Sharing reflections of the exercises enhances group learning, but sharing personal experiences is not mandatory and should always keep your personal wellbeing and that of the group in mind.

Yes. What is said in the group stays in the group. For you, that means not repeating identifying stories or personal details about other group members outside the sessions. For Charlotte, it means she won't share anything you tell her with anyone else, with the exception of the following: 

• If she is concerned that you or someone else is at risk of serious harm. 

• If there's a safeguarding concern about a child or vulnerable adult. 

• If she is legally required to disclose information, for example by a court order. 

Charlotte also discusses her group work in clinical supervision, as required by her professional registration. This is done without identifying anyone. If she ever needed to break confidentiality, she would aim to talk to you first wherever it's safe and possible to do so. 

It's a small group of around 7-12 people, so there's space to be heard. It runs on Zoom for 8 weeks.

Some people find that turning towards self-compassion brings up feelings. The pace is gentle, you can step back from any exercise and Charlotte is available to talk if something comes up. She will be keeping an eye on everybody and may check in with you after a session if she feels you needed support. We also encourage everyone signing up to identify someone in their life that they could get contact for support whilst engaging on the course, should they need to.

Life happens and we understand the unpredictability of the industry. In order to complete the course, we ask that everyone attends 6 out of the 8 sessions and it is mandatory to attend the first one. So, you’re able to miss two and catch up in your own time with the reading material and audio recordings.*

*Audio recordings are made of the exercises only and not the full session itself

Yes. Payment plans are available and there are a limited amount of scholarship places offered at our discretion. Please email info@applauseforthought.co.uk if you are interested in a scholarship place or setting up a payment plan.

As the course will be online, ensure you can join from a suitable device with WiFi somewhere comfortable and private. Otherwise just bring yourself and a notebook if you like. We’ll take comfort breaks during the session to have a stretch and get a drink etc. 

Yes, you can book for up to 12 people - make sure to fill in each attendee’s details upon booking.

If you are interested in booking a private Compassionate Mind Training with us for up to 12 people, please email info@applauseforthought.co.uk.

If you feel you need more support after an individual session or the course itself, please do get in touch with Charlotte directly or reach out to us at info@applauseforthought.co.uk

Other support options:

Visit our Resources Section

Visit our Practitioner Directory

We are able to offer full refunds for cancellations made up to 3 weeks before the course start date. If you need to cancel within 3 weeks of the course start date, please reach out to us on info@applauseforthought.co.uk to discuss options.