Bring Self-Compassion to the Heart of Therapy

Training and support for psychotherapists integrating self-compassion into themselves and their work.

2026 Application (coming soon)2026 Upcoming Trainings (in planning)

Over the past 16 years, research has established that self-compassion is a key ingredient in mental health and psychological wellbeing.

  • Why Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy?

    Self-compassion is a key ingredient in psychological well-being and a powerful agent of therapeutic change. Over the past 16 years, research has shown that self-compassion supports emotional resilience and improves outcomes in areas such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use, and trauma recovery.


    The Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy (SCIP) program is designed to help psychotherapists integrate self-compassion directly into their clinical practice—grounded in the principles and practices of Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), and informed by neuroscience, mindfulness, and relational approaches to care.

  • Is SCIP for You?

    Self-compassion is a key ingredient in psychological well-being and a powerful agent of therapeutic change. Over the past 16 years, research has shown that self-compassion supports emotional resilience and improves outcomes in areas such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use, and trauma recovery.


    The Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy (SCIP) program is designed to help psychotherapists integrate self-compassion directly into their clinical practice—grounded in the principles and practices of Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), and informed by neuroscience, mindfulness, and relational approaches to care.

The SCIP Training Pathway

The SCIP pathway supports psychotherapists in deepening their personal and professional integration of self-compassion through a staged, experiential process.

CE credits are available for licensed clinicians. Please review individual training pages for CE approval details.

(See full list of prerequisites below)

Step 1: SCIP Learning Cohort

  • Level A: Core Training – SCIP Learning Cohort (SCIP-LC)

    This 12-week, live online training builds the foundation of being a self-compassion-informed therapist. Through experiential sessions, participants will learn to embody, speak, and apply self-compassion practices in clinical work.

    Format:

    • 12 weeks | 3 hours/week | 36 total contact hours
    • Live Online
    • CE credits available

    Cost:

    • $2595 USD – Early Bird
    • $2895 USD – Standard
    • $3195 USD – “Lend a Hand” rate to support access for others

    Outcome:
     Participants who complete Step 1 are recognized as:
    🧠 Practicing Self-Compassion Therapists

  • Program Prerequisites

    To begin the SCIP pathway:

    • You must be a licensed or supervised mental health professional OR a graduate-level student in a psychotherapy-related field
    • You must have completed a full Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program (8-week, 10-week Live Online, or 5-day Intensive)

    Note: Completion of MSC is required for participation in Step 2 and future certification.

    Link to Find our 10-week Live-Online MSC Course 

Step 2: SCIP Consultation Groups

  • Level B: Small Group Consultations

    This 10-week practicum-style series provides small-group consultation and case reflection with a focus on specific clinical populations and contexts. It includes:

    • Practice with inquiry and intervention
    • Role-play and case consultation
    • Integration of theory into clinical application
    • Continued personal practice support

    Format:

    • 10 weeks | 2 hours/week | Max 16 per group
    • Total contact hours: 20

    Cost:

    • $1295 Early Bird
    • $1495 Standard

    Topics Include:
    Anxiety · Trauma · Couples · Borderline PD · Addictions · Eating Disorders · Depression · Internal Family Systems · Teens & Youth · Racial and Social Justice


    Outcome:
    Participants who complete Steps 1 & 2 will receive a Certificate as a Self-Compassion Informed Psychotherapist (SCIP).

Step 3: Certified Self-Compassion-Based Psychotherapist (Coming 2026)

  • Level C: Professional Certification through Mentor Review

    The SCIP-C Certification is the culmination of the Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy (SCIP) training pathway. This professional credential recognizes clinicians who have deeply integrated self-compassion into their therapeutic work and demonstrated advanced clinical skill and reflective practice.

    Requirements:

    • Completion of SCIP Level A (Step 1-Learning Cohort) and Level B (Step 2-Consultation Groups)

    Portfolio Submission, including:

    • Case write-ups
    • Clinical reflections
    • Audio/video excerpts or transcripts of practice sessions
    • Eight individual supervision sessions with a certified SCIP mentor
    • Minimum of 24 client sessions where self-compassion was explicitly integrated
    • 24 brief case studies demonstrating application of SCIP principles

    Demonstrated competencies, including:

    • Recognizing and working with the inner critic
    • Establishing and maintaining therapeutic presence
    • Developing and sustaining therapeutic alliance
    • Leading self-compassion practices attuned to client needs
    • Presenting and adapting practices based on client readiness
    • Completion of a 3–5 day silent MSC retreat (in-person or online)
    • Final mentor interview and endorsement for certification

    Throughout the certification process, candidates will receive individualized guidance, feedback, and support to deepen their understanding and clinical application of self-compassion.


    Outcome:
     Clinicians who complete all requirements and receive mentor endorsement will be recognized as a Certified Self-Compassion-Based Psychotherapist (SCIP-C).

    Join Certification Interest List (coming soon) 

What You’ll Learn in SCIP

Program Topics & Clinical Applications

  • Embodying and modeling self-compassion in therapy
  • Teaching and adapting self-compassion practices for clients
  • Self-compassion through the lens of trauma-informed care
  • Research and neuroscience of compassion
  • Cultural humility and inclusive clinical application
  • Clinical use of self-compassion across modalities and diagnoses
  • Working with shame, self-criticism, and compassion fatigue
  • Navigating the risks and limitations of self-compassion in practice
  • Psychotherapy as a relational mindfulness practice
  • Ethical foundations of compassion-based care

A Supportive Learning Environment

Learning Platform & Community

All SCIP participants will have access to our online learning platform.

This SCIP Dashboard includes:

  • Access to session recordings
  • Peer forums and discussion spaces
  • Affinity groups for shared identity support
  • Ongoing faculty engagement around clinical topics

The Heart of the program

The SCIP Faculty

We created and are hosting this program with leading experts in the field worldwide, including our certified self-compassion senior teachers from The Center of Mindful Self-Compassion. The lead facilitators for our Fall 2024 Cohorts are:
• Galia Tyano Ronen
• Jorge C. Armesto
• Shari Geller
• Anna Friis

Learn More About SCIP Experts

A Call to Action

Begin Your SCIP Journey

Whether you're new to self-compassion or already exploring its power in therapy, the SCIP training pathway will help you bring more presence, compassion, and integrity into your clinical work.

Contact us

More about the Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy Program

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is SCIP and how is it different from MSC?

SCIP (Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy) is a professional development and certification pathway for mental health clinicians who want to integrate self-compassion into their therapeutic work. It builds upon the principles and practices of the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program, but focuses specifically on clinical application, case consultation, and therapist embodiment of compassion-based care.

While MSC is a structured 8-week program designed for the general public, SCIP is designed for therapists and includes clinical case work, supervision, and certification pathways.

Do I need to complete the MSC program before enrolling in SCIP?

Yes. Completion of a full MSC course (8-week, 10-week live online, or 5-day intensive) is a prerequisite for enrolling in SCIP. This ensures that participants begin with a strong personal foundation in mindfulness and self-compassion practice.

Check our our upcoming LOMSC 10-week courses here!

Who is the SCIP program for?

SCIP is for licensed or supervised mental health professionals, as well as graduate students in psychotherapy-related fields. This includes (but is not limited to):

  • Psychologists
  • Psychiatrists
  • Social workers
  • Marriage and family therapists
  • Counselors
  • Clinical interns or trainees

Participants must have active professional liability insurance and be engaged in clinical practice.

Is SCIP trauma-informed and inclusive?

Yes. The SCIP program is intentionally trauma-sensitive, grounded in relational mindfulness, and committed to inclusion. We welcome participants of all identities, backgrounds, and intersections, and offer affinity spaces to support belonging and safety within the learning environment.

How long is the SCIP program?

SCIP includes two main steps, with a third certification step launching in 2026.

  • Step 1: SCIP Learning Cohort – 12 weeks (3 hours/week)
  • Step 2: SCIP Consultations – 10 weeks (2 hours/week)
  • Step 3: Certification – Individualized timeline, includes mentorship, portfolio review, and retreat

Are CE credits available?

Yes. CE credits are available for most licensed mental health professionals for Step 1. Please refer to individual course pages for details on CE approval.

Will sessions be recorded? What’s the attendance policy?

All live sessions are NOT recorded. Learning happens online in-person. Live attendance at at least 80% of sessions is required to receive full credit or certification. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Do I need to complete Steps 1 and 2 to pursue certification (Step 3)?

Yes. Completion of both the Learning Cohort and Consultation Groups is required before applying for certification. Certification also requires additional mentorship sessions, clinical casework, and a silent MSC retreat.

Can I take just one part of the SCIP program (e.g., just the training or just consultations)?

Yes. While Steps 1 and 2 are designed as a complete pathway, each can be taken independently if you're not pursuing certification. However, Step 1 is required before joining consultations, and both are required for certification.

What if I’ve already taken SCIP in a previous format (e.g., SCIP 1.0, 2.0, 3.0)?

This is great! You may be eligible to apply for certification without retaking the full program. We will review prior participation, portfolio development, and supervision hours to determine next steps. Reach out to our team to explore your eligibility.

Is there financial assistance available?

Yes. We offer tiered pricing (including “Lend a Hand” and “Supported” rates) and some limited scholarships to support accessibility. We aim to make SCIP available to clinicians from diverse backgrounds and financial circumstances.

How do I apply for SCIP or SCIP Certification?

Applications for Step 1 (Learning Cohort) open each year and are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications for certification (Step 3) will open in 2026.

👉 [Link to current application form]-coming soon
👉 [Join the certification interest list]-coming soon

Current SCIP Offerings Open for Registration

These offerings require pre-approval for purchase, if you have received approval please purchase below.