Dr Anna Friis is a New-Zealand registered health psychologist and a Certified teacher of MSC. Her PhD at the University of Auckland’s Department of Psychological Medicine culminated in a randomized controlled trial of the MSC eight-week program with published results that showed improvements in both psychological and physiological outcomes. As a psychologist in private practice, Anna specialises in mindfulness and self-compassion-based therapies, and gives frequent talks and seminars on the mind-body health benefits of self-compassion. She is a devoted yoga practitioner and has taught the Mindful Self-Compassion program many times.