- 4 nights
- Facilitated by clinical psychologist’s and certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher’s, Kathleen Mackay and Dr Anna Friis.
- Learn skills and practices that will enhance your life &/or professional practices.
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Mindful Self-Compassion Retreat

Retreat Overview
Mindful Self-Compassion training teaches us how to develop the warm-hearted, connected presence we need during moments of difficulty. Self-compassion provides the emotional strength and resilience needed to offer us the same kindness and understanding we would offer a good friend.
With self-compassion we can motivate ourselves with encouragement, forgive ourselves when needed, face and befriend our shortcomings, care for others while caring for self, and live more authentically.
Research shows that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional well being, lower levels of anxiety and depression, healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and more satisfying personal relationships.
This program is an intensive skills training program. It is a condensed version of the eight-session, empirically supported Mindful Self-Compassion training developed by Christopher Germer and Kristin Neff.
MSC is an experiential journey – an adventure in-self discovery and self-kindness. The retreat will include meditation, short talks, experiential, practical exercises and group discussions as well as morning yoga.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the theory and research behind mindful self-compassion
- Integrate mindfulness and self-compassion skills into daily life to cultivate greater calm, clarity and peace of mind
- Respond to feelings of failure, self-criticism and inadequacy with self-kindness
- Motivate oneself with encouragement rather than self-criticism
- Practice the art of savouring and self-appreciation
- Relate to difficult emotions with greater ease
- Reduce caregiver fatigue and balance compassion for self and others
- Enhance and deepen connection with others
- Teach simple self-compassion practices to patients, students or clients
This retreat is well suited for health professionals, caregivers and anyone else who wants to develop and practice skills in mindfulness and self-compassion. No previous experience in meditation is required – all are welcome! This course can be claimed for CPD.
The Facilitators

Kathleen Mackay is a Clinical Psychologist, certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher, and former nurse with over 20 years of experience as a health professional. Kathleen is a warm and authentic group facilitator, with experience leading a range of mindfulness-based training and therapies in public, education and healthcare settings.

Dr Anna Friis is a New Zealand-registered health psychologist and a Certified teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC). She was one of the first people to be trained by Drs Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer in MSC, and has taught this powerful and transformative programme many times. As part of her commitment to the path of mindfulness and self-compassion, she recently completed a PhD through the University of Auckland creating new scientific knowledge of the mental and physical health effects of these ancient practices. She is a devoted yoga practitioner and a passionate advocate for the power of kindness. For further information, visit www.annafriis.com.
Pricing
Price starts from $1,690 per person (including GST), depending on your choice of accommodation, and covers all elements of the program, including delicious plant-based wholefood meals (some fish), snacks, teas, dandelion coffee, handbook and course fees.
Please note: financial members receive 5% discount on second and subsequent retreat bookings.
Optional extras include transport, massage therapies and purchases from our resource centre.
Enquiries and Bookings
If you have any further queries regarding the program content you are encouraged to contact Kathleen Cator:
Kathleen Cator, Metta Health & Psychology
kathleenc@mettahp.com.au OR 0412 441 018
If you have any further queries regarding the venue, payment, transport etc. please contact the Yarra Valley Living Centre, using the enquiry form below or by calling 1300 651 211: