Format: Live-online Lecturer Led Classes (Virtual-Classroom) via Zoom

Duration: 1 Evening Every Week 6pm to 9pm

Online Live Attendance: 12 Hours

Self-Directed Learning: 18 Hours

Total CPD Credits: 30 Credits

Assessment: Written Weekly Assignments & Practices

Award: Accredited Certificate

Course Accreditation:

- Professional Development Consortium

- Provider of Excellence

- CPD Standards Office

- Irish Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (ICPA)

- Irish Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (Directory)

Course Overview:

The Mindful, Resilience & Compassion Focused Trauma Programme (MRCFTP) is a 4-week, experiential evening course designed to support emotional wellbeing, reduce stress and build inner strength in a trauma-informed way. Through guided mindfulness, resilience skills and compassion-based practices, you will learn how to steady your nervous system, meet difficult thoughts and feelings with more ease, and respond rather than react. Each week combines short teaching inputs, accessible practices and space for reflection, with simple tools to use at home and work. Suitable for adults of all backgrounds; no previous meditation experience is required, only a willingness to explore and gently practise in your daily life.

Across the four weeks, you’ll be introduced to practical ways of grounding the mind and body, understanding your stress responses, and softening the impact of the inner critic. We explore how realistic self-care, healthy boundaries and compassion can enhance resilience rather than diminish it. The programme is delivered in a supportive, non-judgemental environment, with an emphasis on safety, choice and pacing, including plenty of flexibility around how much you participate or share. You’ll receive suggested home practices between sessions to help you integrate what you learn into everyday situations, so that by the end of the programme you have a personalised toolkit to support ongoing wellbeing and emotional balance.

Course Modules:

Week 1 – Foundations: Safety, Mindfulness & the Nervous System

Module 1: Orientation, Safety & Trauma-Informed Mindfulness

Welcoming, orientation and group agreements (choice, consent, pacing)
What we mean by trauma, stress and overwhelm (normalising responses)
Introduction to mindfulness in a trauma-sensitive way
Practices:
- Arrival/orientation through the senses
- Optional short grounding and breath awareness
Between modules: Noticing what feels settling vs. activating in daily life

Module 2: The Nervous System & Window of Tolerance

Fight/flight/freeze/shutdown and the window of tolerance
How trauma impacts body, thoughts and behaviour
Why grounding and present-moment skills support safety and stability
Practices:
- Simple “pause” practice for moments of stress
- Gentle body-based awareness (with options to adapt or opt out)
Between weeks: 5–10 minute gentle grounding or orientation practice

Week 2 – Resilience: Regulation, Resources & Boundaries

Module 3: Recognising Stress & Dysregulation

Early warning signs of dysregulation (physical, emotional, cognitive)
Understanding triggers and patterns without blame or shame
Widening the window of tolerance over time
Practices:
- Paced breathing or counted breath for regulation
- Brief check-in practice: “Where am I in my window?”
Between modules: Using one regulation tool in real-life stress moments

Module 4: Resources, Grounding & Boundaries

Internal resources (strengths, values, imagery)
External resources (people, places, activities that feel safe/supportive)
Boundaries as trauma-sensitive self-care and protection
Practices:
- Grounding through the senses (e.g. 5–4–3–2–1)
- Mapping your personal supports and boundaries
Between weeks: One small self-care/boundary action to experiment with

Week 3 – Compassion: Inner Critic, Shame & Kindness

Module 5: The Inner Critic, Shame & Trauma

How trauma can fuel shame, self-blame and harsh self-talk
Recognising the inner critic: tone, themes, impact
Normalising protective strategies while exploring alternatives
Practices:
- Gentle noticing and naming of inner critical voices
- Reflection exercise on how the critic “tries to help”
Between modules: Observing inner dialogue with curiosity, not judgement

Module 6: Trauma-Sensitive Self-Compassion Practices

Myths about self-compassion (not weak, selfish or indulgent)
Compassion as a stabilising, strengthening force for the nervous system
Practices:
- Self-compassion break for difficult moments (adapted for trauma)
- Supportive friend/compassionate imagery (with options and alternatives)
Between weeks: Trying one short compassion practice in a real challenge

Week 4 – Integration: Toolkit, Practice & Next Steps

Module 7: Weaving Mindfulness, Resilience & Compassion

Reviewing key ideas and practices from previous weeks
Noticing personal shifts, challenges and what felt supportive
Integrating mindfulness, regulation and compassion in daily routines
Practices:
- Optional integrated guided practice (eyes open/closed, seated/standing options)
- Reflection: “What am I taking forward?”
Between modules: Clarifying which practices feel realistic to keep

Module 8: Your Personal Trauma-Sensitive Toolkit & Closure

Creating a sustainable, flexible personal practice plan
Identifying red flags, supports and “go-to” tools for tougher times
Exploring ongoing support options and next steps beyond the group
Practices:
- Personal toolkit exercise (grounding, regulation, compassion practices)
- Intention-setting and gentle group closing
Beyond the programme: You leave with a personalised written toolkit to support ongoing wellbeing, emotional regulation and self-compassion

Who This Course is For:

This course is ideal for individuals looking to deepen their mindfulness practice, professionals in helping roles, and anyone seeking to enhance their capacity to respond to life with greater compassion and resilience.

Mindful, Resilience & Compassion Focused Trauma Programme (MRCFTP)- (LIVE ONLINE)
30 CPD POINTS

Description

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