2026 Compassionate Leadership Teacher Training
Opening In-person Retreat April 28 – May 1, 2026 in London
Intensive 8-Month Program Includes Online Sessions + Practicum
Save $800 – Super Early Bird Discount thru November 30!
Are you feeling the call to lead with heart and humanity during these unprecedented times? What will it take to reimagine outdated, unsustainable systems that are breaking apart right in front of us?
If you are passionate and ready to lead this movement, join us to become an Accredited Compassionate Leadership Teacher for our renowned Compassionate Leadership Certification Training program. Learn the evidence-based tools, practices, and principles that will equip you to train and inspire leaders and changemakers to create lasting shifts. It’s time to bring our innate wisdom and the power of compassion to the forefront of leadership so that individuals, organizations, and systems can thrive.
What You’ll Experience
A powerful co-learning journey to deepen your understanding of the science of compassion, proven leadership development practices, and the integration of the two to create more effective teams and work environments.
A supportive and engaged community of committed compassionate leaders bringing change to organizations, promoting employee flourishing and creating a better world.
A concrete, evidence-based framework for architecting organizational compassion competence to shape the roles, routines, culture and networks that create a more successful organization.
Practices to deepen personal compassion and leadership capacities – both for yourself and those you teach and lead.
A foundation of self-compassion to lead yourself and others with greater ease and authenticity.
Shown above: Accredited Teachers and Faculty from our most recent Compassionate Leadership Teacher Training program. Click here to meet them.
What You’ll Learn
How to facilitate the Compassionate Leadership Certification Training program, a modular 12-hour, research-based training proven to grow self-compassion, compassion for others, compassion at work, and compassion for the greater good.
A deep dive into a compassionate and human-centered approach to creating positive change in organizational contexts. You will learn to embody and teach deeper awareness and compassion and apply it at an individual and organizational level. This includes skills for creating psychological safety, fostering compassionate communication, building environments of deep belonging, and strategies for changing systems for the benefit of all.
How to respond to real world obstacles and challenges that keep individuals and organizations stuck in outmoded forms of leadership. Learn how to build a compelling case to inspire leaders and organizations to adopt compassionate principles and practices in alignment with the organization’s mission.
Grounding in the fundamentals of scientific research relevant to compassionate leadership, including important findings from psychology, neuroscience, and organizational behavior.
Research-based structures & approaches to creating cultures that are both compassionate and effective.
How to create environments of safety, connection, and belonging in your courses and in leadership.
Tools and practices for leading compassionately that you can teach others and use in your own life.
2024 Teacher Training opening retreat at Four Acres Centre for Leadership in London.
Is Our Compassionate Leadership Teacher Training Right For You?
You yearn to have more impact as a champion of compassion that sparks lasting and meaningful change. You are deeply moved to bring solutions in response to widespread suffering and to remove the systemic causes of the suffering all around us. You know in your heart that compassion is the means to lead humanity forward from a world of competition and conflict to one of understanding, cooperation, equity, and justice.
This Compassionate Leadership Teacher Training is for organizational learning and development and human resources professionals, leadership consultants and coaches, academics, as well as leaders who want to create thriving organizations characterized by safety, connection, and belonging. You will be empowered with research-backed principles, tools, skills, expert resources, and community to confidently foster transformation in whatever organizational context you choose to support.
Would a conversation with Laura Berland or Evan Harrel, co-founders of the Center for Compassionate Leadership and lead faculty of the Teacher Training, be helpful in deciding whether this training is right for you? Click here to schedule a call.
Watch the video above to discover what Accredited Compassionate Leadership Teacher Gabriela Jones loves about our Compassionate Leadership Certification Training…
Proven Results Backed by Research
You will learn to share the specific curriculum of the Compassionate Leadership Certification Training that 90% of alumni said that they would recommend to their friends and colleagues. Over 70% of alumni interviewed said that they had seen changes in their organization as a result of this compassionate leadership training.
The Center for Compassionate Leadership completed an 18-month longitudinal study of the curriculum by world-class educational evaluators at Claremont Graduate University. They found that participants showed statistically significant increases in:
Self-compassion
Compassion for others
Compassion at work
Resilience
In addition, research insights uncovered both facilitators of and barriers to organizational compassion. How and where can leaders create impact and lasting change? What are the principles, practices and tools that support shifts in organizational culture and leadership? As part of the Compassionate Leadership Teacher Training cohort, you’ll learn how to successfully apply these important new insights and data to transform organizational and leadership settings.
"Being a part of the Compassionate Leadership Certification Training program has been life changing in that I found a space of like people who wished to grow and change the world for the better. Compassionate Leadership and the curriculum of the Center for Compassionate Leadership is an evidenced based way to shift organizational culture through connection and has helped me connect more deeply with the members of my organization, our partner organizations and the broader community. A must for all leaders!"
Program Description
The Compassionate Leadership Teacher Training is 8 months in duration, consisting of two phases: Learning & Practice, and Teaching Practicum.
Learning & Practice Phase (5 months)
The 3-day, in-person Opening Retreat
April 28 – May 1, London, UK
5 months of live online training sessions, including
9 full cohort sessions to explore concepts and practices through experiential exercises, lecture, group discussion, and small breakouts
7 teaching pod small group sessions to practice teaching and to give and receive feedback
Membership in a close-knit, supportive community of peers on this journey to bring more compassion into leadership
Readings and videos to build your familiarity with evidence-based concepts and research
Special live guest faculty bonus sessions, including Q&A
Fieldwork assignments with tools to practice compassionate leadership principles in your personal and professional life
Daily contemplative practices to deepen your embodiment of awareness and compassionate leadership
Teaching Practicum Phase (3 months)
Teach a full Compassionate Leadership 12-hour training practicum with an audience of your choice
Coaching and supervision from teacher training faculty and mentors to strengthen and sharpen your teaching skills
Certification conferred upon successful completion of the Practicum Phase
Extensive Resources and Support
Access to validated curriculum and presentation materials
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Monthly teacher meetings after the Learning and Practice Phase
Marketing materials and email templates
Pre- and post-program survey instrument
Library of practices, including audio recordings and transcripts
Research bibliographies
Video library of prior public cohorts taught by Lead Faculty
“Enrolling in and participating in this Certification program has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding decisions of my life. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow, and be surrounded by such kind and inspiring faculty and peers. This experience has not only deepened my understanding of compassionate leadership but has also touched my heart in ways I never expected. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of this journey, and I truly appreciate all the support, wisdom, and kindness shared along the way. Thank you for making this experience so enriching and transformative.”
Compassionate Leadership Teacher Training Faculty
To learn more about faculty for this training, please click on the photos below.
Compassionate Leadership Certified Teachers Network
Upon certification, you’ll officially join the Compassionate Leadership Certified Teacher Network for ongoing support and promotion
Name, bio, and contact information listed on CFCL website
Monthly Teacher’s Council meetings for teaching support, continued mentorship, and peer inspiration
Private Accredited Compassionate Leadership Certified Teacher’s online community
Use of Compassionate Leadership Certification Training program slides and resources for teaching your courses
Use of Center for Compassionate Leadership pre- and post-program surveys to report effectiveness to clients
Certificates of Completion granted through the Center for Compassionate Leadership for participants in your training programs
Ongoing support from CFCL faculty and mentors for questions on programs and teaching
Opportunity for collaborative research within your organization or sector
Opportunity for featuring case studies where you have spearheaded change
Your program participants become eligible to join the Center for Compassionate Leadership Alumni network (monthly live online gatherings, private LinkedIn group)
Admission Requirements
Required:
Experience leading, teaching, or facilitating groups
Deep commitment to building a world of safety, connection, and belonging through compassionate leadership
Prior completion of a public Compassionate Leadership Certification Training or organizational training program
Regular personal contemplative practice
Lived experience working in an organizational setting as a leader or contributor
Valued Experience (not required):
Previous training in compassion practices from courses or retreats (e.g. CCT, MSC, CBCT, meditation training and retreats)
Certification as a teacher/facilitator in other leadership and/or awareness-based programs (e.g. SIY, MBSR, CCT, MSC, CBCT)
Coaching certification (e.g. ICF, EMCC)
Lead Faculty Monica Worline discussing the tools of Social Architecture with Accredited Teacher Irene Chan to support healthcare in Singapore.
Certification Requirements
Attendance at all Learning & Practice Phase sessions. Participants may miss up to three live modules and still meet the attendance requirement by completing make-up work.
Demonstration of readiness in all areas of the Compassionate Leadership Teacher Competency Model:
Conceptual Clarity
Helping Participants Apply Learning
Leading Exercises and Meditations
Creating a Container of Connection
Embodying Connection and Compassion
Completion of Practicum Phase, including teaching a full 12-hour course and attendance at mentoring sessions.
“After studying compassion fatigue and burnout in the field of education for several years, I felt compelled to look for solutions to this complex problem. I found the Compassionate Leadership training course, and as I learned more from Evan and Laura, quickly realized that schools need compassionate leaders. I joined their inaugural teacher training cohort to address suffering in education. I can't overemphasize how important compassionate leadership is to creating safe and caring schools for children, youth, and the adults who work with them.”
Tuition Investment
Total tuition for the program is regularly $4,750 USD. Through November 30, tuition is $3,950 USD, a savings of $800 during the Super Early Bird period.
Tuition covers the entire 8-month Compassionate Leadership Teacher Training program, beginning with the 3-day in-person Opening Retreat, 5-month Learning & Practice Phase with your practice teaching pod, and the 3-month Practicum Phase with guidance, supervision and coaching. Tuition also includes access to all curriculum materials, presentations, practices, marketing materials and email templates, research, and bibliographies.
Retreat Fees
Program participants will be responsible for the room and board charges of $1,375 USD for the 3-day Opening Retreat at Four Acres Centre of Leadership in London. This includes all meals from dinner April 28 through lunch May 1, snacks, coffee and tea throughout each day, and use of the grounds and facilities at Four Acres.
Participants are also responsible for their personal travel arrangements to and from London. You can learn more about our retreat location at Four Acres here.
Payment
Upon acceptance to the program, you will be billed 1/3 the tuition fee, $1,320 USD.
The second payment of $1,320 will be due January 31, 2026.
The final payment of $1,310 will be due March 20, 2026.
You are welcome to pay the full tuition in advance at any time.
Payment for the Retreat Fees is due in full by March 20, 2026.
Scholarships
A limited number of partial scholarships are available for qualified applicants to bring compassionate leadership where it is so needed in the world. To apply for a scholarship, please fill out the Scholarship Application here. If you require additional information please contact Abri Holden at cfclteachertraining@gmail.com.
Still Have Questions?
If you’d like more information or have additional questions, please contact Abri Holden at cfclteachertraining@gmail.com.
We welcome you to schedule a conversation with Laura Berland or Evan Harrel, co-founders of the Center for Compassionate Leadership, to discuss your interest in the program and whether it’s a good fit for you? Click here to schedule.
“This was my first experience with a comprehensive teacher training program, and I found it to be very thorough. The initial face-to-face retreat provided an excellent opportunity to meet the global cohort and truly embody the principles of compassionate leadership. After the three days, I felt fully committed and invigorated to engage with the program.
Over the next 18 weeks, the alternating schedule—recapping each module one week, followed by practising in teaching pods the next—offered a gradual and effective way to deeply understand the content and make it your own. Practising teaching within the pods was invaluable for building confidence.
The final stage involved delivering an eight-module course with a partner. This phase allowed me to step out independently while reinforcing the learnings from the earlier stages. It provided a safe and supportive environment to grow and refine my skills.
Across these three stages, spanning nine months, I gained a deeper understanding of the program’s structure and content while managing it alongside my day job and other commitments. What I appreciate most about the Compassionate Leadership Certification Training is how it integrates familiar concepts—such as psychological safety and advanced listening skills—into a cohesive and actionable framework.
The program’s “golden thread” is its focus on authenticity. It’s not just about understanding or checking boxes; it’s about genuinely believing, living, and practising these principles daily—even for those teaching them.
I am excited to share this content with current and future leaders, fostering greater compassion in workplaces. By embedding this approach, I hope to contribute to reducing physical and mental health challenges in the workforce of the future.”
