What is Fierce Self-Compassion?
Explore the balance between tenderness and assertiveness in self-compassion
to meet life's challenges head-on.
What Can I Learn in a Fierce Self-Compassion Course?
A Fierce Self-Compassion course focuses on developing the assertive and action-oriented side of compassion, enabling participants to harness the totality of compassionate energy. This course guides you beyond nurturing self-kindness to cultivate the courage needed to protect, provide for, and motivate yourself toward positive change. By emphasizing the fierce aspect, the course deepens your understanding of self-compassion, empowering you to set boundaries, address harmful behaviors, and reclaim your inner strength. You'll learn how to balance tender self-compassion with its fierce counterpart, developing a more comprehensive toolkit for self-care and personal growth. Ultimately, you'll emerge with a more robust, well-rounded approach to self-compassion that encompasses both nurturing and empowering aspects.
What are the Benefits of a Fierce Self-Compassion?
While each student's experience is unique, the published research has shown changes like these are common.
- Empowerment: Learn to use self-compassion to speak up, set boundaries, and protect your well-being.
- Resilience: Build mental and emotional resilience through practices that nurture both tenderness and assertiveness.
- Personal and Professional Growth: Apply self-compassion to foster healthier relationships, enhance workplace success, and support social justice.
- Emotional Balance: Harness the power of mindfulness and self-compassion to process anger and channel it constructively.
Enroll in the Year of Compassion
Three Courses Across a Year. Join a year-long program on compassion for self and others. Three courses and a retreat, includes Mindful Self-Compassion, Fierce Self-Compassion, and Self-Compassion for Shame. Classes meet for one (1) hour weekly, providing a steady, supportive structure. Savings for the three courses purchased together range from $294 to nearly $800.
Fierce Self-Compassion is offered over 16 weeks, 1 hour per week.
Tuition: Pay-It-Forward: $747, Standard: $597, Scholarship: $497.
Course pricing is set to allow for generosity while meeting individuals needs. We encourage you to pay as much as you can afford and we appreciate your care and thoughtfulness when deciding.
Payment plans are available at checkout. See our refund policy.
All times are in EASTERN TIME (ET). Timezone converter.
Upcoming Fierce Self-Compassion Course
June 3 to September 23, 2025 - Instructor Jorge Armesto, PhD
Live Online via Zoom. Classes: Tuesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24*, July 1, 8, 15, 22*, 29, August 5, 12, 26*, September 2, 9, 16, and 23*, Note: No class August 19, Times: 6:00pm - 7:00pm ET
Optional Q&As are an opportunity to spend an additional hour after class with Jorge to answer questions you have about the course. Dates for optional Q&As are marked with * above and will be from 7:00pm - 8:00pm ET
Don't see dates/times that work for you? Join the Fierce Self-Compassion waitlist to be notified when a course is available.
What is Fierce Self-Compassion?
Standing Up for Oneself and Others
Fierce Self-Compassion, developed by Dr. Kristin Neff, aims at exploring the action-oriented side of self-compassion, often referred to as “fierce self-compassion.” Building on foundational self-compassion practices, this course takes participants deeper into the dynamic balance between tender self-compassion—nurturing and soothing oneself—and fierce self-compassion, which involves taking assertive actions to protect and advocate for oneself. The course is designed for individuals who have already engaged with self-compassion practices and are ready to strengthen their ability to face challenges with resilience, courage, and strength.
Setting and Maintaining Healthy Boundaries, Protecting Oneself from Harm, and Addressing Emotional, Physical, and Spiritual Needs
Throughout the course, participants explore the essential components of fierce self-compassion, including setting and maintaining healthy boundaries, protecting oneself from harm, and addressing personal needs—emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Unlike traditional views of self-compassion that focus solely on self-soothing and acceptance, fierce self-compassion emphasizes the importance of standing up for oneself and others, drawing boundaries, and transforming anger and frustration into productive, empowering energy. This combination of tenderness and fierceness equips participants to respond to life’s challenges with greater clarity, confidence, and compassion.
A major focus of the course is learning how to harness anger constructively. Instead of seeing anger as a negative or destructive force, participants will learn to view it as a source of motivation and strength that can be channeled to create positive change in their lives and communities. By practicing mindfulness, participants will develop the awareness to recognize when anger arises and the tools to direct it toward protecting their well-being and the well-being of others. This approach helps participants avoid the burnout and emotional exhaustion that can result from either suppressing anger or being consumed by it.
Participants will also engage in practical exercises that promote self-care, encourage self-motivation, and foster a sense of empowerment. Each session includes guided meditations, group discussions, and personal reflections, all designed to help participants apply the principles of fierce self-compassion to real-life situations. Whether it’s standing up to a difficult boss, setting boundaries in relationships, or advocating for social justice, participants will leave the course with the skills and confidence to act with both kindness and courage in challenging situations.
In addition to individual growth, the course also touches on the broader implications of fierce self-compassion for social change. By recognizing the common humanity in each of our struggles and challenges, participants are encouraged to extend their self-compassion outward, supporting advocacy efforts and promoting justice in their communities. As Dr. Neff’s research shows, fierce self-compassion can be a powerful force for personal empowerment and social transformation, offering a new model for living a more balanced, assertive, and compassionate life.
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for adults aged 18 who are interested in exploring an action-oriented application of mindful self-compassion practices. It offers a structured, practical, and easily accessible introduction suitable for newcomers, those who’ve explored mindfulness apps or books, and even seasoned practitioners. Some knowledge and experience with mindfulness and self-compassion will be helpful.
What is the Content Overview of Fierce Self-Compassion?
The Mindful Self-Compassion curriculum presented here serves as a general overview and is subject to potential modifications based on the unique needs, insights, and discussions that may arise during class.
What are the Learning Objectives and Outcomes of Fierce Self-Compassion?
- Understand how the three components of self-compassion—self-kindness, mindfulness, and common humanity—manifest in assertive actions such as protecting oneself and motivating change.
- Develop the ability to set and maintain healthy boundaries with others, as well as recognize and address personal harmful behaviors.
- Gain skills in recognizing and working through anger, using it as a constructive force for positive change.
- Cultivate the capacity to give themselves what they need—mentally, emotionally, and physically—without guilt or self-criticism.
- Learn to motivate themselves with encouragement and self-compassion rather than harsh criticism.
- Recognize how fierce self-compassion can be a tool for broader social change and activism, promoting empowerment and justice.
What is the Science and Research that informs Fierce Self-Compassion?
The Fierce Self-Compassion course draws on extensive research into self-compassion, gender dynamics, and psychological well-being. Key studies and publications supporting the course’s concepts include:
Neff, K. D. (2003). Self-Compassion: An Alternative Conceptualization of a Healthy Attitude Toward Oneself. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85-101.
This foundational paper introduces the three components of self-compassion (self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness) and explores how they contribute to psychological health.
Neff, K. D. (2021). Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive. HarperOne.
Dr. Neff’s latest book expands on her earlier work by focusing on the action-oriented, assertive side of self-compassion, particularly for women.
Terry, M. L., Leary, M. R., & Mehta, S. (2013). Self-Compassion as a Buffer Against Homesickness, Depression, and Dissatisfaction in the Transition to College. Self and Identity, 12(3), 278-290.
This study shows how self-compassion acts as a protective factor against emotional distress during major life transitions, relevant to the course’s focus on using self-compassion for protection and resilience.
Gilbert, P. (2010). Compassion Focused Therapy: Distinctive Features. Routledge.
Paul Gilbert’s work on compassion-focused therapy provides a framework for understanding how compassion, including fierce self-compassion, helps individuals confront difficult emotions and situations.
Sirois, F. M., & Hirsch, J. K. (2019). Self-Compassion and Adherence in Five Medical Samples: The Role of Stress. Mindfulness, 10(1), 46-54.
This research emphasizes the role of self-compassion in promoting adherence to healthy behaviors and reducing stress, key components of the Fierce Self-Compassion course.
These research papers and books offer a robust foundation for the course’s teachings, providing both theoretical and practical insights into the empowering potential of self-compassion.
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