Fierce Self-Compassion 8 Week Course (Online, September 13 – November 1, 2025)
This unique 8-week course based upon the research of Dr. Kristin Neff explores the action-oriented side of self-compassion that begins with the inner work of fierce self-compassion. Prior experience with self-compassion is recommended before taking this course. This course will take you one step further as you learn how self-compassion can help you speak up and claim your power. ✊
About The Course:
To be truly self-compassionate—to return to our original wholeness—we must integrate both forms of self-compassion, the fierce and the tender. When we are tender but not fierce, we can become complacent or helpless; when we are fierce but not tender, we can become hostile or selfish.
Like a tree with a strong trunk and flexible branches, we need to show our strength while embracing others as part of a connected whole. We need love in our hearts to avoid constantly causing harm, but we also need strength in our core to protect ourselves from harm.
Fierce Self-Compassion Includes:
- Taking action in the world to protect, provide, and motivate ourselves to reduce stress and promote well-being.
- Being able to say “no” to others who are hurting us, beginning to draw our boundaries firmly.
- Saying “no” to our own harmful behaviors, so that we can be safe and healthy.
- Giving ourselves what we genuinely need — mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Course Objectives:
- Describe how the three key components of self-compassion manifest when protecting ourselves, providing for our needs, and motivating change
- Begin to recognize and transcend the blocks to drawing effective boundaries
- Learn to work with and harness your anger as a constructive support
- Identify personal needs and discuss how you can meet them with self-compassion
- Develop skills to motivate yourself with encouragement rather than criticism
- Understand how fierce self-compassion can be utilized for social change
Course Outline:
🔶 Sept. 13 – Week 1: Discovering Fierce Self-Compassion
We’ll start by understanding what “fierce self-compassion” means—it’s about being kind to yourself while also being strong and protective when you need to be. You’ll think about your relationship with your own inner strength, set personal goals for the course, and learn the basics of how being compassionate toward yourself can actually be a powerful force in your life.
🔷 Sept. 20 – Week 2: Tender Acceptance
This week is about learning to be gentle and loving with yourself when things get tough. Through guided relaxation exercises and practical techniques, you’ll practice meeting difficult feelings with kindness rather than harsh self-criticism. We’ll explore how accepting yourself as you are gives you a stable foundation to be strong when needed.
🔶 Sept. 27 – Week 3: Protecting Ourselves
Here we focus on the strong side of self-compassion—learning when and how to set boundaries and say “no” to protect yourself. You’ll discover how to stand up for yourself with confidence and care, without being mean or aggressive about it.
🔷 Oct. 4 – Week 4: Harnessing the Power of Anger
Anger often tells us something important is wrong—this session teaches you how to pay attention to your anger thoughtfully and use it in healthy ways. We’ll look at the difference between just reacting angrily versus using anger wisely to take care of yourself and stand up for what matters to you.
🔶 Oct. 11 – Week 5: Motivating Change
Being kind to yourself doesn’t make you lazy or complacent—it actually helps you grow and improve. This week you’ll learn how fierce self-compassion can motivate you to work toward important goals by encouraging yourself rather than beating yourself up.
🔷 Oct. 18 – Week 6: Living Deeply
We’ll reflect on what’s truly important to you and how to meet your real needs with honesty and courage. You’ll explore finding the right balance between doing things and simply being present, and how to live in a way that matches your personal values.
🔶 Oct. 25 – Week 7: Finding Wholeness
Through thinking about who you are and your relationships with others, we’ll work on accepting all parts of yourself. This session looks at how society’s expectations (especially around gender roles) affect us, and how to bring together both your strong and gentle sides.
🔷 Nov. 1 – Week 8: Finding Meaning
In our final session, we’ll explore how fierce self-compassion helps not just you personally, but can also contribute to making the world better. You’ll reflect on your journey through the course, make commitments to yourself going forward, and figure out how to keep using these tools in your daily life and in helping others.
Course Fee & Registration Info:
📅 Course Details:
Online via Zoom
Saturdays, September 13 – November 1, 2025
PT 8:00-10:30am | ET 11:00am-1:30pm | CEST 5:00-7:30pm
🌐 Online Info Session:
Saturday, August 30, 2025 (registration required)
PT 8:00-9:00am | ET 11:00am-12:00pm | CEST 5:00-6:00pm
💻 Recordings:
Live sessions will be recorded, so no problem if you miss a class.
💸 Course Fee:
€440/$490 | €490/$540 | €540/$590 (sliding scale)
👥 Who Should Attend:
Prerequisite for registration: completion of 8-week or 10-week Mindful Self-Compassion Course, Fierce Self-Compassion Workshop, the 5-Day Intensive MSC Course or a MSC Core Skills Course.
📧 Registration:
office@dennis-johnson.com
Participant Voices:
💬 “It felt incredibly nourishing to have this weekly anchor — with people I didn’t even know, yet somehow felt deeply connected to. I left each evening feeling uplifted and empowered.” — Julia
💬 “I feel the change in my body — a new strength in my chest, a sense of standing taller. I’ve noticed I’m speaking up more clearly for myself, and maybe even inspiring others to do the same.” — Florian
💬 “The course was an invitation to take responsibility — without the usual self-criticism. I learned to ask myself, ‘What do I need right now?’ and ‘How can I be kind to myself, even when I fail?’” — Katrin
💬 “The course helped me reconnect to myself more, without needing to constantly please others. I don’t have to be everybody’s darling — and that leads to more vitality and inner clarity.” — Gunnar
💬 “I discovered previously hidden parts of myself — even my wild side. When I stop supressing it, energy is released, and I feel more authentic and alive.” — Uli
About Dennis Johnson
Dennis is a certified teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a member of the Community for Deepening Practice teaching team, and a psychosocial counselor with Windhorse Integral Mental Health in Vienna. With a background in Tibetan and Buddhist Studies, and many years of experience as a librarian, translator, and interpreter, he weaves together practice, teaching, and contemplative research. He has completed advanced training in trauma-sensitive and nervous-system-informed mindfulness approaches, as well as teacher training practicums in Fierce Self-Compassion (July 2025) and Self-Compassion for Shame. Dennis lives in Vienna, where he enjoys swimming, simple food, time in nature, and the depth of good friendship.
