Compassion Cultivation in Health Care (CCHC) is modified from the original 16-hour Compassion Cultivation Training©, which is designed to cultivate the inherent quality of compassion that all humans possess. When we cultivate compassion, it becomes the default stance from which we live and respond in daily life. This modification includes shorter classes and content specific to those in the health field. This workshop includes didactic teaching, pair/group exercises, short contemplative practices, and practical on-the-spot practices.

What does Compassion Cultivation in Health Care (CCHC) look like?

CCHC is an 8-module course, including:

• Limited didactics, discussions, and interactive exercises
• Meditation practices
• Practical skills and application for health care professionals

The 8-session CCHC journey 

Session 1, Building Awareness: Understanding mindfulness and cultivating awareness

Session 2, Empathy: Understanding the difference between empathy and compassion

Session 3, Self-Compassion: Including yourself in the circle of compassion

Session 4, Reconnecting with Our Values: Identifying our values, self-appreciation, and practicing gratitude

Session 5, Common Humanity: Cultivating a feeling of connection with others; appreciating the contribution of others to our lives

Session 6, When Compassion Gets Hard: Recognizing what blocks compassion to widen our circle of compassion

Session 7, Active Compassion: Making your compassion more embodied and active

Session 8, Sustainable Compassion: Integrating compassion in one’s life, sustainably

This course will specifically focus on cultivating compassion for providers and staff in the health field, including addressing barriers and enablers in our current environment. The class time will allow for discussion of issues specific to working in health amongst a group of peers.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Describe the basic components of mindful awareness
• Describe the key components of compassion
• Apply the practice of setting intentions
• Describe the difference between empathy and compassion
• Describe the importance of self-compassion
• Apply learned compassion skills in everyday and professional life
• Describe the key components of common humanity
• Describe how to establish a daily practice

Our group will meet in-person on April 14, 2026, from 8am-12pm CST.

We will meet virtually on the following dates:

• Wed, 4/22, 12-1pm CST

• Wed, 4/29, 12-1pm CST

• Wed, 5/6, 12-1pm CST

• Wed, 6/3, 12-1pm CST

• Wed, 6/10, 12-1pm CST

We will be holding an optional post-course check-in for alumni of this cohort on Wednesday, July 15th, 2026, 12pm CST (no extra cost).