The Compassionate Mind Foundation

What The Compassionate Mind Foundation does

The Compassionate Mind Foundation (CMF) is a registered charity in England and Wales (Charity No. 1120364, Company No. 05888231), founded in 2006 by Professor Paul Gilbert OBE, the originator of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). Headquartered at the University of Derby campus in Derby with 19 employees, CMF functions as the institutional home of CFT and Compassionate Mind Training (CMT), a therapeutic framework grounded in evolutionary psychology, attachment theory, and cognitive behavioral principles. Its core products include a tiered workshop catalog (introductory through advanced, priced £69–£350+), a 10-month Diploma in CFT and an 8-month Diploma in the Science and Application of the Compassionate Mind, an annual international conference (12th held in 2023, 15th scheduled for 2026), and freely accessible guided practices, research scales, and books. Supporting resources include a video library, the Creating a Compassionate World interview series, special interest groups covering 13+ clinical areas, email-based discussion lists, and regional peer support and supervision networks.

CMF operates a hybrid community-led and event-driven go-to-market model. Revenue is generated across seven streams: training workshops, the annual international conference, multi-month diploma programs, recurring community membership at £65/year, bespoke organizational training, book sales, and donations. Distribution combines direct-to-consumer self-serve channels (website booking, Stripe-powered payments, Memberstack-managed membership, Eventbrite event registration) with channel partners via a network of 17 international affiliate centers spanning Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, and the UAE, plus academic collaboration with the University of Derby. Primary customer segments are practicing mental health professionals (psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, nurses, psychiatrists), with secondary segments including organizations seeking workplace compassion training, educational institutions, individuals pursuing personal compassion practice, and specialized clinical populations addressed through special interest groups. The foundation is governed independently with no parent company or external institutional ownership disclosed.

Name

The Compassionate Mind Foundation

Legal name

The Compassionate Mind Foundation

Website

https://compassionatemind.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Compassionate Mind Foundation is a UK-registered charity founded in 2006 by Prof Paul Gilbert OBE that delivers training, diplomas, conferences, and research in Compassion Focused Therapy and Compassionate Mind Training to mental health practitioners, organizations, and individuals across 17 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Professional Training and Therapy Education

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Mindfulness, Meditation & Stress Management Education (EDAAAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Behavioral Health & Counseling (Social Work, Psychology, Substance Use CE) (EDAAALAD), Trauma-Informed Mindfulness & Somatic Mind-Body Practices (HSADAJAI), Mindfulness-Based Coaching & Training (MBSR/MBCT-style) (HSADAJAB), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Compassion focused therapy
• Mental health training
• Professional therapy workshops
• Psychotherapy certification
• Compassionate mind training

Headquarters

HQ city

Derby

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Training Workshops and Events: The foundation generates revenue through professional training workshops in Compassion Focused Therapy, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Workshops are offered online and in-person, with prices ranging from £69 to £350+ depending on duration and content.
2. Annual International Conference: Annual conference revenue from registration fees, featuring keynotes, symposia, workshops, and networking events. The 12th International CFT Conference was held in October 2023.
3. Diploma Programs: Revenue from structured diploma programs such as the 10-month Diploma in Compassion Focused Therapy and the 8-month Science and Application of Compassionate Mind diploma.
4. Community Membership: Annual membership at £65/year providing access to exclusive video/audio resources, online materials, handouts, tip sheets, past conference archives, and member-only events with discounted workshop rates.
5. Bespoke Organizational Training: Customized in-house training packages for organizations and businesses wanting to implement CFT and CMT approaches with their staff.
6. Book Sales: Sales of CFT-related books, workbooks, and therapeutic resources through the website.
7. Donations: Voluntary donations from supporters to support the foundation's charitable mission and activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Compassionate Mind Foundation delivers professional training, certification, and community programs in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Compassionate Mind Training (CMT). Offerings span entry-level to advanced clinical workshops, 8- and 10-month diploma programs, an annual international conference, a £65/year membership with exclusive resources, bespoke corporate training packages, and free guided practices, video libraries, and research scales.

Product overview

The Compassionate Mind Foundation offers a comprehensive platform focused on Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Compassionate Mind Training (CMT). The core offerings include intensive training workshops at various levels (beginner to advanced), a 10-month clinical diploma, and an 8-month science and application diploma. The Foundation provides annual international conferences, free guided practices and meditations, video and audio resources, books, and free research scales. Additional services include community membership (£65/year) with exclusive resources, peer support and supervision networks across multiple countries, special interest groups focused on specific therapeutic areas, and email-based discussion lists. The Foundation also offers bespoke training packages for organisations and runs an Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Fund for scholarships and research funding. International reach is extended through affiliate centres in over 15 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) Workshops A range of therapy training workshops for mental healthcare professionals covering topics such as trauma, self-criticism, psychosis, and clinical supervision. Pricing ranges from £69 (introductory 3-hour CPD) to £350+ for 3-day workshops.
• Diploma in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) A 10-month intensive diploma programme developed by leading figures in the field, offering in-depth training for practitioners in Compassion Focused Therapy.
• Diploma in The Science and Application of the Compassionate Mind

Quantifiable outcome

• Meta-analysis of 7,875 participants from 17 countries over 14 years found CFT effective in reducing negative mental health outcomes, depression, self-criticism, and improving compassion
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Compassionate Mind AustraliacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian affiliate center providing local CFT training, workshops, and community building for compassion-focused therapy practitioners in Australia.
• Compassionate Mind CanadacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanadian affiliate center facilitating CFT training and practice development across Canada with peer support groups in Toronto.
• Compassionate Mind NetherlandscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDutch affiliate center offering CFT training, peer support meetings, and compassionate mind resources for Netherlands practitioners.
• Compassionate Mind DenmarkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDanish affiliate center providing CFT training and resources for Danish-speaking practitioners.
• Compassionate Mind SwedencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwedish affiliate center delivering CFT training and building compassionate mind community in Sweden.
• Compassionate Mind SpaincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpanish affiliate center providing CFT training and resources in Spanish language for practitioners across Spain.
• Compassionate Mind ItalycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian affiliate center offering CFT training and compassionate mind resources for Italian practitioners.
• Compassionate Mind FrancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench affiliate center providing CFT training and resources for French-speaking practitioners.
• Compassionate Minds Switzerland (German-speaking)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman-speaking affiliate center covering Switzerland, Austria, and Germany with CFT training and peer support meetings.
• CFT Polska (Poland)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPolish affiliate center providing CFT training and resources for Polish practitioners.
• CFT CroatiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCroatian affiliate center offering CFT training with monthly meetings in Zagreb (online and in-person).
• Compassion Centre GreececoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGreek affiliate center providing CFT training and resources for Greece and Cyprus with hybrid meetings in Athens.
• Compassionate Minds UAEcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUAE affiliate center providing CFT training and resources for practitioners in Dubai and the Middle East region.
• Compassionate Mind Bosnia and HerzegovinacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBosnian affiliate center providing CFT training and resources for the Balkans region.
• AMEC Brasil (Brazil)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrazilian affiliate center offering CFT training and resources for Portuguese-speaking practitioners in Brazil.
• Motivacion Compasiva ArgentinacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArgentine affiliate center providing CFT training and compassionate mind resources for Spanish-speaking practitioners in Argentina.
• University of DerbycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMF headquarters is located at University of Derby (Markeaton Lodge), with academic collaboration on CFT research and training development including postgraduate certificate programs.
• Balanced MindsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK organization co-directed by Dr Charlie Heriot-Maitland specializing in CFT therapy, supervision and training, involved in CFT for psychosis research and the Compassion for Voices project.
• Ubuntu PsychologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany directed by Dr Ashleigh McLellan providing clinical CFT work, organizational training, and corporate wellness programs.
• Indigo Talent DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany co-directed by Dr Ashleigh McLellan bringing CFT model into corporate and business development contexts.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Calm: Leading consumer meditation and mental wellness app with corporate (Calm Business) and education segments. Comparable to CMF in the broader mindfulness/wellness category, but as a venture-backed incumbent with significantly larger reach and brand recognition.
• Headspace: Large digital mental health and mindfulness platform with consumer and enterprise offerings (Headspace for Educators, Headspace Health). Comparable to CMF in the mindfulness training and corporate wellbeing space, but operating at vastly larger scale via a consumer app rather than charity workshops.

Direct peers

• Potential Project: Corporate mindfulness and compassion-based leadership training provider serving global enterprises. Comparable to CMF's bespoke organizational training arm, with overlap in workplace wellbeing, leadership development, and evidence-based mindfulness curriculum.
• Mindfulness Association: UK charity providing mindfulness teacher training, CPD-accredited programs, and retreats. Directly comparable as a UK mindfulness training charity with similar audience (mental health practitioners, educators) and revenue model (workshops, memberships, teacher training pathways).
• Breathworks: UK-based charity offering mindfulness and compassion-based teacher training, retreats, and CPD programs for healthcare professionals. Directly comparable as a UK mindfulness-training nonprofit serving similar practitioner audiences with overlapping compassion/mindfulness curriculum.
• Mindful Schools: Nonprofit offering mindfulness training for educators and K-12 institutions. Comparable to CMF's educational institution segment, addressing student mental health and teacher wellbeing through compassion/mindfulness-based programs.
• Centre for Mindful Self-Compassion: Founded by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer, MSC offers 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion programs and teacher training. Closely comparable to CMF as a competing compassion-focused therapy training ecosystem with global teacher networks and a similar scientific orientation.
• Oxford Mindfulness Centre: University of Oxford-affiliated mindfulness research and teacher training center offering MBCT teacher training and CPD. Comparable to CMF as a UK academic-aligned mindfulness training provider serving mental health practitioners, though MBCT- rather than CFT-focused.

Others

• Mental Health Foundation: UK mental health charity focused on public awareness, research, and policy advocacy. Adjacent to CMF as a fellow UK mental health nonprofit, but focused on prevention/awareness rather than clinical training delivery.
• British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy: UK professional body for counselling and psychotherapy, providing accreditation, CPD standards, and member services. Adjacent to CMF as a key touchpoint for the same practitioner audience but operating as a membership association rather than a training provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CompMindFound
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-compassionate-mind-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/compassionatemind_foundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Compassionate Mind Foundation