Utah Self-Compassion Training | CFT in Springdale

Utah Self-Compassion Training

Compassion Focused Therapy is coming to Utah

A five-day CFT and self-compassion training in Springdale, with optional residential package near Zion National Park

22-26 September 2027
Hyatt Place Springdale / Zion National Park

RetreatWise NI is delighted to bring Compassion Focused Therapy and self-compassion training to Utah.

Hosted by RetreatWise NI, part of EventWise NI in Northern Ireland, this five-day programme brings together international CFT-informed training, experiential practice, reflection and connection in the extraordinary setting of Springdale, close to Zion National Park.

Designed for therapists, mental health practitioners, social workers, psychologists, counsellors and wellbeing professionals, this training offers a rare opportunity to experience Compassion Focused Therapy in person, in a setting that supports learning, reflection and practice.

This is professional training, but not just another training course.

Across five days, participants will explore key ideas from the Compassionate Mind model through teaching, guided practice, group discussion, applied clinical reflection and self-practice. The programme has been designed to help participants understand CFT not only as a model to use with clients, but as an approach that can be experienced, practised and embodied.

Two ways to join

Participants can attend as a non-residential training participant, or choose the residential package for a fuller, more immersive experience.

Training Pass

For local participants, or those arranging their own accommodation.

Residential Training Package

For participants who want to stay onsite and experience the fuller RetreatWise approach, with more space for connection, reflection and integration across the week.

Both options include the full five-day training programme.

About the training

Compassion Focused Therapy, developed by Professor Paul Gilbert, is an evidence-informed approach that helps us understand the role of shame, self-criticism, threat, safeness, courage and compassion in human distress and psychological change.

This five-day training will introduce participants to key CFT ideas and practices, with a particular focus on self-compassion, compassionate mind training and how the model can be brought into therapeutic work.

The programme will include:

• teaching on the foundations of Compassion Focused Therapy
• experiential self-practice
• guided compassion and self-compassion exercises
• group discussion and reflection
• applied clinical examples
• time to consider how the model can be integrated into therapeutic practice
• a guided Zion-based reflective practice session

The training is suitable for practitioners who are new to CFT, as well as those who already have some familiarity with the model and want a more experiential, embodied learning environment.

Why Utah?

CFT is increasingly relevant for therapists and helping professionals working with shame, self-criticism, trauma, anxiety, burnout and emotional regulation.

Many practitioners are introduced to the model through books, online courses or shorter trainings. This programme offers something different: a chance to spend five days learning, practising and reflecting in person, with time to explore how CFT can be used both personally and professionally.

For local practitioners, this is an opportunity to access an international CFT-informed training experience in Utah, without travelling overseas.

For those travelling in, the residential package offers a fuller learning experience, with time to step away from daily demands and engage more deeply with the work.

Why Springdale and Zion?

The setting is an important part of the experience.

Springdale, Utah, sits beside the extraordinary landscape of Zion National Park. The scale, stillness and beauty of the surrounding area offer a powerful backdrop for reflection, grounding and compassionate practice.

This is not a sightseeing holiday. It is a professional training programme. However, the setting has been chosen intentionally, to support learning that is thoughtful, spacious and connected to lived experience.

As part of the programme, participants will take part in a guided Zion-based reflective practice session, linking the teaching with place, body, reflection and compassionate awareness.

Training Pass

For local participants, or those arranging their own accommodation

The Training Pass includes the full five-day programme.

Includes:

• full five-day in-person training programme
• approximately 24 live training/contact hours
• teaching and experiential practice
• group discussion and reflection
• guided compassion and self-compassion practices
• Zion-based reflective practice session
• lunches and refreshment breaks on programme days
• training materials
• certificate of attendance

Launch rate

£1,195 / approx $1,600

A £500 deposit secures your place, with the remaining balance due closer to the training date.

Residential Training Package

For participants who want the fuller, more immersive experience

The Residential Training Package includes everything in the Training Pass, plus four nights’ accommodation at Hyatt Place Springdale / Zion National Park.

This option is recommended for participants who want more time to step away from daily demands and allow the learning to settle across the week.

Staying onsite creates more space for informal connection, shared meals, reflection and integration. For many people, some of the most meaningful parts of an experience like this happen in the spaces between sessions: over breakfast, after practice, during quiet reflection, or in conversation with others.

Includes:

• full five-day Training Pass
• approximately 24 live training/contact hours
• 4 nights’ accommodation at Hyatt Place Springdale / Zion National Park
• hotel breakfast each morning
• optional morning grounding, mindful movement or quiet reflection practice
• lunches and refreshment breaks on programme days
• welcome gathering / dinner
• farewell gathering / dinner
• training materials
• certificate of attendance
• additional time for reflection, connection and integration

Launch residential package

£2,395 / approx $3,210

A £500 deposit secures your place, with the remaining balance due closer to the training date.

This package is ideal for participants travelling from outside the local area, or for anyone who wants the fullest RetreatWise experience.

Pricing

A note on currency

RetreatWise NI is based in Northern Ireland, UK, and bookings are processed in GBP (£).

Approximate USD prices are shown as a guide for US participants. The final USD amount may vary slightly depending on exchange rates and any card provider fees at the time of booking.

Continuing Education / CEU Information

This training offers approximately 24 live training/contact hours across five days, including teaching, experiential practice, group reflection, discussion and guided self-practice.

Participants will receive a certificate of attendance documenting the training contact hours completed. The certificate will include the course title, provider, instructor, date, learning objectives, training format and awarded hours, so participants have the information needed for their own continuing education records.

Utah DOPL has previously advised that it does not operate a formal pre-approval process for CEU courses, and that a broad range of continuing education courses may be considered for renewal requirements, provided they meet the relevant Utah rule requirements.

Previous Utah-based clinicians have successfully used EventWise NI training certificates as part of their continuing education records.

Requirements vary by profession, licence type, state and professional body, so participants are responsible for checking whether this training can be counted towards their own CEU, CPD or continuing education requirements.

Practitioners outside Utah, including those from other US states, Canada, the UK, Ireland or other countries, should check with their own licensing board, professional body or employer before booking if they require formal continuing education recognition.

If you need further details before booking, please contact us and we’ll be happy to provide the course information you may need to check with your board.

Learning objectives

By the end of the training, participants will have had the opportunity to:

• understand key foundations of Compassion Focused Therapy and the Compassionate Mind model
• explore the role of threat, drive and soothing systems in emotional regulation
• consider the impact of shame, self-criticism and fears of compassion
• practise compassion-focused exercises and self-compassion practices
• reflect on how CFT ideas can be applied in therapeutic and helping relationships
• develop greater confidence in using compassionate mind practices personally and professionally
• consider how to support clients in building safeness, courage and compassionate awareness

Workshop Leader

Dr Lorraine McGurk

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Dr Lorraine McGurk is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Consultant Clinical Psychologist based in Northern Ireland. She is Assistant Head of Psychological Therapy Service in an NHS Trust in Northern Ireland and Clinical Lead for the Trust’s Staff Psychological Wellbeing Service.

Lorraine completed her doctoral training at Trinity College Dublin and has over 20 years’ experience working with people experiencing mental health difficulties across inpatient and outpatient settings. Her clinical work now focuses particularly on supporting healthcare staff experiencing workplace stress, trauma and loss.

Lorraine has undertaken extensive training in Compassion Focused Therapy, including advanced CFT skills, CFT group facilitation, CFT formulation, CFT for trauma, and the Compassion-Focused Staff Support model. She is an experienced group facilitator and has delivered CFT training for doctoral programmes in Clinical Psychology at Trinity College Dublin and Queen’s University Belfast.

Lorraine brings a warm, authentic and compassionate approach to teaching, and aims to make her training events a compassionate learning experience in themselves.

Who is this training for?

This training is designed for:

• therapists
• counsellors / counselors
• psychologists
• social workers
• mental health practitioners
• wellbeing professionals
• practitioners interested in Compassion Focused Therapy, self-compassion and compassion-based approaches

You do not need to be an expert in CFT to attend. The programme is designed to be accessible, experiential and relevant to practitioners who want to deepen both their understanding and their personal practice.

About RetreatWise NI

RetreatWise NI is part of EventWise NI, a UK and Ireland-based training and retreat company specialising in psychology, wellbeing and compassion-based events.

We design professional learning experiences that combine high-quality training with thoughtful event design, supportive settings and space for reflection.

Our work includes international training retreats, professional development events and specialist wellbeing programmes for therapists, practitioners and organisations.

This Utah training brings our international self-compassion work to Springdale for the first time, creating a special opportunity for practitioners to experience CFT training in a supportive, reflective and professionally meaningful environment.

Book your place

Bookings are now open for the Utah Self-Compassion Training.

A £500 deposit secures your place.

Choose from:

• Training Pass: £1,195 / approx $1,600
• Residential Training Package: £2,395 / approx $3,210

The training is subject to minimum numbers. If RetreatWise NI is unable to proceed with the training, deposits will be refunded in full or transferred to another RetreatWise NI training, depending on your preference.

Participant cancellations will be subject to our standard booking terms and conditions.

Secure your place with a £500 deposit

Programme at a glance

The Utah Self-Compassion Training is a five-day in-person programme, combining teaching, experiential practice, guided reflection, group discussion and time to integrate the learning. The programme offers approximately 24 live training/CEU contact hours.

FAQ

Any Questions? Please see FAQ tab below to see if we’ve already answered them for you.

Don’t Take Our Word For It – Hear What Others Are Saying About Our Previous Retreats…

“If you are considering attending I would say just do it! A life changing experience that I will keep and build on forever. I knew it would be good but wow I could never have imagined how good. Perfect from start to finish.” 

Diane Maddison

“This is an excellent workshop and retreat. I would highly recommend it to any therapist who needs to take time out for reflection and healing from both work and personal challenges. It really does help to generate a refreshing and safe space to recalibrate and prioritise your practice and personal life.”

Dr. Gerard Butcher

“Events that enable growth amongst therapists rather than simple training are rare, and as rare opportunities go to work with and bond with colleagues and ultimately new friends, this was exceptional.”

Dr. Michael Appleton

“An amazing opportunity to spend time with other therapists from different countries, cultures and professional backgrounds, and felt part of something very special. Really valued all being in one love in the evening, it provided space for us to be together as a group.”

Emma Blaney

“I thought the whole weekend was very well organised and each workshop built on previous ones in a very helpful way. The facilitation of a safe environment in which to share was very important. I think the fact that the attendees were all in the same accommodation really worked as we had plenty of opportunity to chat and develop friendships.  Thank you Tally and Deborah for a very inspiring few days. You both worked very hard and really looked after everyone. The retreat gave me a lot of food for thought which I will continue to use and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have participated.”

Dr. Gaye Cunnane

“The splendour of the Wild Atlantic Way, the warmth of the Irish folk and the beautiful green rolling hills of Donegal, afforded us the most special experience during the Donegal Retreat. The workshop content covering Compassionate Focus Therapy with Dr Deborah Lee was just that, compassionate yet informative, with a gentle mix of cognitive content, self- reflection and sharing, in a safe and confidential space. Coupled with interesting activities to include morning yoga on the beach, a boat trip, camp fire at night on the beach and an optional walk up to Slieve Liag, there was something to suit everyone. The attention to detail and superior quality of delivery, both from the event organiser Tally, and the lead Clinical Psychologist Dr Deborah Lee, made it special indeed, adding value and enhancing self worth, in a safe, friendly and non- judgemental environment, with like- minded people. I would highly recommend doing this retreat and look forward to going to another workshop!” 

Chantal Sargent