Online | Three months | Part-time
Loving-Kindness Meditation Teacher Training for Counsellors is a three-month experiential professional development program exploring how the Buddhist practice of metta (loving-kindness) can deepen therapeutic presence, compassion, emotional balance and relational awareness in counselling and other helping professions. Rather than treating loving-kindness as simply a relaxation technique, the course approaches metta as a systematic training of attention, intention and relationship.
Participants develop their own personal metta practice while learning how its principles and practices can be introduced carefully, ethically and appropriately within professional helping contexts. The program explores the Four Immeasurables — loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity — while progressively developing metta for loved ones, oneself, neutral people and difficult people.
develop a grounded understanding and personal practice of metta;
understand the Four Immeasurables of loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity;
deepen compassion, emotional balance and therapeutic presence;
become more aware of self-criticism, attachment, aversion, bias and emotional reactivity;
learn how to introduce and guide brief loving-kindness practices appropriately;
understand obstacles, contraindications and trauma-aware adaptations;
explore ethical integration of contemplative practices in secular and religiously diverse settings; and
Three monthly modules developing metta from personal practice to professional integration
Two recorded lectures per module
One live online tutorial each month with guided practice, discussion and Q&A
One moderated Professional Integration Group each month
Guided loving-kindness and Four Immeasurables practices
Experiential and interpersonal exercises
Simulated facilitation and peer feedback
Professional case discussions
Targeted readings, videos and supplementary resources
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Participants undertake a modest personal metta practice throughout the three months, ideally 15–20 minutes per day on at least five days each week. Practice develops progressively through metta for loved ones, oneself, neutral people and difficult people, together with compassion, empathetic joy, equanimity, full formal metta and informal loving-kindness in everyday life.
The program is designed primarily for counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists, social workers, mental-health practitioners, pastoral and spiritual-care practitioners, allied-health and community-support professionals, and other helping professionals interested in integrating contemplative approaches ethically into their work. Applicants should hold, be undertaking, or have relevant professional experience equivalent to a recognised qualification in a helping profession.
Previous Buddhist study or meditation experience is not required. Participants should, however, be willing to undertake regular personal contemplative practice throughout the course.
To receive the Certificate of Completion, participants complete:
a Reflective Metta Practice Journal and Log;
a Professional Integration Presentation using a de-identified case or helping scenario; and
a final 1,000–1,500 word Integrative Practice Plan, or equivalent recorded presentation.
Assessment is Complete / Resubmit
Registration closes one week before each course commences.
Payment plan available. Register below.
Pema Düddul is a Buddhist chaplain, educator and Dharma teacher with extensive experience integrating contemplative practice, pastoral care and adult education. He was ordained as a Buddhist minister in 2006 and later granted the title Lama. He has studied Buddhist Psychology (Abhidharma) since the 1990s. A former Multi-Faith Chaplain at the University of Southern Queensland, Pema provided counselling and pastoral support and taught meditation and mindfulness. Since 2019, he has served as Principal Dharma Teacher and Programs Director at Pristine Awareness, designing and delivering online programs in Buddhist philosophy and practice. Pema is also an Associate Professor with substantial experience in learning design and online education and has published widely on Buddhism.
Loving-Kindness Meditation (LKM) is a Buddhist practice of intentionally cultivating feelings of goodwill, care and kindness toward oneself and others, which research suggests can increase positive emotions, compassion and mindfulness while reducing negative affect and psychological distress.
Counsellors and all helping professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of mind and emotion can benefit from this course. LKM can benefit those experiencing stress, anxiety, self-criticism or social disconnection, with research suggesting it improves emotional wellbeing, positive affect and feelings of connection with others.
Research shows that Loving-Kindness Meditation (LKM) can strengthen therapeutic presence by cultivating greater compassion, emotional regulation, non-judgmental awareness and warmth, helping therapists remain more attentive, more grounded and genuinely connected with clients.
No prior experience in Buddhist psychology or practice is required. Our programs are designed for all levels of knowledge and expertise.
We offer workshops, training sessions, and reflective learning courses that incorporate contemplative methods and Buddhist principles.
For further inquiries, please use our contact page and we will be happy to assist you.