Professional Online Training Program

Would you like to develop trauma-informed skills as a therapist or health care provider?

Applications are now open for the 12th Cohort

Program Dates: September 19, 2022 to October 16, 2023

Subsidy Application Closes: July 8, 2022

Regular Application Closes: July 31, 2022


This international training now has over 2700 participants from over 84 countries!

What Is Compassionate Inquiry?

Compassionate Inquiry is a psychotherapeutic approach created by Dr. Gabor Maté and developed by Sat Dharam Kaur ND. Dr. Gabor Mate evolved this therapeutic approach over 20 years of his personal journey, and from his work with patients in family practice, palliative care, and addiction. He developed his system further while facilitating integration workshops focused on healing trauma through the use of psychedelics.

Compassionate Inquiry gently uncovers and releases the layers of childhood trauma, constriction and suppressed emotion embedded in the body, that are at the root of illness and addiction.

We all long to be seen, heard, understood and loved. We heal when we feel safe in relationship, connected to our bodies, our breath, the present moment, and one another. Only when we experience connection to ourselves and others, can we open up to our vulnerability and emotions, and discover and express what is true for us. This expression is what heals us.

The goal of Compassionate Inquiry is to bring compassion, respect, acceptance, insight, healing, freedom and connection to humanity through an international community of skillful Compassionate Inquiry Practitioners. 

The Professional Online Training Program is a 240 hour, year-long, graduate-level program structured to develop the therapeutic skills and effectiveness of practicing Health Care Professionals. 

Why Join?

  • Would you like to increase your skills and effectiveness as a therapist or health provider?
  • Have you been impacted by the teachings and modelling of Dr. Gabor Maté?
  • Would you like to be part of an international community of Compassionate Inquiry Practitioners?
  • Would you benefit from a year-long therapeutic peer support and practice group?
  • Are you willing to spend at least 4-8 hours a week over the next year learning and practicing a new therapeutic modality?

If you said YES to any of these, please read on.

In addition to the in-depth course content, you will receive over 180 hours of live engagement through: meeting weekly with peers; biweekly meetings with online facilitators; regular live group Zoom calls with Dr. Gabor Maté, Sat Dharam Kaur and Facilitators; live monthly workshops and guest lectures; and video recordings.

Participants who complete the program requirements will receive a Certificate of Completion.

An additional 5-month Mentorship Program is available after the year-long training, to develop one’s skills further. It is necessary to complete the Mentorship Program in order to apply to become a certified Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner.


Applications are now open for the 12th Cohort.

Program Dates: September 19, 2022 to October 16, 2023

Professional Training Program Fees: $3800 CAD.

Regular Application Closes: July 31, 2022

Apply Now

Subsidy Application Closes: July 8, 2022

Apply Now

For more information on:

The Application and the Registration procedure, click here!


Is this Professional Training for you?

The Compassionate Inquiry Professional Online Training is meant for professionals already working with clients, such as addiction counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists, social workers, medical doctors, naturopaths, life coaches, and people in other related fields, whose scope of practice includes counselling.

Compassionate Inquiry is an approach to add on to an already existing clinical and mental health practice. If you don’t currently qualify, we invite you to apply after you have completed or are certified in a training that allows you to legally work with clients in your country, using counselling. Examples of such training are Addiction Counselling, accredited Psychotherapy Training, a Life Coach Certification training, or formal University studies in health sciences or psychology at a Masters level.

If you are not a health professional, and you are interested in learning Compassionate Inquiry, or if you are a health professional and are currently a student or are not practicing with clients, Compassionate Inquiry is offering a Self-Study Short Course for you.

You may find answers to further questions on our Compassionate Inquiry FAQ page.


Therapists and health professionals are invited to participate in this 240 hour, year-long, graduate level online training in Compassionate Inquiry for personal and professional development.

The online Compassionate Inquiry training program is so thorough and comprehensive that accredited doctoral level courses that I have taken pale in comparison. The Compassionate Inquiry approach is a powerful synthesis of multiple psychotherapeutic approaches I find to be most helpful in working with those who suffer from addiction and trauma. The synergistic combination of videos, written content, online meetings, and triad work together has been deeply transformational personally and professionally. The way I work with clients has been forever enriched and is now guided by the Stepping Stones so that we are able to get to the core issues that have seeded their addictions, in order to gain insight, heal, and move into sustainable recovery from self-defeating patterns. Dr. Gabor Mate and Sat Dharam Kaur are a powerhouse team whose authenticity, genuineness, and commitment to creating and delivering an exceptional program shines through in this masterfully delivered collaboration. ~ W.H., Clinical Psychologist, Professor in Addiction Studies

View More Testimonials


How You Will Benefit:

This comprehensive Compassionate Inquiry course will help you:

  • Develop 11 essential qualities within yourself to be an effective therapist
  • Practice 9 experiential breathing exercises to enhance personal development
  • Benefit from practical tools including the Compassionate Inquiry Map and the chart of Feelings vs Perceptions
  • Learn how to maintain safety in the therapeutic container
  • Become more aware of the verbal and non-verbal cues of your clients
  • Learn the 7 Pillars of Compassionate Inquiry
  • Learn and practice the 22 skills required in Compassionate Inquiry
  • Discover and master the cycle of 17 Stepping Stones used in the line of inquiry
  • Become more effective in working with clients
  • Nurture compassion for all parts of yourself and others
  • Free yourself from unconscious beliefs that run your life
  • Connect to your in-the-present-self
  • Become more attuned to both the messages from your body, and to your clients

What You Will Receive:

Dive into a thorough exploration of Compassionate Inquiry, a powerful therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Gabor Maté for healing trauma and understanding mental and physical illness. The course includes:

  • Over 30 hours of video with Dr. Gabor Maté teaching and demonstrating Compassionate Inquiry
  • Over 50 videotaped recordings and transcripts of Dr. Gabor Maté modelling Compassionate Inquiry with clients
  • Over 600 pages of transcripts compiled and organized from five 2-day Compassionate Inquiry workshops
  • 8 modules of teachings on safety, attunement, trauma, triggers, attachment, authenticity, diagnoses, memory, beliefs, emotions, pain, addiction, children and more … plus a recommended reading list for each module
  • At least fifty 60-90 minute practice sessions in dyads and triads with course participants, scheduled by you according to your availability
  • A total of twenty-seven 90 minute online biweekly small group sessions to review the modules, lead by an experienced small group facilitator. Time slots that work in every time zone are available, and you will choose one time slot that remains consistent for the year. See the available time slots below
  • Regular Q&A Zoom calls with Dr. Gabor Maté, Sat Dharam and Facilitators to explore the material more deeply
  • Monthly Facilitated Workshops to witness Compassionate Inquiry in practice, and to hear feedback
  • Over 240 hours in total of engagement with peers, online facilitators, live Zoom calls with Dr. Gabor Maté, Sat Dharam and Facilitators and video recordings

You will be given a link to select your time slot after you register and pay for the course. Available time slots for the facilitated biweekly meetings (once every two weeks) in the September 2022 training will be announced once the application procedure is complete.

All time slots are listed in EST / Toronto time. You may convert these times to your time zone here.

September Cohort 2022 Bi-Weekly Time Slots to be Announced

BIPOC Biweekly Group

With each September cohort, we offer a time slot for anyone who does not define as white. This is an opportunity to go through the Compassionate Inquiry year long program with Black, Indigenous, People of Colour. This is for anybody who defines as Black, African, Asian/Pacific Islander, South East Asian, Native Hawaiian, Latinx, Arab/Middle Eastern. This is inclusive of biracial, mixed heritage people who have two or more grandparents from the above list. This group will be facilitated by a BIPOC Facilitator. As we train more BIPOC Facilitators, we intend to have this available for each of the three annual cohorts.

View the Course Outline.

Who You Will Meet:

You won’t complete this journey alone. Along the way, you’ll have support from and contact with others, including:

  • Your biweekly facilitator and interns, during 27 bi-weekly meetings, 90 minutes each
  • Dr. Gabor Maté, during regularly scheduled group Zoom calls for Q&A
  • Your online cohort of approximately 17 other health professionals
  • Your peers with whom you will practice Compassionate Inquiry throughout the year
  • The team of Compassionate Inquiry Facilitators, whom you will meet during monthly Facilitated Workshops and Module Discussion Groups
  • The larger Compassionate Inquiry Community through a closed Facebook group, online forum and Compassionate Inquiry Focus Groups

How You Will Connect:

You’ll have opportunities each week to work with others to successfully propel you along in your journey. These include:

  • Weekly 60-90 min practice sessions on Zoom with members of your biweekly group, in dyads and triads
  • Bi-weekly 90 minute Zoom sessions with your course facilitator
  • Discussion group and Facebook group with the larger Compassionate Inquiry community
  • Regular group Zoom calls per year with Dr. Gabor Maté, Sat Dharam Kaur and Facilitators for Q&A. Calls will be recorded and recordings emailed to you afterwards.
  • Monthly Facilitated Workshops to observe online facilitators model Compassionate Inquiry, as well as Level 3 course participants who both model Compassionate Inquiry and receive feedback
  • Monthly Discussion Groups to talk about the module material in breakout rooms
  • Additional guest workshops and module reviews
  • Optional participation in Compassionate Inquiry Focus Groups

Be Prepared for a Deep Dive:

The intensity of this program will be triggering for many, if not all participants, and will include an investigation of sometimes difficult emotional states originating in childhood. This program is designed to train therapists, and is not meant to be a container for personal therapy. Due to the depth of the work, we require that all participants be simultaneously engaged in regular personal therapy with a therapist of their choice. At least 12 therapy sessions a year, or one per month, are a requirement for course completion 

The Online Facilitators and Interns are not personal therapists to participants in their biweekly group, and participants are responsible for reaching out to their personal therapists to process what arises for them during the training.

Your Commitment to Mastery:

The program only works if you work on it! As part of this select group of individuals, you’ll be expected to:

  • Dedicate a minimum of 8 hours a week engaging with the material and practice
  • Have a reliable internet connection with enough bandwidth for video
  • Read the online course material pdfs and watch the videos of Dr. Gabor Maté teaching and modelling Compassionate Inquiry
  • Complete the short quizzes for the videos in each module
  • Attend weekly 60-90 minute skill building sessions with your peers, practicing the elements of Compassionate Inquiry, for a total of 5O sessions or more within the year
  • Be prepared for your bi-weekly group meeting by answering the home practice questions provided for each module
  • Attend 27 bi-weekly 90 minute Zoom group calls with your online facilitator and maintain at least 80% attendance
  • Complete at least 25 case study forms
  • Complete a comprehensive Competency Assessment Form for yourself

Certificate of Completion guidelines can be found here.

Who May Apply?

The Compassionate Inquiry Professional Online Training is meant for professionals already working with clients, whose scope of practice includes counselling, such as:

  • Mental Health Professionals: psychologists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, somatic therapists, hypnotherapists, social workers, counsellors, marriage and family therapists, expressive arts therapists, addiction counsellors, guidance counsellors etc.
  • Medical and Alternative Medicine Professionals: medical doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors, emergency medical workers, midwives, acupuncturists, TCM doctors, naturopathic doctors, Ayurvedic practitioners, osteopathic doctors etc.
  • Bodyworkers: massage therapists, shiatsu therapists, Rolfers®, Craniosacral and Polarity therapists, Feldenkrais practitioners, yoga therapists, etc.
  • Others: educators, life coaches, mediators, clergy, chaplains, First Nations elders etc.
  • You must be currently in therapy while attending the Compassionate Inquiry Professional Online Training to deal with personal issues as they arise

If you are not a health professional and you are interested in learning Compassionate Inquiry, or if you are a health professional and you cannot make the full commitment to this intensive program, please consider registering for the Self-Study Short Course instead. It is intended for lay-people and professionals who want to learn Compassionate Inquiry, with less of an overall investment.  


Annual Program Start Dates:

This course runs for one year.

There are 3 cohort start dates per year, beginning in February, May and September.

Start Dates for the year 2023 will be announced closer to the Application Opening Dates.  


Course Fees:

  1. $3800 CDN if paying in one payment;
  2. $4000 CDN if paying monthly in 6 payments of $666.66 CDN. Payments are due monthly for 6 months, including the first payment.
  3. $4000 CDN if paying monthly in 10 payments of $400 CDN. Payments are due monthly for 10 months, including the first payment. 
  4. Note on payment plan: Members will be charged monthly until the number of payments is reached (6 payments of $666.66 scheduled automatically or 10 payments of $400 scheduled automatically). The first payment will be processed immediately after checkout on the date of registration. We are unable to change these scheduled payments and expect that they will be paid on time. Late or missed payments result in you losing access to the course materials.

Payment Plans:

  • Your monthly payment date cannot be changed once your initial instalment is made (payment will come out on this date each month)
  • If your monthly instalment is not made on the regularly scheduled payment date, you will automatically lose access to the online platform with the course materials
  • There are no refunds after the first 4 weeks, therefore monthly payments will continue until paid in full
  • If you wish to withdraw from the training after the first 4 weeks of the course, you are still responsible for completing your monthly payments until paid in full

Additional Fees:

  • There is an additional cost of $150 CAD to receive CE credits if you live in the US – see below.
  • The year long professional online training does not include certification as a Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner. Participants who complete the program requirements will receive a Certificate of Completion. A separate 5 month Compassionate Inquiry  Mentorship Program and Certification Review process are required to become certified as a Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner, for an additional cost.
  • Individual or group mentorship from Compassionate Inquiry Mentoring Facilitators is available to you, at an additional charge, while you are in the online training.
  • Private Compassionate Inquiry therapy sessions are also available with Compassionate Inquiry Facilitators (who are not your online facilitator) or other Certified Practitioners, either before you begin the training, or while you are in the training.  

CE Credits:

For Canadians:

Psychologists:

  • Compassionate Inquiry Inc is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. The training is approved for 240 CE Credits.
  • Compassionate Inquiry Inc maintains responsibility for the program.

Psychotherapists:

  • The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) has approved the Compassionate Inquiry Professional Online Program for 240 CE Credits.. Download this CCPA CE Form.

Health Coaches:

  • Health Coach Alliance welcomes the Compassionate Inquiry Professional Online Program as an approved CEC Provider
  • Attendants of the program will be awarded 40 continuing education credits upon completion and successfully passing the quizzes in the training. Proof of course completion will be required for members to obtain credits.
For those in the US

    Information on Continuing Education Credit for Health Professionals

    • CE credits for psychologists are provided by the Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA) which
      is co-sponsoring this program. The Spiritual Competency Academy is approved by the American
      Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. SCA maintains
      responsibility for this program and its content.
    • The California Board of Behavioural Sciences accepts CE credits for LCSW, LPCC, LEP, and
      LMFT license renewal for programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American
      Psychological Association.
    • LCSW, LPCC, LEP, and LMFTs, and other mental health professionals from states other than
      California need to check with their state licensing board as to whether or not they accept
      programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association.
    • SCA is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN Provider CEP16887) for
      licensed nurses in California. RNs must retain this document for 4 years after the course
      concludes.
    • SCA is an approved CE provider for National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coaches
      (CEP Number 100196)
    • For questions about enrolling in CE or receiving your Certificate of Attendance, please contact [email protected].
    • For other questions about CE contact David Lukoff, PhD at
      [email protected]
    • The cost for those who would like to receive CE credits is $150 CDN. You will be given a link for this option when you finish the training.

    Application Process

    Our goal is to bring compassion, respect, acceptance, insight, healing, freedom and connection to humanity through an international community of skillful Compassionate Inquiry practitioners. The Compassionate Inquiry Professional Online Training is an intensive graduate level certification program designed to enhance the skills and effectiveness of professionals already working with clients. Applicants must be professionals currently in practice so that the skills learned in this program can be applied and developed further throughout the year long training. Applications are approved on a case-by-case basis.  

    Compassionate Inquiry Preparatory Course – Safety in Connection

    Applicants with less experience in psychotherapy, mindfulness and/or somatic work will be invited to attend a 4 session online Compassionate Inquiry Preparatory Course highlighting Safety in Connection to prepare them for the intensity of the training, and for working in dyads/triads with emotionally sensitive material. This prep course will be offered as additional sessions during the first two months of the training for those who self-select to take it, or for those who are recommended to attend by their biweekly facilitator or interns.  

    Compassionate Inquiry Recommended Reading

    To prepare for the training, you may want to get started on reading some of the following books, which will provide context for much of what you will learn.

    • When the Body Says No by Gabor Maté
    • A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle
    • The Diamond Heart: Book One by Almaas.
    • The Presence Process by Michael Brown
    • The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk
    • Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine
    • The Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller
    • My Grandmother’s Hand  by Resmaa Menakem

    Private Mentorship

    Private Mentorship is available to you, at an extra charge, as you participate in the online training. This may be appealing especially for therapists working with clients in private practice, who want feedback on their Compassionate Inquiry skills. You may contact any of the Private Mentors for private mentorship and request that they review one or more videotaped sessions where you are practicing Compassionate Inquiry. They will provide feedback on what competencies you are doing well, and which require further attention. This will accelerate your learning and benefit your clients. The cost ranges from $120-$150/hr.


    Apply for the Compassionate Inquiry Professional Online Training:

    The application is to confirm your eligibility. There is a $50 non-refundable application fee. Once your application has been accepted, you will be invited to register and pay for the full program. If you are applying for a subsidy, DO NOT fill out the Regular application below or pay the $50 fee until after you have been notified that a subsidy has been granted.  

    Subsidies for the September Training:

    The course and subsidy applications for the September 2022 Cohort is open. Subsidy applications are due by July 8, 2022. You will be notified if you have been chosen to receive a subsidy. 

    A limited number of subsidies are available, with a course fee of $2500, rather than the regular price of $3800. Subsidies will be granted based on financial need, the number and type of clients you work with, and the economy of the country you live in. We seek to support and include traditionally underrepresented, marginalized, or otherwise under-served populations including people of colour, people from faith based communities, the LGBTQ+ community, as well as full-time students. Our subsidies can also support individuals whose work is in service to marginalized communities, international relief, veterans, and victim support. Please only apply for a subsidy if you:

    1. Would be unable to attend the program otherwise, due to financial constraint
    2. Are committed and capable of attending the program you are applying for
    3. Can pay the discounted rate for the course by the required date, in one payment
    4. Are currently seeing clients, and are a licensed health professional whose scope of practice includes counselling.
    5. Subsidies are not transferable from one course to another, or from one person to another

    Subsidy Application Closes: July 8, 2022

    Apply Now

    Subsidy applications are due by July 8th, 2022. You will be notified if you have been chosen to receive a subsidy by July 13, 2022. Acceptance and payment of the subsidy are due August 1, 2022.


    Regular Application Closes: July 31, 2022

    Apply Now  

    Applications are open until July 31, 2022. You will receive a notice if you have been accepted by August 4, 2022. Registration and payment close on August 14, 2022.


    Other less rigorous Compassionate Inquiry programs are also available, which include:

    The Compassionate Inquiry formats are currently taught in English and Spanish


    Course Withdrawal:

    Compassionate Inquiry Inc reserves the right to deny acceptance to a professional online training program applicant and to withdraw a training participant from all or part of a training program at any time if Compassionate Inquiry Facilitators or the admin team determine that a participant’s behaviour, attitude or views could negatively impact the quality of a training program or online group, or if the participant is not a good fit for the program. Compassionate Inquiry Inc, in its sole discretion, may terminate a participant’s participation at any time. If this should occur, Compassionate Inquiry Inc will refund the tuition paid for the training. Compassionate Inquiry Facilitators and interns will be assessing the suitability of participants for the program during the first 4 weeks of the training. A full refund will be given, minus a $250 admin fee, if a participant is asked to leave during the first 4 weeks of the program.


    Cancellation Policy

    This is an experiential program with a limited number of spaces available. If you wish to withdraw from the program after you make your first payment or a full payment, you will be given a full refund (minus a $250 cancellation fee) if cancelling after your payment and before 4 weeks after the advertised start date of the course. No refunds are allowed 4 weeks after the start date of the course. No exceptions.

    Cancellation Policy for Payment Plans:

    • Your monthly payment date cannot be changed once your initial installment is made (payment will come out on this date each month)
    • If your monthly installment is not made on the regularly scheduled payment date, you will automatically lose access to the online platform with the course materials
    • There are no refunds after the first 4 weeks, therefore monthly payments will continue until paid in full
    • If you wish to withdraw from the training after the first 4 weeks or the course, you are still responsible for completing your monthly payments until paid in full

    Accessibility Policy

    If you have a condition that causes you to work at a slower pace through the training, you may take a 6 month extension after the last day of your training to submit your course completion requirements. You may also repeat the training in subsequent years to complete any work that remained incomplete the previous year. The cost to repeat the training is $1000 CAD. If you have specific accessibility needs, please contact [email protected].

    Do you have further questions?

    View the Compassionate Inquiry FAQ Page

    You can also reach out to us via email at: [email protected]

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