About the Instructor, Holly Costa

Certified Compassion Cultivation™ Training Instructor

Mindfulness Coach

What I Do

I am a certified Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT™) instructor and the founder of Integrate Compassion. I offer mindfulness and compassion-based programs that support greater emotional intelligence, resilience, self-awareness, and well-being.

My work includes local and online group offerings, as well as corporate wellness workshops designed to help people develop practical skills for managing stress, navigating challenges, strengthening relationships, and creating more mindful workplaces.

While my work is grounded in the research and practices of Compassion Cultivation Training, I draw from a broad range of evidence-based mindfulness and emotional intelligence practices to meet the needs of each group and setting.

How I Do It

My approach combines scientific research, contemplative practice, and practical tools that can be integrated into everyday life and work.

I follow an evidence-based approach to mindfulness and compassion education informed by my training through Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE), as well as ongoing study in the fields of mindfulness, emotional balance, and compassionate leadership.

I participate in the Compassion Education Alliance, where I continue to expand my skills in compassion education, trauma-sensitive teaching, and emerging approaches to supporting emotional resilience. I have a special interest in furthering my education in Cultivating Emotional Balance (CEB), which explores the relationship between mindfulness, emotions, and well-being.

My studies at the Land of Medicine Buddha in Soquel, California have included formal instruction from Tenzin Chogkyi and other experienced teachers in areas including Cultivating Emotional Balance, Cultivating Compassion, Compassionate Boundaries, Nonviolent Communication, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and Mindful Leadership.

I was also grateful for the opportunity to discuss mindfulness and emotional regulation in an interview with the State of Mind radio show.

Why I Do It

My own experience with mindfulness and compassion practices has been deeply transformative. They have changed the way I understand myself, relate to others, and navigate the inevitable challenges of life.

I believe these skills are not just personal practices — they are essential tools for creating healthier relationships, more resilient individuals, and more compassionate communities.

I am especially passionate about supporting people who experience burnout, compassion fatigue, and the challenges of caring for others. Through Integrate Compassion, my goal is to offer practical, accessible practices that help people reconnect with themselves, build resilience, and cultivate greater awareness in both their personal and professional lives.