CFS + Fibromyalgia Self Help Introductory Course + Living Your Plan
We don’t endorse any of the resources here, but only share what exists. Please do your own research. The information within our resources is from secondary sources, and is not intended to replace medical advice from a healthcare provider. Whilst we aim to provide as much information as we can for free, some of these resources will cost you money if you take them up. If there are scholarships or funding that we can find, we cite them in the resource.
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This is a two-stage, peer‑led pathway run by ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia Self‑Help:
Introductory Self‑Help Course: a structured, seven‑week online programme aimed at helping participants learn pacing, self‑management skills and emotional support through moderated peer discussion.
Living Your Plan: a continuation into a longer‑term self‑management programme, providing ongoing support, goal‑setting and group discussion for implementing and sustaining self‑management plans.
Together, they create a layered, community-supported support model—from foundational learning to long‑term strategy and consistency.
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Introductory Course
Offered quarterly (January, April, July, October)
Weekly lessons delivered online but not at specific times - good for those not in the US
Facilitated discussions in groups of about 15–18, moderated by trained volunteers with lived experience
After completion, participants can progress to Living Your Plan
Living Your Plan
Ongoing discussion group with new goals and topics posted every two weeks, plus two extra discussion topics every other month
Groups of approximately 20 people, peer‑led with access to Alumni Discussion Group at no additional cost
The first three months are free, followed by US$ 30 per year, with reduced fees for low‑income participants
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No live calls or video – everything is written and asynchronous
The approach is not focused on recovery but on reducing suffering and building stability
Living Your Plan is about sustaining small, realistic improvements, rather than dramatic change
Both programmes prioritise accessibility and emotional safety
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Participants said the weekly structure helped avoid overwhelm while still feeling productive (https://forums.phoenixrising.me/threads/me-cfs-self-help-course.57987/)
Many people appreciated being in a group where others truly understood their situation (https://www.healthrising.org/blog/2019/04/15/tom-wessels-me-cfs-fibromyalgia-pacing-self-help/)
Users reported that the pacing and activity planning tools helped them reduce crashes and flares (https://www.reddit.com/r/cfs/comments/kqq64p/cfs_self_help_course_review_and_experience/)
The affordability was regularly highlighted as essential for people already struggling financially (https://www.healthrising.org/forums/threads/me-cfs-fibro-online-self-help-courses.5819/)
In Living Your Plan, some said the ongoing structure and check-ins gave them a sense of progress and purpose (anecdotal, based on user reflections shared in chronic illness blogs and forums – no single direct source found)
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Introductory Course
Course only: US$20
Course + paperback book: US$34
Course + eBook: US$30
Living Your Plan
Free for the first three months
US$30 per year after that
Approximate conversions:
GBP: £16 to £27 for the course, £24 per year for Living Your Plan
EUR: €19 to €32 for the course, €27 per year
AUD: AU$30 to AU$50 for the course, AU$40 per year
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Partial scholarships available
Very low base price
Book is optional and there are no hidden fees
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Introductory Self‑Help Course: https://cfsselfhelp.org/online-courses/introductory-self-help-course
Living Your Plan: https://cfsselfhelp.org/online-courses/living-your-plan
Full course listing: https://cfsselfhelp.org/online-courses
