How can Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) help you?
In a world where we are constantly striving to be better, faster, more productive, and less “emotional”, many of us live with a persistent inner critic that never seems to rest. That voice tells us that we are not doing enough, that we are not good enough, or that others are judging us. For people struggling with anxiety, trauma, and depression, that voice can be downright brutal.
Compassion Focused Therapy to the rescue
Many therapies encourage people to try to “fix” their inner thoughts. Compassion Focused therapy or CFT offers a radically different approach. CFT invites you to build a more compassionate inner world. An inspiring coach if you will. This creates a world where courage, kindness, and safety help heal long-standing psychological pain.
What is Compassion Focused Therapy?
Developed by clinical psychologist Paul Gilbert, CFT blends cognitive behavioral techniques with with insights from evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, and Buddhist philosophy. At it’s core, CFT aims to help people develop more compassion for themselves and others. It is not about self-pity or ignoring problems. Rather, it is about increasing sensitivity to suffering in yourself and others, with a deep commitment to alleviate and prevent it. It is active, brave, and deeply transformative.
Why compassion?
We are wired for compassion, but also for survival. We have 3 emotion regulation systems
- Threat system: Keeps us safe and alert to danger
- Drive system: Motivates us to pursue rewards and achievements
- Soothing system: Helps us feel safe, calm, and connected
For many people, the soothing system is underdeveloped and the threat system is overdeveloped in response to early childhood environments and traumatic experiences. Introducing compassion, helps develop the soothing system, creating more balance.
What happens in a Compassion Focused Therapy session?
- Understanding your inner critic: where it came from, how it protects you, and how to relate to it differently
- Soothing practices: breathwork, relaxation training, and other practices to strengthen one’s ability to self-soothe when distressed
- Working with shame: gently unpacking painful emotions in a safe and validating space
Who can benefit from CFT?
CFT was originally developed for those with high levels of shame and self-criticism, but has since been successfully used with those who have:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD and C-PTSD
- Eating Disorders
- Perfectionism
- Burn-out
- People pleasing
- Grief
- OCD
- Schizophrenia
- Anger issues
Final thoughts
Compassion is a strength and is usually found to be strongest in the most emotionally intelligent and mature people. It takes courage to face your pain and meet it with kindness instead of criticism. Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) offers tools that are backed by science and rooted in humanity.
No matter how harsh your inner critic has been, you can learn to treat yourself with the same warmth and care you would offer someone that you love and value.
For more information on Compassion Focused therapy, check out:
The Compassionate Mind Foundation
Benefits of Compassion Focused Therapy
Ready to get started?