Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is a therapeutic approach that aims to help those who struggle particularly with self critical thoughts and, or shame.
Self critical thoughts and shame typically come from early experiences. CFT teaches a person to cultivate the skills of self-compassion which can help regulate mood and lead to feelings of safety, self-acceptance, and comfort.
“One of it’s key concerns is to use compassionate mind training to help people develop and work with experiences of inner warmth, safeness and soothing, via compassion and self-compassion..” -Prof Paul Gilbert OBE
An experienced therapist may intergrade CFT practices and principles into your treatment alongside other approaches, such as CBT and ACT.
Some aspects of CFT are similar to mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in that it also instructs clients about the science behind the mind-body connection and how to practice mind and body awareness.
CFT helps us to understand, and work with, our ‘tricky’ brains. It builds our abilities to use our bodies to support our minds, and develop the courage and wisdom to address our life difficulties and thrive.
What is self compassion?
Self-compassion refers to the ability to be kind and understanding towards oneself, particularly in times of pain, struggle, or failure. It involves treating oneself with the same care and concern that one would offer to a good friend, and recognising that all human beings experience suffering and difficulties in life.
Self-compassion involves three main components:
self-kindness
common humanity
mindfulness
Self-kindness involves being gentle and understanding with oneself, rather than being self-critical or judgmental.
Common humanity involves recognising that one's experiences and struggles are shared by all human beings, rather than feeling isolated or alone.
Mindfulness involves being aware of one's thoughts and feelings in the present moment, without judging or reacting to them.
Together, these components can help individuals develop a greater sense of self-compassion and emotional well-being.
Who can Compassionate Focused Therapy (CFT) help?
CFT can be helpful for individuals who are struggling with difficult emotions, such as shame, guilt, or self-criticism.
CFT can be particularly useful for individuals who have experienced trauma or abuse, or who have a history of emotional neglect or invalidation. By helping individuals develop a greater capacity for self-compassion and empathy, CFT can support them in managing their difficult emotions and improving their mental health and well-being.
CFT can be helpful for people of all ages and backgrounds, and can be adapted to meet the specific needs and goals of each individual.
How does a CFT therapist help me develop more self compassion?
A trained therapist can help an individual develop more self-compassion by teaching them specific skills and techniques. These may include mindful awareness, self-soothing, and self-kindness practices, as well as guided imagery and visualisation exercises.
The therapist may also use techniques such as compassion-focused imagery or compassionate letter writing to help the individual connect with their compassionate self and develop a greater sense of empathy and understanding for themselves.
"Be kind to yourself. It's hard to be happy when someone is mean to you all the time."
This quote emphasises the importance of treating oneself with kindness and understanding, and the negative effects that self-criticism and judgment can have on one's happiness and well-being.
By providing a supportive and nonjudgmental environment, the therapist can help the individual explore and challenge their self-critical thoughts and behaviours, and develop more compassionate and understanding ways of relating to themselves.
What to learn more about CFT?
If you are interested in learning more about Compassionate Focused Therapy (CFT), you can find additional information at the Center for Compassion Focused Therapy (https://compassionatemind.co.uk/) and the Compassionate Mind Foundation.
CFT Trained Therapists at My Therapist Online
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At My Therapist Online, we listen to the problems you are facing and match you with the right therapist for your individual needs. You can meet with them for a free initial consultation to be sure it is a good match before starting your therapy.