A step-by-step guide to Compassion Focused Therapy!
- Learn to deliver Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) in group and individual settings
- Find new practical examples, scripts and handouts to supercharge your CFT practice
- Confidently build your skills in the core CFT processes with an easy-to-read guide
What is Compassion
In CFT, the definition we use for compassion is, “the sensitivity to suffering in self and others, with a commitment to alleviate and prevent it”. This definition emphasises two key aspects, first to engage with suffering, and then secondly to start to try and do something to help alleviate or prevent suffering.
Wisdom
We just happen to find ourselves here as part of the flow of life, with a tricky brain that can get caught up in angry or worry loops, and this is not our fault
Courage
Strength comes from our compassionate body posture, our breathing, which allows us to cultivate a sense of groundedness
Commitment
We try whenever we can to be kind and compassionate to the suffering we experience and that we see around us; we try to prevent and alleviate the suffering in a wise way – this is a journey which requires our commitment
What is Compassion Focused Therapy?
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is a process-based, evolutionary-informed, biopsychosocial therapeutic approach that cultivates compassionate motivation for ourselves and others.
CFT uniquely promotes the flows of compassion (other-to-self, self-to-other, and self-to-self) to help face and alleviate suffering, treat mental health problems, and increase well-being.
The core of compassion in CFT is the courage and wisdom to both engage with suffering and work out what to do that would be helpful.
To get a feel for CFT, check out the video below!
“Compassion is the courage to descend into the reality of human experience.”
– Paul Gilbert
Niki Petrocchi
Niki Petrocchi*, PhD, PsyD, is a psychotherapist, researcher, adjunct professor of Psychology at John Cabot University (Rome), the founder and director of Compassionate Mind Italia, and an international trainer of Compassion Focused Therapy.
James Kirby
James Kirby*, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and Co-Director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at the University of Queensland. In 2022, he authored Choose Compassion. He is an international trainer of Compassion Focused Therapy.
Beatrice Baldi
Beatrice Baldi, PhD scholar, is a clinical psychologist, 500H-certified Yoga teacher certified in Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness, and a trainer in CFT. She has been collaborating for several years with Dr. Niki Petrocchi in spreading a Compassion-focused approach to yoga.