An Introduction to Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

Write your awesome label here.
ABOUT THIS COURSE
This course explores how to integrate Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) into your clinical practice to deepen your work with clients stuck in shame and self-criticism. This six-part training provides a complete roadmap—from the evolutionary theory of our 'tricky brains' to powerful experiential exercises—for cultivating a compassionate mind.
  • Online
  • 6 hours
  • Self-directed

What you will learn

  • The core principles of Compassion Focused Therapy, including the evolutionary model of the 'tricky brain'

  • The three emotional systems (Threat, Drive, Soothing) and their role in psychological distress and wellbeing

  • How to recognise common fears, blocks, and resistances to compassion and apply strategies to work with them collaboratively

  • How to support clients in developing a more compassionate and de-shaming relationship with their self-critic and difficult emotions

  • How to apply practical CFT techniques to help clients develop compassionate thinking and reasoning

  • how to use experiential exercises, including imagery and chair work, to help clients develop a felt sense of compassion

  • Understand how the CFT model can be adapted for different clinical presentations

  • Reflect on how to integrate CFT principles into your existing practice

  

This course offers an introduction to Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), an integrative, science-backed psychotherapy grounded in evolutionary psychology, affective neuroscience, and compassionate mind training. Designed for practitioners working with clients experiencing high levels of shame, self-criticism, and difficulties with emotional regulation, often linked to trauma, the course explores the theoretical foundations of our 'tricky brains' and introduces practical skills to help clients cultivate an inner sense of safeness and self-kindness.

Through a series of focused presentations, learners will become familiar with the core CFT model, including the three emotional systems, social mentalities, and the cultivation of the Compassionate Self. Attention is also given to applying CFT to different clinical presentations and working with common challenges, such as clients' fears, blocks, and resistances to compassion.

By the end of this course, learners should feel more confident using CFT as an integrative and process-based framework to support clients in building a more supportive inner world and developing the courage and resilience to engage with life's challenges.