An introduction to compassion focused therapy (CPD11)
Learn how to develop a compassionate mind and help others cultivate a more compassionate relationship with themselves and their distress
This online course provides an introduction to ideas and approaches of compassion focused therapy (CFT). It was developed by Professor Paul Gilbert to work with people with severe and enduring mental health problems, many of whom had high levels of shame and self-criticism.
Research has highlighted that shame and self-criticism are transdiagnostic e.g. higher levels are found in people with depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, PTSD, and can accentuate and maintain these disorders. Moreover, high levels of self-criticism have also been found to limit the effectiveness of standard therapies.
One reason for such difficulties is that people may not have developed abilities to experience certain affiliative positive emotions such as safeness, reassurance and compassion. These individuals often come from abusive/bullying, neglectful and/or critical backgrounds. Compassion focused therapy was developed with, and for, people from such backgrounds who find it difficult to stimulate certain types of positive emotion.
Aims and learning objectives
At the end of the workshop, you will be able to:
- explain how evolutionary concepts can be used to help us understand psychopathology and psychotherapy processes
- distinguish different types of positive emotions e.g. activating versus soothing emotional experiences
- describe the importance of the attachment system and its link to the experience of vulnerability
- discriminate the two psychologies of compassion: engagement and alleviation
- work in the affiliative soothing system by utilising compassion focused imagery and process (different ‘flows’ of compassion)
- explore how the fears, blocks and resistances to compassion can be an important part of working in a CFT perspective
- explain the complexities of threat processing, and our ‘multiple selves’
- utilise compassion focusing on a variety of common therapeutic interventions
Who is this course for?
This course is suitable for any professional interested in how they can use the ideas of CFT in their work, which might include:
- psychologist
- psychotherapists
- talking therapists
- nurses
- social workers
- psychiatrists
- occupational therapists
- teachers
Course details
The next course will run on:
| Sessions | Date | Start time | End time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1/2 | To be confirmed – please register your interest to be informed as soon as new dates are available. | 5.00pm | |
| Session 2/2 |
This course will be delivered remotely using Zoom and the sessions will not be recorded.
You will need a device with a microphone and camera together with a suitably fast internet connection. Although mobile devices and tablets can be used, we recommend the use of a laptop or desktop PC for the best experience. Some devices provided by employers may have restrictions in place. Please use this Zoom test link to check your set up before booking.
You will be sent the necessary login link about a week before the course start date. Should you have any concerns about the accessibility of remote delivery please contact us to discuss how we can best help you.
During this online training, you will learn about the model underpinning CFT, rooted in evolutionary understanding of the development of the mind, neuroscience, neurophysiological and attachment research, helping to understand the nature of our three basic emotions regulation systems.
We will also explore various definitions and components of compassion, and how by developing a ‘compassionate mind’, we can help people to cultivate a more compassionate relationship with themselves and their distress.
Participants will learn about the key skills and approaches used in CFT to develop a compassionate mind, including compassion-based imagery, the development of a compassionate self and how compassion may be ‘put to work’ to engage in distress and suffering.
Workshop approaches will include:
- didactic teaching
- small and large group discussion
- individual experiential practice
- skills practice
- video clips
Testimonials
Course facilitators
-
Chris Irons
Clinical psychologist
Register your interest
Bookings are now closed. Register your interest to join our waiting list and be the first to hear when this course reopens.