馃挆Compassion-Focused Therapy
Paul Gilbert's approach cultivating self-compassion as an antidote to shame.
Imagery evoking Compassion-Focused Therapy, Paul Gilbert's approach cultivating self-compassion as an antidote to shame.
Symbolic imagery, generated with respect. No sacred ceremony or living person depicted.
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) was developed by Paul Gilbert to work with clients whose shame and self-criticism did not respond to standard CBT. It cultivates the compassionate self through imagery, breathing, and specific practices, drawing on evolutionary psychology, Buddhist compassion training, and attachment research. Strong evidence for shame-driven depression, eating disorders, and PTSD.
Insurance sometimes covers; $100, $220/session.
Estimates only. Many traditions offer sliding-scale, donation, or community access; sacred ceremonies are never for sale.
Distinguishing cultural belief, traditional practice, and evidence-supported effect where applicable.
Emotional
Trains the physiological soothing system.
Psychological
Strong evidence for shame-based distress.
Spiritual
Draws on Buddhist compassion training.
- Soothing rhythm breathing
- Compassionate image practice
- Working with the compassionate self
- Reading Paul Gilbert's The Compassionate Mind
Evidence, risks, and contraindications
Evidence supported
Elements of this practice have been studied in peer-reviewed research and show measurable benefits for specific concerns. Study quality varies, and the tradition itself is broader than what science has measured.
- Practitioner quality varies. This tradition is not licensed or regulated in most countries. Skill, ethics, and training vary widely between practitioners. Ask about lineage, training length, informed consent practices, and how safety concerns are handled.
This information is general education, not medical advice. Always share your full health history and current medications with the practitioner and with your regular healthcare provider before beginning something new.
What if I spoke to myself the way I would speak to a struggling friend?
Which of my critical voices is trying to protect me from something?
Written in the spirit of this tradition, held as invitations, not instructions. Take what serves your reflection.
What would a wise, warm friend say to me about what I am feeling now?
What in me is worthy of gentleness, even when I cannot see it?
Whose kindness taught me what compassion sounds like?
Traditions that share needs, practices, or cultural context with this one. Explore with respect for each lineage's origins.
A model developed by Richard Schwartz that meets the inner 'parts' of the self with curiosity.
- Curated companion
- Shared needs: trauma, depression, self-criticism
- Similar practices: working, reading
A modern behavioral therapy pairing acceptance and mindfulness with values-based action.
- Curated companion
- Shared needs: depression
- Similar practices: working
Movement as the primary language of healing, an established creative-arts therapy.
- Shared needs: trauma, eating disorders, depression
- Similar practices: working
The eight-limbed path from India, posture, breath, ethics, and meditation as one whole.
- Shared needs: depression, trauma
- Similar practices: practice, working
An approach from Michael White and David Epston that separates the person from the problem.
- Shared needs: depression
- Similar practices: self, working
- Same tradition type
Present-moment, non-judging awareness, Buddhist in root, now a global evidence-based practice.
- Shared needs: depression
- Similar practices: practice, reading
- Same tradition type