Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)

CFT is a therapeutic approach that uses the power of compassion to help people dealing with self-criticism, shame, and emotional difficulties. Developed by Dr. Paul Gilbert, it combines understanding from evolution, brain science, and psychology to help us make sense of our emotional responses.

The therapy recognizes that our brains have evolved in ways that can sometimes make us overly self-critical while making it hard to be kind to ourselves. CFT helps people develop a more compassionate inner voice, teaching specific skills to soothe emotional pain and build self-understanding.

Research shows CFT is effective for various challenges, particularly depression, anxiety, trauma, and eating disorders. It helps people understand that their struggles aren't personal failures but natural human responses. By learning to be more compassionate with ourselves, we can build emotional resilience and reduce psychological distress.

Reference: Gilbert, P., & Simos, G. (Eds.). (2022). Compassion focused therapy: Clinical practice and applications. Routledge.