What Is Compassion-Focused Therapy?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Compassion-Focused Therapy?TechniquesWhat Compassion-Focused Therapy Helps WithBenefitsEffectivenessThings to ConsiderHow to Get Started

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is Compassion-Focused Therapy?

Techniques

What Compassion-Focused Therapy Helps With

Benefits

Effectiveness

Things to Consider

How to Get Started

Close

Compassion-focused therapy (CFT), or compassion mind training (CMF), is the concept of incorporatingcompassiontraining techniques into psychotherapy to introduce kinder thinking habits to the client.

This type of therapy emphasizes the importance of compassion andself-compassionin interactions with both the world and oneself. CFT stems from Buddhist values that stress the influence compassion has on others’ happiness as well as your own.

In CFT, clients develop skills that enable them to experience kindness towards themselves and consideration for others through the use ofmindfulness-based strategies.

CFT is similar tocognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), which explores identifying and reframing negative or harmful thoughts, but implements techniques that help establish traits like acceptance and self-respect in order to enhance self-assurance and positive emotion.

CFT is beneficial to those experiencing destructive thoughts,depression, oranxietyto combat feelings of shame and self-criticism.

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Techniques of Compassion-Focused Therapy

CFT techniques include exercises and tasks, such as those discussed below, along with homework, diary entries, and mindfulness/meditation practices.

Compassion Images

Compassion images exercises help clients gather an understanding of their image of compassion.

Individuals will be asked to express what their ideal depiction of compassion from another would be. They may be asked what compassion may look or sound like via facial expressions and tone of voice. They also have to associate words that connect to this image they created, such as “warm” or “strong.”

The person may also be asked to play the role of a deeply compassionate person and project that image through facial expressions, tone of voice, posture, and words. Clients are asked to picture compassionate images during moments when they may usually be self-critical.

Compassion Behavior Tasks

This is a form ofexposure therapywhere the client is exposed in their real life to the new behaviors that are being learned in therapy.They are directed to practice encouraging and sensitive expressions to themselves during fearful or awkward situations. This can help individuals learn to be kind to themselves during difficult circumstances.

These types of tasks are also important for clients to accept positive emotions. If an individual has become prone to feelings of guilt or fear during enjoyable moments, they can begin to practice more positive feelings at these times.

CFT helps an individual develop kinder approaches to how to view themselves and interact with others, void of blame and criticism.

CFT can be beneficial for those seeking support with the following conditions and concerns:

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Benefits of Compassion-Focused Therapy

CFT strategically trains an individual to develop skills that strengthen compassionate thinking, which enhances feelings of self-validation andempathy.

Compassion is generally considered to be caring about the suffering of others, but it also meansself-compassion, which is being kind to yourself as well. According to self-compassion expert and psychologist Kristen Neff, self-compassion is actually correlated with compassion for others and overall well-being.

Compassion for others and oneself is associated with greater mental and physical health benefits and enhances the overall quality of life. It enablespositive thinkinghabits, promotesemotional regulation, reduces stress, and improves relationship quality. Compassion is also linked to less anxiety, depression, and self-criticism.Additionally, compassion can produce healthier immune responses and helps maintain blood pressure and cortisol levels.

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CFT integrates different fields of psychology such asdevelopmental psychology,evolutionary psychology, Buddhist psychology, and neuropsychology models of compassion.All of these examine thebiological, environmental, and motivational contributions that innately drive us to engage in certain emotional and behavioral motives.

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Here is what might be helpful for you to consider before you begin CFT:

If you think the CFT may be beneficial to you, follow the steps below:

Self-Compassion Makes Life More Manageable

12 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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Gilbert P, Iron C.A pilot exploration of the use of compassionate images in a group of self-critical people.Memory.2004; 12(4):507-516. doi: 10.1080/09658210444000115

Leaviss J, Uttley L.Psychotherapeutic benefits of compassion-focused therapy: an early systematic review.Psychological Medicine. 2015; 45(5):927-945. doi:10.1017/S0033291714002141

Gross K, Allan S.Compassion focused therapy for eating disorders.HomeInternational Journal of Cognitive Therapy.2013;3(2). doi: 10.1521/ijct.2010.3.2.141

Lawrence VA, Lee D.An exploration of people’s experiences of compassion-focused therapy for trauma, using interpretative phenomenological analysis.Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy.2014; 21(6):495-507. doi:10.1002/cpp.1854

Grodin J. Clark JL, Kolts R, Lovejoy TI.Compassion focused therapy for anger: A pilot study of a group intervention for veterans with PTSD.Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science.2019; 13, 27–33.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2019.06.004

Neff, K.Self-compassion, self-esteem, and well-being.Social and Personality Psychology Compass.2011; 5(1):1-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-9004.2010.00330.x

Cosley BJ, McCoy SK, Saslow LR, Epel ES.Is compassion for others stress buffering? Consequences of compassion and social support for physiological reactivity to stress.Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.2010; 46:816-823.

Beaumont E, Martin CJH.A narrative review exploring the effectiveness of Compassion-Focused Therapy.The British Counseling Psychology Review.2015; 30(1).

Hannah Owens, LMSW

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