Therapeutic approach
Compassion-Focused Therapy
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) is a psychotherapeutic approach developed by Dr Paul Gilbert. It brings together evolutionary psychology, social neuroscience, developmental psychology, and mindfulness practices to help people use compassion as a resource for emotional wellbeing.
Find your therapistWhat is Compassion-Focused Therapy?
CFT develops compassion toward yourself and others as a way of working with difficult emotions. It can be especially helpful when shame and a harsh inner critic make other forms of change feel difficult.
How it works
- Understand how the brain and emotional regulation systems work
- Develop a compassionate stance toward yourself and other people
- Use mindfulness, visualisation, breathing, and relaxation practices
- Work directly with shame and self-criticism
- Strengthen a compassionate sense of self
- Balance the threat, drive, and soothing emotional systems
What it can support
- Depression and anxiety
- Shame, perfectionism, and persistent self-criticism
- Eating disorders and body-image difficulties
- Bipolar and personality disorders
- Trauma and PTSD
- Low self-esteem, chronic stress, and relationship difficulties
Core ideas
- Three emotional systems: threat, drive, and soothing
- Self-compassion: a gentler and more caring relationship with yourself
- The compassionate mind: seeing yourself and others through a steadier perspective
- Compassionate imagery: using visualisation to cultivate warmth and safety
- Recognising shame and self-criticism as barriers to compassion
Duration and goals
CFT may be short- or long-term. A focused course is often 8–12 sessions, while more complex concerns can take longer. The aim is lasting change in how you respond to stress, alongside greater calm, connection, and self-acceptance.
What the research says
The source document reports encouraging outcomes across depression, anxiety, self-criticism, eating disorders, and trauma. Results vary between people and depend on factors such as the concern being treated and active practice between sessions.
Compassion-Focused Therapy at Bliss
Some Bliss psychologists are trained in CFT and can include it within a personalised treatment plan. It can be particularly useful when self-acceptance, shame, or self-criticism sit at the centre of what you are experiencing.
Questions people ask
How long does CFT usually take?
A focused course often lasts 8–12 sessions, although complex or long-standing concerns may need more time.
Do I need to be good at mindfulness?
No. Your therapist introduces each practice gradually and adapts it to what feels manageable for you.
Often overlaps with
Selected sources
- Gilbert, P., & Procter, S. (2006). Compassionate mind training for people with high shame and self-criticism. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 13(6), 353–379.
- Leaviss, J., & Uttley, L. (2015). Psychotherapeutic benefits of compassion-focused therapy. Psychological Medicine, 45(5), 927–945.
- Kirby, J. N., et al. (2017). A meta-analysis of compassion-based interventions. Behavior Therapy, 48(6), 778–792.
- Goss, K., & Allan, S. (2014). Compassion-focused therapy for eating disorders. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 53(1), 62–77.
- Au, T. M., et al. (2017). Compassion-based therapy for trauma-related shame and posttraumatic stress. Behavior Therapy, 48(2), 207–221.
- Braehler, C., et al. (2013). Compassion focused therapy in psychosis. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 52(2), 199–214.
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