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Compassion Focused Therapy

Learn how to deepen the role of compassion, courage, and wisdom in your therapy in this online course with the founder of CFT Paul Gilbert, and leading trainer Denis Tirch.

Two men are standing side by side, facing the camera. The man on the left has gray hair and a mustache, wearing a dark blue shirt. The man on the right has a bald head and a short beard, dressed in a black pinstriped suit with a white shirt. In the backgr

About the course

4.3
Start date
Immediate access
Length
8 hours | On-Demand (12 months access)
Who this course is for
For Mental Health Professionals, Health Professionals & Coaches
Accreditation
8 CE / CME CreditsSee all accreditation details
Organization Enquiries
Find out more

Many clients come to therapy burdened by harsh self-criticism, deep shame, or the lingering effects of trauma. Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) offers a powerful way to help, by awakening the caring motivational system that supports emotional regulation, healing, and resilience.

This self-paced course gives you a practical, in-depth introduction to the CFT approach, developed by Professor Paul Gilbert. You’ll learn directly from Paul and internationally respected CFT trainer Dennis Tirch as they guide you through the theory, techniques, and clinical application of compassion-focused work.

Compassion Focused Therapy
$390
Enroll now
Learn From the Founder of CFT and Leading Trainer

Paul Gilbert Founder of Compassion Focused Therapy and internationally renowned clinical psychologist. Paul is a pioneer in the science of compassion and author of The Compassionate Mind. His work integrates evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, and psychotherapy to help clients move from shame and self-criticism toward healing and emotional balance.

Dennis Tirch Director of The Center for Compassion Focused Therapy in New York and leading CFT trainer. Dennis is known for his clear, experiential teaching style and practical focus. A close collaborator of Paul Gilbert, he brings deep clinical insight into applying compassion-based techniques across a range of client presentations.

Paul Gilbert and Denis Tirch
Help Clients Shift Out of Shame and Self-Criticism

CFT draws on evolutionary psychology, affective neuroscience, and attachment theory to address patterns of threat, avoidance, and self-attack. Through clear instruction and rich clinical demonstrations, you’ll learn how to:

  • Use compassionate mind training to strengthen clients’ inner support systems

  • Work skillfully with shame and self-criticism as core clinical processes

  • Guide practices including imagery, chairwork, and soothing rhythm breathing

  • Help clients engage with difficult emotions from a place of warmth and courage

  • Integrate compassion-based strategies across anxiety, depression, trauma, and more

Whether you're new to CFT or looking to build confidence using it with clients, this course gives you a step-by-step foundation for bringing compassion bringing compassion into your clinical work.

illustration of chairwork
Your CFT Learning Experience Includes

  • Expert instruction from Paul Gilbert and Dennis Tirch

  • High-quality video lessons that explain theory and guide application

  • Clinical demonstrations of CFT in action

  • Downloadable resources and practice guides to support integration

  • Self-paced format with 12 months of access

If you would like to request an invoice, please fill out the form here.

Denis Tirch - therapy demonstration

What You'll Learn

Course modules

Course excerpts

 

What People Say About This Course

4.3
110 participant ratings
89.2%
Would recommend this course to a colleague.
Gerald A. PantojaPsychologist - Yonkers, NY, USA

I feel like my confidence in integrating CFT into my practice has increased immensely from this course. Also, I love the demonstrations, It helps me put the skills learned in the CFT course in context. If you're having doubts about how to implement CFT, this course offers a fabulous foundation to build from.

Bronwyn SudholzPsychologist - Ballarat Victoria, Australia

It is interactive, a great way to learn, and has excellent content. It's practically helpful for you and your clients.

Dania DemauroSocial Worker - Tempe, AZ, USA

I had never heard of compassion-focused therapy and I love the biological theories that underline the treatment and all the exercise. I am a DBT practitioner and have been finding it extremely helpful in my practice. Also, the whole thing is great, all the information and videos and the library are great as well. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to support their clients to build compassion and also highly recommend to learn the science that supports the intervention.

Dahlia EnochSocial Worker - Roxby Downs South Australia, Australia

I have training in CBT and ACT but the compassionate angle gives me a new perspective and possible new ways of working better with some of my clients.

Barbara BeaverPsychologist - Madison, WI, USA

I most enjoyed the personal application as I think about how this fits with what I already know or do and how it might be applied in my life.

Dragan DjerfiPsychologist - Zagreb, Croatia

It is really informative with lots of examples. CFT can be a great addition to your everyday professional practice.

Continuing Education & Professional Development (CE/CME/CPD)

Compassion Focused Therapy is designed for mental health professionals, health professionals and coaches worldwide. On completion you'll receive an official certificate of completion, which can be submitted to registration bodies for CPD.

This course is accredited for 8 CE/CME credit hours for US licensed professionals:

  • Psychologists - 8 CE hours, APA — co-sponsored with Amedco, an APA-approved sponsor

  • Social workers - 8 general CE credits, ASWB ACE

  • Physicians - 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, ACCME

  • Nurses - 8 contact hours, ANCC

  • Counselors, MFTs & addiction professionals - 8 hours, accepted by most US state boards via APA and ASWB ACE credit - see the state-by-state list

  • Approved CE activity with the New York State boards for Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, and Marriage & Family Therapy.

View the full learner notification for this course (PDF) — includes complete accreditation statements, state board acceptance lists, learning objectives and faculty disclosures.

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How Your Course Works

Frequently asked questions

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