Compassion Focused Therapy

Deepen the role of compassion, courage, and wisdom in your therapy

About the course

Start date
Immediate access
Time
8 hours | Self-directed
Who this course is for
For Mental Health Professionals, Health Professionals & Coaches
Accreditation
8 CE / CME Credits

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.

There are 8 CE/CME credits available (see Learner Notification). Please see our FAQ to review complete CE/CME details, course objectives, speaker/planner conflict of interest disclosure and more.

Compassion Focused Therapy
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Organization Training Enquiries
Learn From the Founder 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 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

Denis Tirch - therapy demonstration

What You'll Learn

Course modules

Course excerpts

 
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How Your Course Works

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Frequently asked questions