Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is an integrative, evidence-based approach developed by Professor Paul Gilbert. It combines evolutionary psychology, affective neuroscience, and attachment theory to help clients regulate emotion and reduce self-criticism. 

CFT focuses on activating the brain’s caregiving system, the same system that supports safety, connection, and wellbeing, so clients can face distress and suffering with courage and compassion rather than avoidance or self-attack.

Denis Tirch explains more in Embodying a Compassionate State.

Yes. Compassion Focused Therapy is designed to complement rather than replace other evidence-based approaches. Many clinicians integrate CFT principles into CBT, ACT, DBT, and psychodynamic work, using compassion as a guiding process for change.

Grounded in psychological and physiological science, CFT helps therapists bring warmth, courage, and care into the methods they already use, enhancing therapeutic presence, strengthening the alliance, and deepening emotional work across a wide range of client presentations.

Yes. CFT is supported by a growing body of research demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing shame, self-criticism, anxiety, depression, and trauma-related distress. Studies show that cultivating compassion promotes greater psychological flexibility, emotion regulation, and wellbeing.

The evidence continues to expand internationally, confirming CFT as a reliable, research-supported approach in clinical, health, and community settings.

This course is designed for mental health and health professionals, as well as coaches and educators who want a structured, evidence-based approach to working with self-criticism, shame, and trauma. It’s ideal for psychologists, therapists, counselors, psychiatrists, and other clinicians who wish to help clients develop greater emotional balance and resilience through compassion-focused methods.

This self-paced course features beautifully produced video lessons with Paul Gilbert and Dennis Tirch. You’ll see rich therapy demonstrations and experiential guidance that bring the CFT model to life. Alongside expert teaching, you’ll have access to downloadable resources and practice guides, with 12 months to explore and revisit the material at your own pace.

You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) model and how to apply it in practice. Through clear teaching and clinical demonstrations, you’ll learn how to help clients move from patterns of shame and self-attack toward courage, care, and self-compassion. Key areas of learning include:

• Using compassionate mind training to activate clients’ soothing and affiliative systems

• Working skillfully with shame and self-criticism as core maintaining processes

• Guiding experiential practices such as imagery, chairwork, and soothing rhythm breathing

• Integrating compassion-based strategies into work with anxiety, depression, trauma, and other emotional difficulties

By the end of the course, you’ll have practical tools for bringing compassion into the heart of your therapeutic work.

This on-demand course features beautifully produced video lessons with Paul Gilbert and Dennis Tirch. You’ll see rich therapy demonstrations and experiential guidance that bring the CFT model to life. 

Alongside expert teaching, you’ll have access to downloadable resources and practice guides, with 12 months to explore and revisit the material at your own pace.

No prior training is required. This course provides a comprehensive foundation for beginners and a valuable refresher for experienced clinicians. Whether you are new to CFT or already familiar with compassion-based methods, you’ll gain practical guidance and clinical insight from the approach’s founder and a leading trainer.