About compassion-focused therapy

Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on increasing self-compassion (feeling sorry for oneself) and reducing self-criticism in people struggling with issues such as depression, anxiety, and shame. Compassion-focused therapy is often helpful for people who set very high goals for themselves and are rarely satisfied with themselves or their achievements. Psychologist Paul Gilbert is considered the founder of compassion-focused therapy, who designed this form of psychotherapy to encourage positive emotions and self-compassion, helping individuals overcome destructive inner criticism and negative thinking patterns.

Compassion-focused therapy is closely related to cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness, and its principles are also based on the results of scientific research in the field of neuroscience. This psychotherapy approach uses various exercises and visualizations that aim to activate our calming systems and create a sense of security. Unlike cognitive-behavioral therapy, which some criticize for its limited focus on emotions, compassion-focused therapy is also open to studying and accepting our emotions. The ultimate goal of this psychotherapy approach is for the client to develop warmth and understanding towards themselves, which will lead to greater resilience to stress and increased well-being. In other words - to develop a compassionate "inner voice" that will replace our "inner critic" and allow us not to be too harsh and harsh on ourselves.

Scientific research supports the effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy in improving mental health and reducing feelings of shame and self-criticism, making it useful for anyone who wants to develop a healthier relationship with themselves. You can find more about the results of such research at: