Introduction to Compassion-Focused Therapy

CCARE & Palo Alto University are proud to present: A two-day clinical training workshop with Drs. Paul Gilbert & Yotam Heineberg. (Includes 12 hours of APA-approved Continuing Education Units.) This workshop is open to psychotherapists, students, life coaches, and anyone interested in this line of work.

CCARE & Palo Alto University are proud to present: A two-day clinical training workshop with Drs. Paul Gilbert & Yotam Heineberg. (Includes 12 hours of APA-approved Continuing Education Units.)

This workshop is open to psychotherapists, students, life coaches, and anyone interested in this line of work.

It is well-known that shame and self-criticism can be difficult problems to treat in a range of psychological problems and may even prevent people from seeking help. CFT was specifically developed with and for individuals with these difficulties, in part by helping them develop a compassionate orientation to themselves and others by elaborating on cognitive behavioral strategies. CFT is an evolutionary and neuroscience-based approach to psychotherapy that articulates how the evolution of affiliative emotion regulates threat-processing and self-identities. CFT integrates evidence-based therapies with the basic insight that the emotions activated during change processes are as important as processes themselves. CFT has a growing empirical evidence to support its efficacy in a broad range of complex cases, including trauma and rigid personality structures. The workshop will cover the basic concepts of CFT with PowerPoint presentations and video displays. In addition, it will guide participants through some experiential practices with the use of behavioral and imagery practices.

By the end of the workshop participants will have:

• An overview of the evolutionary model that underpins CFT

• Insight into the three types of affect regulation systems (threat, drive and soothing)

• Insight into the complexities and conflicts within the threat system processing, including multiple selves and the methods and supporting capacities to make contact with the compassionate self.

• Insight into the role of attachment and affiliative mechanisms in affect change

• Insight into the CFT model of compassion which is based on two different psychologies: 1) Capacities for engagement with suffering and 2) Acquiring the wisdom and abilities to alleviate and prevent suffering.

Some experiences of core CFT exercises will include:

• Soothing breathing rhythm and body focusing

• Development of the applied concept of compassionate self

• Development of compassionate imagery

• Using the compassionate self to engage threat system processing