This workshop will be 21 hours towards your CPD, and you will receive a certificate of attendance shortly after the workshop. This workshop will be recorded.
This workshop will take place over 3 Fridays in March 2026 as follows:
Day 1 Friday 13th March 2026 : 09:30 - 17.00
Day 2 Friday 20th March 2026: 09.30 - 17:00
Day 3 Friday 27th March 2026: 09.30 - 17.00
All timings are according to UK GMT
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is now one of the fastest expanding psychological therapies, with a steadily growing evidence base. A recent meta-analysis based on 7,875 Participants, from 17 countries over 14 years found that CFT was effective in reducing overall negative mental health outcomes, depression, self-criticism and in improving compassion for self and others (Petrocchi et al, 2023).
In this workshop which will provide a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of CFT, participants will learn how compassion can have an impact on our bodies, brains, minds and social relationships, and how we can bring this into our therapeutic work. The CFT model draws on a number of different approaches and insights, such as evolutionary approaches to the origins of our ‘tricky’ brain with a complex of motives and emotions, and this workshop will guide participants to explore three basic emotion regulation systems which are those for:
1. dealing with stresses and threats
2. those that are associated with the achievements and rewards, and
3. those that are associated with settling, social connectedness and feeling safe.
CFT utilises insights from attachment theory, emotion and body focused approaches, and cognitive behavioural frameworks. Participants will learn how compassion is viewed as a basic algorithm defined as sensitivity to suffering in self and others, with a commitment to alleviate and prevent it, and how we use this in therapeutic work. Workshop trainers will guide participants in understanding what is necessary to be able to develop empathic sensitivity, courage and wisdom to take effective actions to address the sources of mental and physical suffering.
Trainers will also guide participants through the basic elements and foundations of CFT and Compassionate Mind Training (CMT) to explore the three flows of compassion (developing compassion for others, being open to the compassion from others and developing self-compassion) and how these dimensions of compassion can be met with fears, blocks and resistances, and how we can work with this. There will be a focus also on how we can use a compassion focused approach to work with the transdiagnostic problems of shame and self criticism.
-The origins and development of Compassion Focused Therapy, and how compassion is defined and understood
-Understanding of Compassionate Mind Training
- Introduction to an evolutionary model of human psychology and its influence on vulnerability to difficulties
-The role of social mentalities, and how this can inform our understanding of human behaviour and experience
- The role of attachment and how the presence/absence of early secure base and safe haven impacts development and capacities for compassion cultivation
-Key areas of psychoeducation, including ‘the tricky brain’ and the three circle model of emotion regulation
- Compassion as flow: compassion to others, being open to compassion from others and self-compassion
- Practices that stimulate compassion focused brain states and build a sense of a compassionate self identity
- How to use CFT and CMT work with shame and hostile self-criticism
Online via Zoom
Cozolino, L. (2007). The Neuroscience of Human Relationships: Attachment and the Developing Brain. New York: Norton
Dalai Lama. (1995). The Power of Compassion. India: HarperCollins.
Fredrickson, B,L., Cohn, M,A., Coffey, K,A, Pek, J., & Finkel. S,A. (2008). Open hearts build lives: positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness mediation, build consequential personal resources, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95, 1045-62. You can download this via academia.edu by clicking here.
Gerhardt, S. (2004). Why Love Matters. How Affection Shapes a Baby’s Brain. London: Bruner-Routledge.
Germer, C. (2009). The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions. New York: Guilford.
Gilbert, P. (2018) Living Like Crazy. Annwyn House
Gilbert, P. (ed) (2017) Compassion: Concepts, Research and Application. Routledge
Gilbert, P. (2010) Compassion Focused Therapy Distinctive Features Series. London: Routledge
Gilbert. P. (2009). The Compassionate Mind. Robinson
Gilbert P. (2007). Psychotherapy and Counselling for Depression (3rd edition): London. Sage.
Gilbert, P. (2000) Social mentalities: Internal ‘social’ conflicts & the role of inner-warmth & compassion in cognitive therapy. In P.Gilbert & K.G. Bailey (Eds). Genes on the Couch: Explorations in Evolutionary Psychotherapy. London: Routledge.
Gilbert, P. & Irons, C. (2005). Therapies for shame and self-attacking, using cognitive, behavioural, emotional imagery, and compassionate mind training. In P.Gilbert (Ed) Compassion: Conceptualisations, Research and use in Psychotherapy. London: Routledge.
Glasser, A. (2005). A Call to Compassion: Bringing Buddhist Practices of the Heart into the Soul of Psychotherapy. Berwick Maine: Nicolas-Hays.
Irons, C. & Beaumont, E. (2017) The Compassionate Mind Workbook. Robinson
Kolts, R. L. (2016) CFT Made Simple: A Clinician's Guide to Practising Compassion Focused Therapy. New Harbinger.
Leary, M.R., Tate, E.B., Adams, C.E., Allen, A.B. & Hancock, J. (2007). Self-Compassion and reactions to unpleasant self-relevant events: The implications of treating oneself kindly. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92, 887-904. There are optoins to access this article by clicking here.
Lee, D. (2005) The perfect nurturer: A model to develop a compassionate mind within the context of cognitive therapy. In P.Gilbert (Ed) Compassion: Conceptualisations, Research and use in Psychotherapy. London: Routledge
Mikulincer, M. & Shaver, P.R. (2007) Attachment in Adulthood: Structure, Dynamics, and Change. New York: Guilford
Welford, M. (2016) Compassion Focused Therapy for Dummies. John Wiley & Sons.
To see the full range of Compassion Focused Therapy and Compassionate Mind related books, please click here.
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All attendees will received a certificate upon completion of the course. This will be emailed to you, so please ensure that your details are correct on registration.
Our staff will take a register on each day of the workshop and any non-attendees will not receive a certificate. If you are unable to attend for any reason, please get in touch at hello@compassionatemind.co.uk
Yes, this course is suitable for those who are new to CFT, although some knowledge of the basics may be helpful.
Yes, towards the bottom of the page under the 'prices' section you will find a link to download a booking form for this workshop. Please fill this in and email to Binita.Shah@compassionatemind.co.uk
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All places booked for our event, must be paid for prior to attending the event unless pre-agreed with management. Please note that we cannot confirm your place until we have received payment.
Should you be unable to attend the event, please contact our admin team as soon as possible via hello@compassionatemind.co.uk. Refunds, less the Eventbrite administration fee, will be made if cancellations are received in writing up to one month before the event. Any cancellations received after this time will not be eligible for a refund, although we will consider exceptional circumstances. While refunds for failure to attend cannot be made, you can transfer your event fee to a future event that will take place within 12 months of your booking without an additional penalty.
Please note that information about the event and venue are subject to change and cancellation. Occasionally, an event may have to be cancelled or postponed. We will endeavour to inform you of any changes and cancellations as soon as possible via email. We cannot take responsibility for any resulting costs you may incur for travel, accommodation, any other related goods or service or other compensation should an event cancellation occur.
For all face-to-face events, lunch provided at the event will be vegetarian and will include eggs, but no meat or fish (though vegan options will also be made available). However, please advise us of any dietary requirements in the notes section whilst booking online and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
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