Workshop
Mentalizing and Compassion for Complex Trauma (Pre Conference Workshop)
This is one day hybrid workshop with Prof Patrick Luyten that will be delivered in Birmingham and online
About this workshop
This is a one day hybrid workshop that will take place on 12th October 2026 at Millenium Point in Birmingham (with livestream access), and is part of our 15th International Conference (but can be booked separately.
For more information about our conference program please visit: https://www.compassionatemind.co.uk/cmf-conference-2026
Complex trauma is associated with pervasive disturbances in affect regulation, self and interpersonal functioning. Individuals with a history of complex trauma frequently struggle with difficulties in understanding their own and others’ mental states, while also experiencing intense shame, self-criticism, and threat-based responses that maintain psychological distress across diagnostic categories.
This workshop explores the integration of mentalizing and compassion as complementary processes in the treatment of complex trauma. In this workshop I will first provide an overview of key principles of Trauma-Focused Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT-TF), a treatment approach that aims to restore and strengthen mentalizing capacities and epistemic trust, two psychological capacities that are often compromised in the context of traumatic experiences and attachment disruptions. Core treatment principles, including the maintenance of a mentalizing stance, regulation of arousal, and the gradual exploration of traumatic experiences within a relational framework, will be discussed.
Building on this foundation, the workshop will examine compassion as a transdiagnostic therapeutic process that may enhance trauma recovery. Drawing on principles from Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), we will consider how cultivating compassion for self and others can address shame, self-criticism, and persistent threat responses. Conceptual links between mentalizing and compassion will be explored, highlighting how both approaches may promote mentalizing, epistemic trust, emotion regulation, interpersonal connectedness, and a more coherent sense of self.
Clinical examples and practical applications based on participants’ own therapeutic work will be used to illustrate these principles.
What you'll learn
Integrating mentalizing and compassion as complementary processes in the treatment of complex trauma
Key principles of Trauma-Focused Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT-TF)
Exploring compassion as a transdiagnostic therapeutic process to enhance trauma recovery
Who this workshop is for
Mental Healthcare Practitioners
Those working with trauma
Meet your instructor
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Recommended Material
FAQs
Find answers to common questions about this workshop.
We understand that, due to time differences, it may not be possible for you to attend all of this training live with us. With that in mind, the workshop will be recorded, and you'll have access to the recordings for up to three months after the live broadcast to watch in your own time.
If you're unable to attend for the entire duration, please email hello@compassionatemind.co.uk to let us know, as non-attendees will not receive a certificate unless we are informed of your circumstances.
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
Due to the interactive nature of this workshop, and particularly that it will contain a lot of group work, we feel you'd be missing too much of its value if you cannot participate live. So all delegates will need to attend live. Any delegates that have signed up but don't attend will not receive a CPD certificate.
Please get in touch at hello@compassionatemind.co.uk if you can now longer attend this workshop and need to change your booking.
Still have questions?
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