Compassion Focused Therapy

Abstract

It has been described as part of the growing movement in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which embraces compassion, mindfulness, imagery, and eastern philosophies as integral parts of psychological therapy (Gale et al., 2014;Gilbert, 2009aGilbert, , 2014. Although sharing some similar principles with CBT (Westbrook, Kennerley, & Kirk, 2011), CFT differs in its philosophical underpinnings, understanding of psychological difficulties, and technical application. CFT aims to help people regulate affect and distress, and alleviate suffering, through the cultivation of compassion (Gilbert, 2010).