Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), is a research-based therapy founded on a combination of principles from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Evolutionary Psychology and Attachment Theory. It was developed to work specifically with clients who had high levels of shame and self-criticism and who had had early experiences of poor attachment, affiliation and affection. By developing care and affiliative focused motivation, attention, emotion, behaviour and thinking CFT begins to address these problems.
Dr Chris Irons is a Clinical Psychologist, and Deputy-Lead for Adult Mental Health in Tower Hamlets, London, UK. Chris is a board member of the Compassionate Mind Foundation, and a Founder of “Balanced Minds”. Chris is an author of five books. He regularly presents to academic, professional and lay audiences on CFT and more broadly, the science of compassion.**
Over the two days delegates will be introduced to the fundamental principles of CFT along with its research and theoretical base. Practical skills within CFT will also be demonstrated with associated practice opportunities for delegates and will be accompanied by filmed examples.
This two-day practical course covers:
- The Origins of CFT
- Psychoeducation – evolutionary psychology, the ‘tricky brain’, & the affect regulation model
- Shame and self-criticism – how it’s understood and worked with from the CFT perspective
- Compassion – definition, qualities & origin
- Developing skills – attention, mindfulness, imagery, compassion
- Putting compassion to work
The course includes live and video demonstrations, high quality course materials, worksheets.
Course tutor
Dr Chris Irons
Clinical Psychologist, Director of Balanced Minds
Dr Chris Irons is a clinical psychologist, researcher, writer and trainer specialising in Compassion Focused Therapy. He is co-director of Balanced Minds, a London based organisation providing compassion-focused psychological interventions for individuals and organisations. He also works for the Compassionate Mind Foundation, and as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Derby.
Course structure
- Full Course Video
- Full course materials as a PDF (downloadable)
- Personalised Certificate for 14 CPD Hours