Compassion Focused Therapy

What is CFT?
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is an evidence-based psychological approach designed to help individuals who struggle with self-criticism, shame, or a harsh inner voice. It supports the development of self-compassion, emotional resilience, and a more balanced, caring relationship with oneself and others.

Core Principles of CFT:

Our emotional minds are shaped by evolution and not always our fault.
We all have a "threat system" that can dominate our inner world—especially when shame or self-criticism is high.
Cultivating compassion can soothe the threat system and promote psychological healing.

What CFT Can Help With:

Chronic shame and self-criticism
Depression and anxiety
Trauma and PTSD
Eating disorders
Low self-esteem and perfectionism

How CFT Works:
CFT helps clients understand the emotional systems that drive their difficulties and learn skills to activate the “soothing system” through:

Mindfulness and grounding techniques
Imagery and compassion-focused exercises
Building a compassionate inner voice
Exploring fears or blocks around giving and receiving compassion

Treatment

What to Expect:

A warm, non-judgmental therapeutic space
Exercises designed to foster emotional safety and self-kindness
A balance of insight and practical skills for daily life
Focus on the body, mind, and emotions as an integrated system

Why Choose CFT?
CFT is particularly helpful for those who find traditional cognitive approaches difficult due to high levels of self-blame or emotional shame. It offers a deeply human, neuroscience-informed path to greater psychological wellbeing through the power of compassion.

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Meet The Team

At Dr Stuart Psychologists, all of our psychologists have extensive training to doctoral level and decades of experience in their field of expertise. You will be matched with a psychologist that has the knowledge and skill to help you understand and overcome your problem - not just in the short term but for good.