Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) helps anyone who struggles with feelings of shame, self-criticism, low self-esteem, a history of being bullied/abused, feelings of anxiety/panic, and finding it difficult to trust others. CFT can help you to learn how to feel warmer, kinder and more supportive towards yourself by developing skills in compassion.

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CFT believes that we all have systems which determine how we feel and relate to others and the world. These systems are the 'threat' system (protection focused), the 'drive' system (excitement focused), and the 'contentment' system (soothing/safety focused).  Often people who struggle with the difficulties mentioned above are working too hard in their threat and drive systems, but not using their contentment system - leaving them feeling exhausted and unsafe.

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CFT involves a range of techniques to focus your attention, reasoning skills, feelings, and behaviours to make compassionate choices. This could involve looking at memories and focusing on the times others were good to us, or learning how to focus attention on the good in people. It may also involve learning to spot and reduce strategies we do to keep ourselves ‘safe’ and learning to try things that might require courage but lead us towards our life goals. Other helpful techniques involve compassionate imagery, compassionate letter writing and empty chair and role play work. This work is done gently and at your pace, and is tailored to the individual depending on their needs.

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If you would like to book in with one of the team who are trained in this approach, please get in touch with us via email, phone or through the website.