What is CFT Therapy?
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) is a therapeutic approach that integrates principles of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) with mindfulness practices and compassion-building exercises. CFT is particularly effective for individuals who experience high levels of shame, self-criticism, and feelings of low self-worth. It focusses on helping people cultivate self-compassion and improve their ability to manage difficult emotions, ultimately fostering a more balanced and resilient emotional state.
The approach is grounded in the understanding that many people, particularly those with trauma histories or harsh self-judgments, have underdeveloped self-soothing capacities, making it difficult to navigate life’s challenges with kindness toward themselves.
Compassion Focussed Therapy
Key components of Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT)
Self-Compassion Development
CFT guides individuals in developing a kinder, more understanding relationship with themselves. It encourages self-compassion especially when encountering setbacks, mistakes, or painful emotions, helping to shift the inner dialogue from self-criticism to self-support.
Understanding Emotions
CFT delves into how emotions such as shame, guilt, and self-criticism impact mental health and well-being. It helps individuals recognise how these emotions are often linked to early life experiences and survival mechanisms, providing insight into why they persist and how to address them.
Soothing System Activation
A core aim of CFT is to stimulate the brain’s soothing system, which is associated with feelings of safety, contentment, and calm. This process helps counterbalance the brain’s natural threat-focused responses, reducing stress, anxiety, and hyperarousal.
Mindfulness
FT incorporates mindfulness practices that encourage present-moment awareness without judgment. By learning to observe thoughts and emotions as they arise, individuals can better manage overwhelming feelings and cultivate a non-reactive attitude toward distress.
Compassionate Imagery
CFT uses visualisation techniques to help individuals evoke a sense of warmth, safety, and compassion. Through imagining supportive figures or safe places, these exercises help to activate soothing emotional states and can make it easier to access feelings of compassion toward oneself and others.
Balancing Emotional Systems
CFT emphasises creating harmony among the three key emotional systems: the threat system (associated with fear and protection), the drive system (linked to motivation and achievement), and the soothing system (related to feelings of calm and safety). A balance among these systems is crucial for emotional regulation and psychological well-being.
Cognitive Restructuring
In addition to compassion-based techniques, CFT integrates cognitive restructuring tools from CBT. These tools help individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns, such as beliefs of unworthiness or inadequacy, and replace them with more balanced and compassionate perspectives.
Overall, Compassion-Focused Therapy is designed to help individuals break free from cycles of self-blame and emotional distress. By nurturing self-compassion and understanding, CFT supports a deeper sense of acceptance and a kinder relationship with oneself, leading to improved mental health and a greater capacity to engage positively with others.
It has been found effective in treating various conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders, especially when these are accompanied by significant self-critical thoughts.
Other Therapy Models
Our Services
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy offers a confidential space for personal exploration and growth, where our therapists focus on skill-building, coping strategies, and a goal-oriented approach whilst supporting you to develop a deep understanding of yourself. Drawing from evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Schema Therapy, we work collaboratively with you to address your concerns. Together, we develop practical strategies to enhance your well-being and achieve your goals.
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Couples Therapy
Couples therapy provides a supportive environment for couples to address challenges and enhance their relationship. Drawing from models such as Schema Therapy, our therapists help couples identify and transform ingrained patterns that may be impacting their relationship dynamics. Through effective communication and collaboration, we strive to foster healthier connections and mutual understanding between partners.
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Assessment Services
Our specialised assessment services provide a foundation for understanding and addressing individual and relational challenges. Tailored to meet the distinct needs of each client, these evaluations offer insights into personal and interpersonal dynamics, facilitating targeted therapeutic interventions.
Find Out More Individual Therapy
Individual therapy offers a confidential space for personal exploration and growth, where our therapists focus on skill-building, coping strategies, and a goal-oriented approach whilst supporting you to develop a deep understanding of yourself. Drawing from evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Schema Therapy, we work collaboratively with you to address your concerns. Together, we develop practical strategies to enhance your well-being and achieve your goals.
Find Out More Couples Therapy
Couples therapy provides a supportive environment for couples to address challenges and enhance their relationship. Drawing from models such as Schema Therapy, our therapists help couples identify and transform ingrained patterns that may be impacting their relationship dynamics. Through effective communication and collaboration, we strive to foster healthier connections and mutual understanding between partners.
Find Out More Assessment Services
Our specialised assessment services provide a foundation for understanding and addressing individual and relational challenges. Tailored to meet the distinct needs of each client, these evaluations offer insights into personal and interpersonal dynamics, facilitating targeted therapeutic interventions.
Find Out More Individual Therapy
Individual therapy offers a confidential space for personal exploration and growth, where our therapists focus on skill-building, coping strategies, and a goal-oriented approach whilst supporting you to develop a deep understanding of yourself. Drawing from evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Schema Therapy, we work collaboratively with you to address your concerns. Together, we develop practical strategies to enhance your well-being and achieve your goals.
Find Out More Couples Therapy
Couples therapy provides a supportive environment for couples to address challenges and enhance their relationship. Drawing from models such as Schema Therapy, our therapists help couples identify and transform ingrained patterns that may be impacting their relationship dynamics. Through effective communication and collaboration, we strive to foster healthier connections and mutual understanding between partners.
Find Out More Assessment Services
Our specialised assessment services provide a foundation for understanding and addressing individual and relational challenges. Tailored to meet the distinct needs of each client, these evaluations offer insights into personal and interpersonal dynamics, facilitating targeted therapeutic interventions.
Find Out More 
Get in touch
Embark on the path to addressing concerns and finding the support you need. Reach out to us today to start your journey with London Bridge Therapy. Dr. Mahan-Taylor and our team are here to offer understanding and care, ensuring you feel supported throughout your therapeutic experience.rnrnYour well-being is our priority at London Bridge Therapy.
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