Introducing compassion focused therapy

Compassion focused therapy (CFT) is based on the evolutionary, functional analysis of basic social motivational systems (e.g., to exist within groups and care for kin) and emotional systems (e.g., to respond to threats, seek out contentment/safeness).

Research into the neurophysiology of emotion suggests that we can identify at least three types of emotion regulation systems. These include:

1) Threat and protection systems 

This is an emotion regulation system that provides abilities to detect and respond to threat. If we perceive threat we may expereince certain emotions like anxiety or anger, we might behave in a particular (e.g., fight, flight, freeze, submission), and we might engage cognitive biases such as making quick assumptions. These are all engaged in an attempt to keep us safe.

2) Drive, resource-seeking and excitement systems

This system motivates and drives us so we gain important resources. It can be a source of anticipation and pleasure and is linked with setting and achieving goals.

3) Contentment, soothing and safety systems

This system is engaged when we are not feeling threatened or seeking resources. This system is linked with positive ‘calm’, positive affects and sense of well-being. This state of positive calm is typically tied to an awareness of being socially connected, cared for, and safe. This soothing system acts as a regulator for both the threat and drive systems.

The aim of compassion focused therapy is to examine these systems and find ways of balancing and regulating the different ways of regulating emotion.

Practitioner points

• The human brain is highly sensitive and skilled at social processing
• Central to our ability to regulate emotion and develop our sense of self are processes linked with social roles such as a sense of belonging and caring.
• Many psychological difficulties are linked with social-relational problems, particularly in relation to feeling cared for, having an interest in others or caring for or having an interest in ourselves.
• Supporting the people we are working to develop skills and understanding in relation to the way we relate with others and ourselves, can help address problems in processing emotions and behaviour and difficulties that are often linked with shame and self-criticism. (1)

You can watch Paul Gilbert present an introductory lecture on compassion focused therapy here.