10 Hours | 10 CEs

This self-paced training on Introduction to Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is presented by Yotam Heineberg, PsyD.

It is well-known that shame and self-criticism can be difficult problems to treat in a range of psychological problems and may even prevent people from seeking help. Compassion Focused Therapy was developed by professor Paul Gilbert. CFT was specifically developed with and for individuals with these difficulties, in part by helping them develop a compassionate orientation to themselves and others by elaborating on cognitive behavioral strategies. CFT is an evolutionary and neuroscience-based approach to psychotherapy that articulates how the evolution of attachment and affiliative emotion regulates threat-processing and the emergence of our self-identities. CFT integrates evidence-based therapies with the basic insight that our emotions serve an evolutionary function, and that recognizing this can help de-shame and de-pathologize painful symptomatic experiences, towards greater engagement in therapy. CFT has a growing empirical evidence to support its efficacy in a broad range of complex cases, including trauma and rigid personality structures. The course will cover the basic concepts of CFT and various experiential practices with demonstrations of emotion focused, cognitive behavioral and imagery practices. This course will assist professionals in improving their clinical understanding of the best methods for treating shame and self-criticism.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

  • Describe perspectives from the evolutionary model that underpins CFT

  • Describe the three types of affect regulation systems (threat, drive and soothing)

  • Describe the importance of embodiment and mindful attention in working with bottom up processing such as body sensations and visual imagery

  • Describe the Fears of Compassion scale framework as applied to assessment, psychoeducational, experiential and behavioral treatment goals

  • Describe attuned sensitivity to the three directions of compassion (giving, receiving and practicing self-compassion) and the relationship with stress, depression, and anxiety

  • Describe perspective from the multiple self framework how to orient clients towards the cultivation of their compassionate self

  • Describe mindfulness and compassion based contemplative practices

  • Describe the distinction between shame- and threat-based self attacking cognitions and soothing-based compassionate thinking

Presented By

Yotam Heineberg, PsyD

Yotam Heineberg, PsyD is a licensed clinical psychologist and a clinical faculty member at Palo Alto university’s Gronowski Center, where he offers supervision, clinical and didactic psychotherapy training in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and other compassion focused approaches to healing and growth. Dr. Heineberg is also a Research Fellow at Stanford University with the Center for Compassion and Altruism, Research and Education (CCARE).

  • Intended Audience

    This self-paced course is intended for mental health and other allied professionals.

  • Experience Level

    This self-paced course is appropriate for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level clinicians.

  • CE / CPD Credit

    APA, ASWB, CPA, NBCC Click here for state and other regional board approvals.

Curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome

    • Review Before Proceeding

  • 2

    Introduction

    • Lesson 1 Video

    • Introducing CFT

    • Shame and Self-Criticism

    • Psychotherapy for the 21st Century

    • Concepts and Compassion-Focused Exercises

    • Lesson Quiz

  • 3

    Caring and the Dynamics of Attachment

    • Lesson 2 Video

    • Origins and Nature

    • Lesson Quiz

  • 4

    Soothing and Safeness

    • Lesson 3 Video

    • Lesson Quiz

  • 5

    Real World Examples

    • Lesson 4 Video
  • 6

    Fears, Blocks, & Resistances to Compassion

    • Lesson 5 Video

    • Development of Three Self-Report Measures

    • Self-Compassion

    • Fears of Compassion Scale

    • Lesson Quiz

  • 7

    Multiple Self Framework

    • Lesson 6 Video

    • Multiple Selves Exercise
  • 8

    Self Criticism, Guilt, & Shame

    • Lesson 7 Video

    • Building an Integrative Science

    • Lesson Quiz

  • 9

    Course Evaluation

    • Course Evaluation

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