Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
Building Healthy Relationships in Illinois and Indiana
Our Services
Individual Therapy
Learn to manage depression, anxiety, and stress effectively.
Couples Therapy
Restore the harmony and happiness in your relationship.
Family Therapy
Resolve complex issues and bring back a united front.
Covered By Insurance.
What Is Compassion-Focused Therapy CFT?
Compassion-Focused Therapy, or CFT therapy, is an evidence-based approach that helps people struggling with self-criticism, shame, and trauma. Developed by clinical psychologist Dr. Paul Gilbert, this therapy emphasizes compassion—for ourselves and others—as a powerful tool for emotional healing.
The foundation of CFT therapy is understanding that our minds are wired with different systems: the threat system (which triggers anxiety and fear), the drive system (which fuels motivation and achievement), and the soothing system (which calms and nurtures us). Many people over-rely on the threat system, leading to chronic stress and self-criticism. CFT therapy helps restore balance by strengthening the soothing system.
In a session, your therapist will guide you through practices such as compassionate imagery, mindfulness, and breathing techniques that teach your brain how to respond with kindness instead of harsh judgment.
We are proud to be LGBTQIA+ allies.
What to Expect in a CFT Session
In a typical CFT therapy session, you might explore exercises such as guided imagery, soothing rhythm breathing, and role-play scenarios that reframe self-critical thoughts with compassionate responses. Sessions are collaborative—you and your therapist work together to gradually build skills that help regulate your emotional systems.
Over time, many clients notice reduced anxiety, greater resilience, and improved relationships. The focus is not on quick fixes but on developing long-term emotional health grounded in compassion.
Who It Helps:
Who Is CFT Therapy Best Suited For?
CFT therapy is designed for anyone who struggles with persistent feelings of shame, self-criticism, or guilt. It’s particularly helpful for people who may understand things rationally but still feel emotionally “stuck” in cycles of self-blame.
This approach is well-suited for:
-
Individuals dealing with trauma histories who often feel undeserving of care.
-
Those experiencing anxiety or depression tied to self-criticism.
-
People with perfectionist tendencies who feel nothing they do is ever enough.
-
Couples or families where compassion and empathy need to be strengthened in relationships.
Because it focuses on cultivating self-kindness, CFT therapy is also highly effective for people who have tried other approaches but still find themselves battling negative inner dialogue.
How Is CFT Different From CBT or DBT?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are two widely known approaches. While they share some similarities with CFT therapy, they differ in focus and techniques.
| Dimension | CFT (Compassion-Focused Therapy) | CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) | DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Cultivating compassionate motivation; balancing threat–drive–soothing. | Identify & change unhelpful thoughts/behaviors. | Skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, relationships. |
| Core goal | Reduce shame & self-criticism; increase safety and self-soothing. | Change thinking patterns to change feelings/behaviors. | Hold dialectics and act skillfully under stress. |
| Typical techniques | Soothing-rhythm breathing, compassionate imagery/letters, compassionate mind training. | Cognitive reframing, behavioral experiments, exposure, activation. | Mindfulness, opposite action, crisis survival, interpersonal effectiveness. |
| Best suited for | Shame, trauma history, perfectionism, anxiety with harsh self-talk. | Anxiety, depression, phobias, insomnia, OCD. | Emotion dysregulation, chronic crises, self-harm urges, BPD features. |
| Session style | Collaborative; explicit creation of felt safety. | Structured agendas & homework. | Highly skills-based; coaching between sessions common. |
| Homework | Compassion practices, imagery, breathing, reflections. | Thought logs, experiments, worksheets. | Diary cards tracking skills, urges, emotions. |
| Therapist stance | Warm, de-shaming, models compassionate voice. | Coach/teacher for cognitive change. | Validating and change-oriented (dialectical). |
| Evidence notes | Growing evidence for shame, trauma, self-criticism, anxiety. | Large evidence base across many conditions. | Strong evidence for emotion dysregulation & BPD-related issues. |