Training on Compassion-Focused Therapy

Sep 26, 2024

Compassion in Therapy Training Series

Introduction

  • Presented by Dr. Deborah Lee, consultant clinical psychologist, Oxford, UK.
  • Focus on compassion-focused therapy (CFT) for trauma and complex PTSD.
  • Trauma types:
    • Type 1 Trauma: One-off incidents, unexpected.
    • Type 2 Trauma: Repeated exposure, psychological/emotional/physical harm.

Traditional Trauma Treatments

  • History of trauma treatment rooted in exposure therapy.
  • 1980s: PTSD diagnosis informed by phobia treatments.
  • Emphasis on shame in modern trauma understanding.

Understanding Shame vs. Fear

  • Shame: Social threat, requires different treatment.
  • Impact of interpersonal trauma: shame, self-loathing.

Evolution of Compassion-Focused Therapy

  • Dr. Lee's experience with cognitive and exposure-based models.
  • Case study: Woman traumatized and shamed after being burned.
  • "Heart-head lag": Disconnection between cognitive understanding and emotional experience.

Complex PTSD

  • Introduction in ICD-11.
  • Symptoms: Re-experiencing, avoidance, hyper-arousal.
  • Complex PTSD as a de-shaming diagnosis.

Interpersonal Trauma and Attachment Issues

  • High rates of PTSD in interpersonal trauma victims.
  • Struggles with emotional regulation, self-loathing, interpersonal relationships.

Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)

  • Three domains:
    • Physiological: Emotion regulation.
    • Psychological: Self-compassion.
    • Social Relating: Social safeness and connectedness.

Challenges in Treatment

  • Underdeveloped social-emotional relating.
  • Difficulties connecting with others and forming relationships.
  • Safety strategies in a traumatized mind.

CFT and Attachment

  • Social mentality theory and caregiving mentality.
  • Competitive vs. caregiving motivations.
  • Importance of creating safeness and social connection.

Key Components of CFT

  • Engagement with suffering: Develop sensitivity and motivation to care.
  • Alleviation of suffering: Emotions, reasoning, and behaviors aligned with compassionate motivations.

Practical Application

  • Developing compassionate resilience and capacities.
  • Importance of compassionate imagery and physiological states.
  • Addressing fragmented trauma memories with compassion.

Challenges in Implementing CFT

  • Psychoeducation crucial for de-shaming.
  • Creating awareness and understanding of a traumatized brain.
  • Differentiating between cognitive and emotional states.

Compassionate Re-scripting

  • Example process with Gemma: Moving from debasement to empowerment and compassion.
  • 3 P's: Proximity, Protection, Providing safe haven.

Conclusion

  • Final phase: Living with compassion in life.
  • Encouragement to refer to self-help books and resources for further learning.