Lecture on Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and Trauma
Introduction
- Lecture on Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) in relation to trauma
- Overview and background of CFT
- Emphasis on confidentiality and personal practice
Basics of Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
- Objective: Root understanding of mental and social issues in psychological and social therapies
- Focus on the basic sciences rather than narrow therapeutic models
- CFT utilizes basic psychological processes: motives, emotions, cognitive competencies, behaviors (Four Functions of Mind)
- Understanding interactions of these processes in different emotional and cognitive states
Brain States and Compassion
- Brain State Theory: Interaction of processes like emotions, motives, physiological responses at any time
- Different brain states: threat, happy, compassionate
- Compassionate Brain State: Organizing mental processes towards compassion, moving from self-critical to compassionate states
Understanding Motivation in CFT
- Evolutionary background and motivational systems
- Caregiving, cooperating, competing, and sexual systems
- Motivational systems guide behavior, not just beliefs
- Guilt and shame as evolved emotional responses
Emotional Systems
- Classification of emotions: positive and negative systems
- Threat-based emotional systems: anxiety, anger, disgust
- Positive emotions derived from resource acquisition
- Importance of soothing and grounding in relationships
Motivational Systems and Therapy
- Three Major Life Tasks: Detect and protect, acquire resources, rest and digest
- Role of emotions in guiding motivations
- Functions of mind (motivations, emotions, cognitive competencies, behaviors) in therapy
Approaching Trauma with CFT
- Trauma affects motivational systems, emotions, thinking, and behaviors
- Importance of "mind mapping" in understanding trauma experiences
- Different emotions involved in trauma (fear, anger, sadness)
- Techniques in CFT: compassion for anger, anxiety, and grieving
Compassion in Practice
- Distinction between caring and compassion
- Compassion involves cognitive competencies like awareness, empathy, intentionality
- Developing compassion through exercises, imagery, and behavioral practices
Conclusion
- CFT integrates basic sciences of mind: motives, emotions, physiology
- Compassion organizes these processes to address threats and mental struggles
- Use of standard interventions from CBT and other therapies adapted for CFT
Final Notes
- CFT is a holistic approach, leveraging compassion as a motivation to pattern the mind
- It incorporates knowledge from evolutionary psychology and standard therapeutic practices
The lecture focused on how compassion-focused therapy can be applied to trauma, highlighting the comprehensive approach of CFT in understanding and addressing complex emotional and psychological patterns through compassion.