Compassion Focused Therapy For Dummies

by Mary Welford

Don't be so hard on yourself – use compassion focused therapy as your guide It's often said that we're our own worst critics—and it's true. Compassion Focused Therapy For Dummies offers straightforward and practical advice that helps you view yourself through a more sympathetic lens. This motivating text covers the key principles of compassion focused therapy, which guide you in caring for your wellbeing, becoming sensitive to your needs, recognising when you are distressed, and extending warmth and understanding to yourself. This transformative resource provides you with metrics that you can use to monitor your progress, including sensitivity, sympathy, empathy, and overall wellbeing.

Initially developed to assist people experiencing high levels of shame and self-criticism, compassion focused therapy increases your awareness of the automatic reactions that you experience—and motivates you to combat negative reactions with kindness and affection. Used on its own or in combination with other therapeutic approaches, the value of compassion focused therapy is supported by strong neuropsychological evidence.

Understand how to handle difficult emotions with greater ease—and less stress Transform difficult, potentially damaging relationships into positive aspects of your life Encourage and motivate yourself to continually meet your goals, rather than criticise yourself for perceived failures Stop being so hard on yourself, and appreciate yourself for who you are Compassion Focused Therapy For Dummies is a wonderful resource if you are seeing—or thinking about seeing—a therapist who utilises compassion techniques, or if you would like to leverage the principles of compassion focused therapy to manage your own wellbeing.

Genres: Self Help

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 30, 2015

Reviews

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do like the For Dummies series because they seem to pack so much information into their books. This one is no exception. It is arranged in the usual For Dummies format with plenty of summaries and bullet points. The contents list is comprehensive so it is easy to access the chapters which are most relevant to you.

This book is especially useful if you're inclined to be hard on yourself and other people. We all set ourselves unrealistic goals and deadlines and then mentally beat ourselves up when we don't achieve what we set out to achieve. But ultimately this works against us, diminishes our self confidence and self esteem and doesn't make it any easier to achieve our goals next time.

Be aware that the exercises in this book may bring up uncomfortable thoughts and emotions as your work through them - they certainly have done with me. I am finding this book very useful and I am realising that I am often too hard on myself and while I am compassionate towards others I don't extend that same compassion to myself.

This is a book about being good to yourself and too others. Recognise your needs and don't write impossible 'to do' lists. There is a useful section on further information and more books to read as well as an index. If you feel that maybe you are being too hard on yourself and others then this book would be a good place to start if you want to change that situation and introduce compassion into your life.

[Pro Mukherjee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comprehensive authoritative content. Most suitable for auditory learners (I am more of a visual learner.) That said, another important contribution towards compassion in ourselves and our society.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, easy to read and apply. Would recommend for Clinicians and as a self help book.

[Kate Wester · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear and concise book for those interested in CFT. Lots of exercises.

[Caroline Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, easy to read and apply. Would recommend for Clinicians and as a self help book.