Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

Compassion-Focused Therapy in Birmingham & Online

Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) reduces self-criticism and builds self-compassion. Why? Because self-compassion makes you stronger.

We, humans, are naturally quite hard on ourselves. We push ourselves to improve, achieve more and always get it right. Then, when you fall short, you feel frustrated and guilty. You can’t understand why you got it wrong or what to do about it. It’s a common and serious problem.

Self-Criticism is Self-Neglect

Many people are overly self-critical. We tend to treat other people more kindly than we do ourselves. The trouble is that we often don’t see it. We don’t see that we would rarely speak to others the way we speak to ourselves.

A lack of self-compassion is natural. We have evolved to be generous to others before ourselves. Many cultures tell us not to be selfish and to put others first. Our minds tell us we don’t deserve self-compassion or haven’t worked hard enough or achieved enough. Our minds tell us that being self-compassionate is soft and weak.

In reality, denying yourself sufficient care and understanding creates further harm. When you are just focused on keeping others happy and being perfect, then you suffer. Instinctively, we know this when it comes to other people. We easily recognise that giving praise and encouragement makes people feel good. You know that people appreciate it when you are patient rather than demanding.  How, then, do you learn self-compassion?

Developing Self-Compassion

In Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), your therapist will teach you how to replace unhelpful self-criticism with self-compassion. Kindness is important, but it’s much more than that. Self-compassion begins with courage.

It may seem weird to say this, but self-criticism is protective. It aims to keep vulnerability at arms-length. Self-compassion involves turning toward your fears, your shame and your hurt. And that takes courage.

It sounds like hard work…I don’t know if I’ve got it in me. How do I decide?

The time needs to be right. And it’s easy to find why now is not a good time. Only you can decide, of course. But here are some questions to help you figure that out:

• Can you give it the time it needs? Do you have other priorities?
• What would happen if you don’t learn how to reduce self-criticism? What will your life look like in 3 months if you do nothing?
• Can you put by 1 hour a week or a fortnight to see a therapist?
• Can you put in 10 minutes a day to practice some exercises?

Whilst you need the time and desire to learn self-compassion, you don’t need to put your life on hold. You’ll need to see a therapist regularly and spend some time each day for practice.

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You can meet in person at our central Birmingham Jewellery Quarter offices. Or you can arrange an appointment for online therapy using a simple, friendly, secure video platform.

What are our fees?

Sessions, including the Initial Consultation, are priced at £105.00 for 60 minutes. 

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