Core Concepts in Compassion Focused Therapy

Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) has gained enormous momentum over the past two decades, with its ideas now woven into many areas of clinical practice. But if you've ever tried to learn CFT through books, podcasts, conference presentations or supervision, you've probably discovered that it can be difficult to see how all the pieces fit together.

This workshop is designed to provide a clear, practical introduction to the core concepts and frameworks that underpin CFT. The focus is on the foundational ideas that give CFT its distinctive way of understanding distress, motivation and change.

We'll explore the key concepts, organise them into a coherent framework, and consider how they can inform the work you're already doing, regardless of your therapeutic orientation. Whether you're CFT-curious, have dipped in and out of the literature, or simply want a stronger conceptual foundation before pursuing further training, this workshop is designed to help you make sense of the language, models and thinking that sit at the heart of Compassion Focused Therapy.

Throughout the day we'll explore:

• Defining compassion: what it is and what it isn't
• The evolutionary foundations of CFT
• The Three-Circle Model and motivational systems
• The six attributes of compassion
• Compassionate Mind Training and the core compassion skills
• Soft and fierce compassion
• The Three Flows of Compassion
• Fears, blocks and resistances to compassion
• How these concepts can enrich and integrate with the therapeutic approaches you already use

One of the things I love most about CFT is that it isn't about replacing the therapies you already know. Whether your home base is CBT, ACT, DBT, EMDR, schema therapy, psychodynamic or attachment-informed work, CFT offers another way of understanding human suffering and another lens through which to formulate, respond and intervene.

Please note that this is not a Compassionate Mind Training (CMT) skills workshop or a train-the-trainer program. It is a one-day introduction to the core concepts and frameworks of Compassion Focused Therapy, designed to help you build a shared language and a solid conceptual foundation that you can integrate into your existing clinical practice.

Workshop format

This is a live online workshop delivered via Zoom.

The workshop includes a combination of teaching, clinical examples, reflection and interactive learning activities designed to bring the concepts to life. To get the most from the experience, live attendance is required, as the interactive components form an important part of the day's learning.

Downloadable workshop resources will be provided following the training to support your ongoing learning and reflection.

About Amanda

Amanda Connell is a Clinical Psychologist, Board-Approved Supervisor and educator with a passion for making complex psychological concepts practical, accessible and clinically meaningful. She has extensive experience supporting clinicians through training and supervision, with a particular interest in Compassion Focused Therapy, attachment, perinatal and infant mental health, and the therapeutic use of self.

Amanda is the founder of Spilt Milk Psychology, where she provides supervision, professional training and psychological services. Known for her warm, engaging and down-to-earth teaching style, Amanda combines evidence-based practice with humour, relatable analogies and plenty of real-world clinical examples to help clinicians build confidence and deepen their thinking.