Essentials of Compassion Focused Therapy: A Practice Manual for Clinicians

This book presents a comprehensive, 12-module transdiagnostic program to deliver Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) in group and individual settings.

Offering an accessible step-by-step guide to the essentials of CFT and its application to a range of contexts, this book provides clinicians with clear guidelines to deliver the modules and adapt them to the specific needs of target groups/individuals. Each module focuses on a theme, which is explained through an introductory basic science for the clinician and then developed and explored through psychoeducation for the client, followed by a variety of experiential exercises. Also included are examples of CFT case formulations, therapist scripts, and client handouts. As an additional resource, clinicians are provided access to www.cftmanual.com, an online platform with downloadable support material such as guided audio meditations, videos of brief Yoga sessions, educational videos, and supplementary handouts.

This practice guide will be the authoritative resource in CFT for clinicians, trainers, supervisors, researchers, and clients with previous CFT experience who wish to deepen their practice.

Nicola Petrocchi, PhD, PsyD, is a psychotherapist, researcher, adjunct professor of psychology at John Cabot University (Rome), the founder and director of Compassionate Mind Italia, and an international trainer of CFT.

James Kirby, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and Co-Director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at the University of Queensland. In 2022, he authored Choose Compassion. He is an international trainer of CFT.

Beatrice Baldi, PhD scholar, is a clinical psychologist, 500H-certified Yoga teacher certified in Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness, and a trainer in CFT. She has been collaborating for several years with Dr. Nicola Petrocchi in spreading a Compassion-focused approach to yoga.