🧡Welcome to the Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) Course for Everyday People
Free Course by Everything IFS Academy | Therapeutic Modalities Series
Compassion Focused Therapy was created by British clinical psychologist Paul Gilbert, who developed it through the 1990s and 2000s and founded the Compassionate Mind Foundation in 2006 to carry the work worldwide. It was born from a striking observation: people can build perfectly logical, balanced thoughts and still feel awful, especially people carrying deep shame and a harsh inner critic. Gilbert's answer wove together evolutionary psychology, attachment science, Buddhist mind training, and modern neuroscience into a therapy built on one central insight: compassion is not a mood you wait for, it is a skill you can train, and training it measurably changes how a mind treats itself. Today CFT is practiced across the world, backed by a steadily growing research base.
This course teaches pure CFT, with no other modalities blended in. It's written in plain, emotionally relatable language anyone can follow, whether you work in the field or have never set foot in a therapy room. It isn't clinical training for therapists; it's CFT you can put to use in your own life. Each module offers clear teaching, real-life examples, and the practical tools, techniques, and strategies CFT is known for, and every lesson ends with a simple practice so you can begin using the skill right away.
This course is self-paced, with no tests, exams, or homework. Feel free to go through it in order, or jump around to whatever interests you most.
Course outline
Click any module below to begin.
The Basics
What Is Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)?
Who Is Paul Gilbert?
The Three Emotion Systems
How Compassion Works
The Tricky Brain
The Two Psychologies of Compassion
The Three Flows of Compassion
Fears, Blocks and Resistances to Compassion
The Core Practices
Soothing Rhythm Breathing
Compassionate Attention and Mindfulness
Soothing Space Imagery
The Compassionate Self
The Ideal Compassionate Image
The Multiple Selves Practice
Shame and Self-Criticism
Understanding Shame
Working with Self-Criticism
Putting Compassion into Action
Compassionate Thinking
Compassionate Letter Writing
Compassionate Behavior
Living It
Using CFT in Everyday Life
Disclaimer:
Everything IFS Academy is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the IFS Institute. While we strive for accuracy, errors can occur, and users are encouraged to cross-reference critical information. These courses, lessons, skills, and practices are offered for educational and self-reflection purposes only. They do not constitute therapy, mental health treatment, clinical training, or crisis support, and they should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care.
Crisis Support: 🚨
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, feel unsafe, feel at risk of harming yourself or someone else, or feel too overwhelmed to safely use self-directed practices, please pause this material and reach out for immediate support. Contact a licensed mental health professional, call or text 988 in the U.S. or Canada, or use your local emergency or crisis resources.
Comments