Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

CFT was developed to help people who struggle with high levels of self-criticism, shame, and a sense of not being good enough.

For many of us, the inner voice that comments on our every move can be harsh, relentless, and quietly exhausting — and yet it often feels so familiar that we don't question it.

CFT draws on our understanding of how the human mind has evolved, and how our emotional systems can become unbalanced when life has asked too much of us, or when early experiences taught us that we needed to earn our place.

The work involves learning to recognise these patterns with curiosity rather than judgement, and gradually building a different kind of inner relationship — one that is warmer, steadier, and more able to hold us when things are hard.

This isn't about positive thinking or letting yourself off the hook. It's about developing a genuine capacity for self-compassion, which research suggests can be deeply settling for the nervous system and a powerful support for change.

I draw on CFT particularly when working with clients struggling with perfectionism, shame, burnout, and the long shadow of being raised to be "good".