Photo of Ann LeFevre, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 94025, CA
Ann LeFevre
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, PhD, LCSW
Verified Verified
7 Endorsed
Menlo Park, CA 94025  (Online Only)
After experiencing a tragedy, trauma, or abuse, you may have intense emotions, nightmares, and disturbing images in your mind. Perhaps you isolate or disconnect, or you keep thinking about what you should’ve done, and question why it happened. Using substances, and having increased depression, anxiety, and anger are all normal responses. Whether you've been struggling for decades, or if this is a new experience, you can regain control over your life, reconnect with others, and rebuild emotional and physical intimacy that may have been lost.
After experiencing a tragedy, trauma, or abuse, you may have intense emotions, nightmares, and disturbing images in your mind. Perhaps you isolate or disconnect, or you keep thinking about what you should’ve done, and question why it happened. Using substances, and having increased depression, anxiety, and anger are all normal responses. Whether you've been struggling for decades, or if this is a new experience, you can regain control over your life, reconnect with others, and rebuild emotional and physical intimacy that may have been lost.
(562) 573-8287 View (562) 573-8287
Photo of Silver Lake Psychology, Psychologist in 94025, CA
Silver Lake Psychology
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Learn how to feel more connected to yourself, others, and the world around you. Therapy provides all the elements of intimacy: honest communication, vulnerability, and trust. Good therapy is challenging yet warm, providing both structure and empathy for your unique experience.
Learn how to feel more connected to yourself, others, and the world around you. Therapy provides all the elements of intimacy: honest communication, vulnerability, and trust. Good therapy is challenging yet warm, providing both structure and empathy for your unique experience.
(415) 612-3556 View (415) 612-3556

Compassion Focused Therapists

How does compassion-focused therapy work?

Compassion-Focused Therapy is based on the idea that humans have at least three emotion regulation systems, including one that responds to threats and another that allows us to self-soothe. Those who experienced serious childhood adversity, the theory goes, have a hyperactive threat system and an underperforming self-soothing system, leaving them vulnerable to shame and a hypercritical mindset. CFT focuses on bringing these systems back into balance, helping the client be kinder to themselves and better able to accept kindness from others.

Is compassion-focused therapy a type of CBT?

Compassion-focused therapy is closely related to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and employs many of its techniques. In addition to CBT, CFT also draws from the fields of biology, evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, developmental psychology, and Buddhism. It also has similarities to some types of trauma-focused therapies.

Is compassion-focused therapy evidence based?

Evidence suggests that CFT can be helpful in the treatment of anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, psychosis, and other mental illnesses. It has also been shown to be beneficial for individuals who may not have diagnosable psychiatric disorders but who still struggle with persistent self-criticism and feelings of shame.

What are the limitations of compassion-focused therapy?

Compassion-focused therapy is still a relatively new therapy, and research on its efficacy is still in its early stages; while some studies have found positive results, many have suffered from quality issues or small sample sizes. And while most CFT clients find it difficult to practice self-compassion at first, some—especially those who actively fear compassion or are deeply uncomfortable being cared for—may not be fully open to the tenets of CFT, potentially limiting the therapy’s long-term effectiveness.