CFT
Compassion-Focused Therapy
“Learn to treat yourself the way you would treat someone you love.”
Dr. Dona Psychology Clinic
A calm space to begin.
Tell us a little about what’s going on, and our team will reach out to confirm a time that works for you.
Book an Appointment
Let’s find you a time
Fill in your details below and our care team will get back to you shortly.
What Is CFT?
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) was developed by Professor Paul Gilbert to help people who struggle with high levels of shame and self-criticism, often those who find it easy to be kind to others but are relentlessly harsh toward themselves. CFT draws on evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, and contemplative traditions to explain why our brains are wired for threat and self-criticism and how to cultivate the compassionate mind as a deliberate counterbalance. At its core CFT teaches that self-compassion is not weakness or self-indulgence. It is a powerful, evidence-based skill that reduces shame, builds emotional resilience and creates the psychological safety needed for genuine change. Compassion Focused Therapy in Dubai can support people who experience ongoing self-doubt, feelings of inadequacy, shame, anxiety, or a strong tendency to criticise themselves. The approach focuses on developing a kinder and more balanced inner voice while helping individuals understand the emotional and psychological cycles that lead to suffering. With the guidance of a Compassion Focused Therapist in Dubai, clients can learn practical techniques to strengthen self-compassion, manage difficult emotions, and respond to personal challenges with greater understanding rather than self-judgement.
The Process
What It Involves
Understanding the Three Emotional Regulation Systems: Threat, Drive, and Soothing – CFT helps individuals understand three important emotional regulation systems: the threat system, the drive system, and the soothing system. The threat system helps us respond to danger, the drive system motivates achievement and goals, while the soothing system supports feelings of safety and calmness.
Compassionate Mind Training: Developing a Compassionate Inner Voice – Training the mind with compassion enables people to nurture a more compassionate and encouraging inner voice. Instead of responding to mistakes with harsh self-criticism, clients learn to approach themselves with patience, understanding and encouragement. This can gradually improve self-esteem and emotional resilience.
Imagery Exercises: Visualising a Compassionate Figure or Compassionate Self – CFT uses guided imagery exercises to help individuals develop feelings of safety, warmth, and compassion. Clients may imagine a compassionate figure or practise seeing themselves responding to difficult situations with greater understanding and strength.
Working with Shame and Self-Criticism at Their Roots, Not Just Their Surface – CFT explores the underlying causes of shame and self-criticism rather than focusing solely on the thoughts they produce. A Compassion-Focused Therapist in Dubai can help clients understand how these patterns developed and how they affect confidence, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.
Mindfulness Practices to Create Space Between Stimulus and Response – Mindfulness helps individuals notice their thoughts, emotions and reactions without immediately judging them. This creates space between a difficult situation and the response that follows, allowing clients to pause and choose a more balanced response.
Integration with CBT and ACT Techniques for a Comprehensive Approach – When suitable, CFT can be combined with approaches from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). CBT addresses unhelpful thinking patterns, whereas ACT emphasizes acceptance and acting in accordance with one’s values.
Who Benefits
Who CFT Helps
People with High Shame and Self-Criticism – CFT can be helpful for people who are frequently hard on themselves or experience persistent feelings of shame, guilt, or inadequacy. It helps them develop a kinder and more balanced way of relating to themselves.
Trauma Survivors, Particularly Those with Complex or Developmental Trauma – CFT may support trauma survivors who struggle with deep-rooted shame, self-blame or difficulties feeling safe and worthy. It can help build emotional safety and self-compassion alongside trauma-focused work when appropriate.
Eating Difficulties and Body Image Distress – CFT can help individuals who experience negative body image, appearance-related shame, or harsh self-judgement around food and eating. Developing self-compassion can support a healthier relationship with the body and reduce self-critical thinking.
Depression, Especially When Self-Loathing Is a Prominent Feature – For people experiencing depression alongside strong self-criticism or feelings of worthlessness, CFT can help develop a more supportive inner voice. It can encourage greater self-acceptance and reduce patterns of self-blame.
Anxiety Driven by Fear of Judgment or Failure – CFT can be useful for people whose anxiety is connected to fear of being judged, making mistakes or not meeting expectations. Compassion-based techniques can help reduce the pressure to be perfect and develop greater emotional confidence.
People Who Feel They Do Not Deserve Help or Are Fundamentally Flawed – Some individuals may believe they are unworthy of support or that something is fundamentally wrong with them. CFT helps them explore these deeply held beliefs and gradually develop greater self-acceptance, understanding, and compassion.
Evidence Base
What the Research Says
CFT has a growing and robust evidence base. Research demonstrates its effectiveness for depression, anxiety, trauma, eating difficulties and psychosis. It is particularly well-supported for reducing shame and self-criticism, two of the most powerful maintainers of psychological distress. Studies suggest that compassion-focused therapy in Dubai can help individuals develop greater self-compassion, emotional regulation and psychological resilience. It may be especially valuable for people who understand their difficulties intellectually but continue to experience strong feelings of shame, self-blame, or inadequacy.
Therapeutic
Start Your Journey with CBT
Our therapists are trained and experienced in Compassion-Focused Therapy. Book a first appointment, and we will match you with the right specialist for your needs. Compassion-Focused Therapy in Dubai provides a supportive space to explore patterns of shame, self-criticism, anxiety, and emotional distress. Through practical compassion-based techniques, therapycan assist you in cultivating a gentler relationship with yourself and create healthier ways of responding to difficult emotions.