I am a counsellor and psychotherapist based in Leeds.

In my counselling I use an integrative approach tailoring the way we work to your individual needs. This may include exploring how you’re feeling now, reflecting on your values and sense of self, or making sense of past and present experiences. Where helpful, we can incorporate additional approaches or tools, especially if you have a specific goal for therapy. We may also explore the emotions and patterns that you notice in your life, bringing greater understanding and clarity so you can make new choices.

My practice is person-centred and informed by humanistic and relational therapies, along with neurobiology, attachment theory, mindfulness, Buddhist psychology, Compassion-Focused therapy, ACT and CBT.

I work with students, early-career individuals, and people of all ages navigating life transitions or challenges, including illness, mental health, trauma, relationship changes, family, workplace issues, retirement, bereavement, and loss. I work in a trauma-informed and inclusive way, welcoming people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, faiths, cultures, neurotypes, and abilities. I hope together we can build a safe, kindly and non-judgmental listening space so you can explore your experience, talk freely about concerns and find conditions for change.

I offer online sessions and in-person appointments in Leeds city centre and LS5, with availability on most weekdays and in the evenings.

I provide both short- and long-term therapy and can help you think through what may be most useful. You’re welcome to book a free 20-minute consultation.

Individual Session Cost: £50 per session, sessions are 50-60 mins
Concession Rates: I offer concession rates of £40 for students and people on low income/benefits

Hello! I am a Clinical Psychologist who completed the Leeds Doctirate in 2004. I first trained with Paul in Glasgow in 2007 and have grown to love and use CFT more and more as the years have gone on.

I worked in the NHS for 25 years and in my last NHS post ran the Greater Glasgow and Clyde CFT SIG (Special Interest Group). I have used CFT mainly with adults in both physical health settings and mental health settings. I have benefitted from personal practice in CFT and love that it’s not a ‘them and us’ theory or therapy.

I find the psychoeducation and practice beneficial for a full range of people and would definitely say it is my favourite way of working.

I have set up private practice this year and created ‘A Therapeutic Space’ in Dumfries and Galloway. I hope to grow this in the coming years, offering Clinical Psychology in a natural environment.

I provide CFT following completing the CFT Diploma and other CFT based training including Staff Wellbeing, Chronic Pain, Chronic trauma and intro/advanced clinical skills.

From CBT, I use the structured, evidence-based tools that help people understand the links between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. These skills are highly practical and allow people to recognise unhelpful patterns, challenge them, and experiment with new ways of responding. This structured approach provides clarity and measurable change, which is particularly valued in both therapeutic and workplace contexts.

From CFT, I integrate an understanding of the evolutionary roots of our threat, drive, and soothing systems, alongside practices that cultivate compassion, courage, and wisdom. This helps people not only reduce distress but also build a kinder, more balanced relationship with themselves and others. In organisational settings, this translates to healthier workplace cultures, more resilient teams, and leadership styles rooted in care as well as accountability.

By combining the cognitive precision of CBT with the emotional depth of CFT, my approach goes beyond “problem-solving.” It creates space for lasting change that is both practical and compassionate — equipping people with skills to manage challenges while also fostering wellbeing, connection, and growth.

I offer a range of 1-1 therapy, group based CFT wellbeing sessions (Team Support- Kate Lucre), and Compassionate Workplaces/Leadership training. I also infuse CFT theory and practice into training that helps support teams manage distress.

I am a clinical psychologist with over 12 years of experience in psychotherapy and psychosocial support, with a particular focus on forced displacement and migration. Throughout my career, I have worked extensively with individuals and communities affected by adversity, offering trauma-informed and culturally sensitive mental health care.

Since 2021, I have been facilitating online Mindfulness and Compassion Group sessions, creating accessible spaces for reflection, emotional regulation, and healing. In parallel, I serve as a staff wellbeing consultant and mental health project advisor to humanitarian organizations and healthcare providers. In these roles, I contribute to the design and implementation of mental health strategies that promote resilience and sustainable wellbeing among staff working in high-stress environments.

Currently, I provide ongoing support to two key populations: expatriates navigating cross-cultural challenges, and professionals in support roles—such as therapists, aid workers, and social service providers—who are often at risk of burnout. My work is guided by a commitment to relational ethics, somatic and compassion-based practices.

Lorraine is qualified in CFT to the Diploma level. Having completed the Diploma with Professor Paul Gilbert in 2022/23
Also many other courses completed with the Compassionate Mind Foundation
She is also a BABCP Accredited CBT, EMDR Therapist and Integrative Psychotherapist.
Qualified in Advanced Group Psychotherapy

Main speciality is childhood sexual abuse and Complex PTSD – but she does work with and in many other areas.

Courtney Katzenberg is a thoughtful and engaging practitioner. She has been in private practice for 2.5 years, after pursuing her master’s in clinical psychology. Prior to that Courtney taught elementary school for 10 years and received her master’s in education. She brings her knowledge of the learning process to the therapy room knowing that compassion, and mindfulness are skills that can be fostered in all clients when given a safe and compassionate environment to grow and heal.

BSocSc (Psych. & Phil.) UCT BAHons (Psych.)(cum laude) Stell MPhil (Crim.) UCT MA (Clin. Psych. & Comm. Couns.) Stell ICPT CTSC (USA) CPsychol AFBPsS (UK) MPsSI AFPsSI (IRE)
I am HPCSA registered Clinical Psychologist & Criminologist with 10+ years of experience. In addition, I am a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow with the British Psychological Society (BPS), and an Associate Fellow with the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). I am an individual adult psychotherapist. I qualified with a BSocSc (Psychology & Philosophy) in 2006 from the University of Cape Town (UCT), and a BAHons (Psychology) (cum laude) in 2007 from Stellenbosch University (SU). I obtained an MPhil (Criminal Justice) in 2009 from UCT, & an MA (Clinical Psychology & Community Counselling) in 2010 from SU. I completed my internship at Lentegeur & Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospitals in Cape Town. I completed my community service in the Department of Defence: South African Military Health Service (SAMHS), at the Heidelberg Military Sickbay in Gauteng. I then worked for Akeso: Specialised Psychiatric Clinics at Crescent Clinic, Randburg. Also, I have worked previously as a trauma & HIV/AIDS counsellor for the South African Police Service (SAPS) & the Department of Correctional Services at several South African prisons.
Eager to be the first South African in the CFT Therapist Directory, which would give me greater legitimacy in the Compassion Focused Therapy services offered to patients. South Africa is unwavering in relentless trauma, subjugation and dismissal. Compassion has been a barebones hallmark of my therapeutic practice for years.

Chloe is a registered Occupational Therapist with over 15 years of experience working in mental health across the NHS, private services, and GP surgeries. Her approach is grounded in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), supporting individuals to navigate self-criticism, emotional overwhelm, and disconnection from what matters most.

She works with people experiencing anxiety, burnout, life transitions, low mood, and emotion dysregulation, with a particular interest in exploring neurodiversity and how it shapes lived experience. Her style is collaborative and experiential, with a strong focus on building self-compassion and enabling meaningful change.

Chloe brings an occupational therapy lens to her work, recognising the vital role of physical and social environments in shaping wellbeing and identity. She also draws on her background in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and training as a yoga teacher to explore how the body can support emotional regulation and body-mind integration.

Chloe is the co-founder of Re:Connectology, a body–mind therapy service developed with Alex Flatman, a movement, posture, and yoga therapist. She offers individual and group support, and together they have created an online app rooted in yoga to support ongoing compassionate practices.

Hello, and thank you for visiting my profile. I am a qualified Psychotherapist with a specialist interest in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and a background in Person-Centred counselling. Over the past decade I have worked for a variety of third sector organisations such as Women’s Refuges and Addiction Services. I currently work as a clinical lead at a charity working with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and offering staff support and training sessions to external staff members at risk of Vicarious Trauma, in the local authority. I also work for a number of health care providers who offer private medical insurance.

My approach is grounded in the belief that compassion—toward ourselves and others—is central to healing, emotional regulation, and personal growth.

I aim to offer a supportive and non-judgmental therapeutic space where you can begin to explore your experiences with openness and kindness. Many of the people I work with struggle with self-criticism, shame, anxiety, or a sense of not being “good enough.” These patterns often have deep roots, shaped by our histories and environments—but they can be understood, softened, and transformed.

My Approach
CFT combines insights from evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, and mindfulness to help us develop a more compassionate relationship with ourselves. It recognises that our brains have not evolved to make life easy—and that we often blame ourselves for patterns we did not choose.

Alongside this, my Person-Centred foundation ensures that therapy is led by your pace and needs and I strongly believe in a collaborative therapeutic relationship. I listen with empathy and unconditional positive regard, holding space for your authentic self to emerge and be heard.

Together, we can:

• Understand the nature of your emotional difficulties
• Soften harsh self-judgment
• Develop compassionate inner resources
• Build emotional resilience and confidence
• Create space for healing and change

Areas I Work With
I support adults facing a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges, including:

• High self-criticism and shame
• Anxiety and stress
• Depression and low mood
• Trauma and complex trauma
• Grief and loss
• Low self-esteem and identity concerns
• Difficult life transitions or relationship struggles

Dr. Chou is the founder and director of the San Francisco Center for Compassion Focused Therapies, a group psychotherapy practice in California. Her CFT training started in 2014, and has been supervised by Drs. Paul Gilbert, Dennis Tirch, and Tobyn Bell over the years.

As a therapist, Dr. Chou applies CFT as the main therapy approach in her work with clients experiencing different psychological challenges related to trauma, such as hoarding, PTSD/C-PTSD, and interpersonal and attachment difficulties.

As a CFT supervisor, Dr. Chou provides individual and group CFT supervision to licensed and pre-licensed clinicians globally. Her practice hosts an online CFT peer consultation group, CFT Open Home, which supports CFT clinicians from different parts of the world.

As a CFT trainer, Dr. Chou provides training on CFT, as well as CFT for hoarding. She has given a 3-day CFT introduction training, and a 6-week CFT for hoarding training through the Compassionate Mind Foundation. She has also been invited to offer the 3-day CFT introduction and one-day CFT for hoarding workshops through the Taiwanese Clinical Psychology Association.

Finally, as a researcher and hoarding expert, Dr. Chou has developed a CFT for hoarding group therapy protocol (Chou and DuFrene, 2022). Her group practice incorporates practice-based research, and has been a hub for hoarding and CFT research.

I am a Clinical Psychologist in the United Kingdom. I currently work part-time in adult mental health services in the NHS. I am work as a university Clinical Lecturer, delivering teaching and conducting research. I have had a special interest in compassion focused therapy (CFT) since the beginning of my clinical training. Since then, I have utilised CFT for 1:1 therapy under supervision from CFT practitioners. I have also participated in the running of CFT group for individuals seeking support with their mental health. I offer online therapy, mostly during the evenings.

Clinical psychologist for children and their families, with a private practice for nearly 23 years.
Author of books for families and professionals.
Passionate about encouraging emotional communication between generations and developing preventive approaches to support social and emotional well-being.

I’ve been a mental health practitioner for over 20 years, and clinical lead for more than ten years, in the public sector and voluntary sector. I am a national trainer in various subjects of mental distress. I share tiny pops of tools, techniques and training on my instagram and you tube channel, which help make wellbeing easier, and facilitate social justice.
My qualifications include, but are not limited to:
• Masters in Psychotherapy (Existential)
• CBT Post Graduate Certificate
• Family and Individual Mentalisation Based Therapy (Basic and Advanced Practitioner Level)
• Advanced Compassion Focused Therapy
• Chairwork (Compassion Focused Therapy)
• DBT
• Clinical Supervision
• EMDR
• Rewind Therapy
My biggest passion is Compassion Focused Therapy, both as a therapist and a supervisor – because I have found it transformative in my own life, and in the lives of my clients, both clients who are surviving some of the most complex and troubling traumas we encounter, and my private practice clients who may experience less obviously traumatic experiences but may still really struggle with emotional distress.

I love compassion focused therapy because I never truly believed I could be compassionate to myself, until I found CFT, and experienced it. I love it because when you have helped someone access compassionate mind, you dont need to tell them what to think, because their wisdom is infinitely more useful than anything anyone else could tell them, and I love it because CFT tells you – this is possible for EVERYONE! No matter how stuck or sticky your situation.

I am a Mental Health Care psychologist, working in different settings for 30 years (since 2014 I work only from my own practice). In the 30 years that I have worked in mental health care, I have met and treated people with very diverse problems and complaints.

I have gained experience in working with addiction problems, anxiety and mood complaints, traumatic experiences, (unexplained) physical (pain) complaints, personality and relational problems and work-related problems.

In addition to my work as a therapist, I have also worked as a psychological researcher and reporter.

I started my studies in psychology at Tilburg University, and completed my doctoral studies in clinical psychology in 1993 at the Catholic University of Nijmegen (now Radboud University). Since my doctoral internship at the Psychology Practice of Derksen & Klein Herenbrink, I have continued to work in mental health care.

From my personal interest in art and culture, and after a failed attempt to develop myself further in the field of music, I am very interested in all the different forms of expression. How people express themselves and make themselves understood. But especially in how we express ourselves, as human beings, in our daily lives.

In my work as a psychologist and therapist, I have mainly focused on emotions and our physical, mental and behavioral reactions to them. I support and treat people who are (at risk of) getting stuck by helping them to better understand situations and the reactions they have to them in thoughts, feelings and behavior.

The focus in my work with clients is mainly on restoring their own strength and better self-care by increasing the insight in the selve(s) they have. I mainly practice, together with my clients, in developing skills that can help them learn to handle difficult situations better. During my treatments (and especially training courses), clients learn to develop practical tools that they can continue with, even after the treatment has ended. In this way, people not only get a toolbox in their hands, but they also learn which tools they have to use for specific jobs, and how to use the tools.

When I came across the training to become a CFT therapist (which was given for the first time in 2022/2023 by Paul Gilbert and his team from the Compassionate Mind Foundation), I immediately knew: This is it!

This training to become a CFT therapist really feels like the ‘crowning glory’ of my personal development as a psychologist and therapist. But especially as a person.

CFT combines everything that occupies and fascinates me, with everything I have learned and done so far. It feels like a nice, warm and comfortable coat that protects me from rain and hail. At the same time, CFT is my coat rack on which I can hang everything (including ‘wet coats’).

Exactly the way I want to work as a therapist: together with people, investigate what is helpful for them, based on all available scientific knowledge and useful sources.

In addition to being a psychologist, I am also a Kundalini yoga teacher (3HO) and a Mindfulness trainer (MBSR/MBCT & MBCL and Breathworks CIC).

Graduated from the first Diploma course in CFT (provided from CMF) in 2023 I started Compassionate Mind Nederland. We provide:

• Promotion of theory and practice of CFT
• Individual & group treatment for clients
• Education & training in CFT
• Accompaniment supervision from a CFT viewpoint for caretakers & professionals in Health Care
• Individual & for teams
• Lectures & workshops in CFT
• Free material for practice and development in Compassion

I am a clinical psychologist based in NW London who works both in the NHS and in private practice. The philosophy of CFT makes sense to me and I adopt this lens with many of my clients, particularly those dealing with issues such as mood disorders (anxiety and depression), long-term physical and/or neurological health conditions, perfectionism, and trauma.

I support adolescents and adults experiencing a wide spectrum of psychological issues, including depression, anxiety, neurodiversity, learning disability, self-harm, long term health conditions such as ME/Chronic fatigue syndrome, and neurological conditions such as dementia and acquired brain injuries. I like to work collaboratively with my clients. My specialist interests include trauma, family carers, post-diagnostic support, and dealing with life-limiting and neurological conditions, but really, I like to see the person in front of me, rather than the issue.

I have worked in several NHS services in London and Hertfordshire, including services supporting people with brain injuries, learning disabilities, dementia, mild to moderate and severe and enduring mental health difficulties, neurodiversity, and ME/Chronic fatigue syndrome.

I currently work part-time in a neurological rehabilitation service and work privately one day per week.

I have worked as a Clinical Psychologist for over a decade in both Australia and in the NHS in the UK. I provide support to individuals and teams. I also provide supervision and reflective practice.

I use CFT, as well as other therapy models, to support people who are experiencing anxiety, lowered mood and other mental health challenges. I am particularly passionate about supporting people to adjust to difficult changes and transitions in life. These include relationships, loss, bereavement, stress, burnout, health conditions and other challenges.

As well as CFT, I am also trained in CBT, ACT, DBT and Mindfulness. I draw on these skills to tailor support to best fit each person or teams needs and goals.

I create a safe, non judgmental and open space in sessions, with time to work at a comfortable pace. If this sounds like a helpful approach for you, please reach out to me to find out more.

Olivia is a licensed psychologist in both the UK and California and has a practice in San Anselmo in Marin, California. She specializes in CFT and is also a certified schema therapist, mindfulness and yoga teacher. She works with adults and has been practicing CFT for over fifteen years.

I am an experienced psychotherapist and since qualifying with an MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in 2004 have worked as a psychotherapist within the NHS however have worked within mental health services since 1996. I continue to work in the NHS part-time but also have a small private practice. I am accredited with the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists and with EMDR UK and EMDR Europe.

I undertook the Compassion Focused Therapy Post Graduate Certificate 2014-2015 and have subsequently attended many of the varied workshops that the Compassionate Mind Foundation Offer and have delivered training in CFT.

Since 2022 I have been a supervisor on the CMF Diploma programme and receive regular supervision from an experienced CFT supervisor. I also offer supervision outside of this programme.

For private therapy I work remotely and have experience of working with a range of psychological and mental health difficulties.

Dr Ash is a HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist Chartered with the British Psychological Society.
She gained her Clinical Psychology Doctorate with Staffordshire University and has extensive experience within the NHS, third sector and Independent Sector working with children, young people and their families with a range of difficulties.
Dr Ash has a specialist interest in working with children and young people with anxiety and trauma related difficulties, as well as supporting parental wellbeing and mental health.
Examples of the difficulties Dr Ash works with are obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSnA), social anxiety, PTSD and relational trauma. She also works with parents who experienced complex trauma themselves and parents whose family journey has been different to what they had expected due to their child having additional needs or disabilities. Dr Ash also provides post diagnosis support for parents and children, following a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Dr Ash works one to one with parents and/or children, and dyadically with parent(s) and their child together.
Provides:
• Therapeutic assessments for children, teens and parents
• Psychological therapy
• Post ASD diagnosis support for parents

I have a clinical background spanning over 10 years and have experience of working with people across the lifespan, within the role as a Registered Mental Health Nurse and Psychotherapist. I have maintained various employments within NHS services working with children, adolescents, families and adults and have worked with more complex mental health and neurodevelopmental problems in children and young people. Of central importance is my experience working with those who have experienced trauma and maltreatment, particularly from a young age and where neurodevelopmental concerns, such as Autism and ADHD, are present.

I have has also led workshops, webinars and lectures on various mental health related issues, often to undergraduate nursing students at the University of Stirling. Out with my clinical work I have experience and an active portfolio of Quality Improvement (QI) work with a keen focus of using QI methodology to implement and evaluate therapeutic services. I am also a supervisor for those qualified and delivering Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).

I hold a specialist interest in maltreatment associated psychological problems, and works well with those who have experienced psychological trauma. Clinically I hold specialist training and interest in the delivery of Compassion Focused Therapy, of central importance Compassion Focused Group Psychotherapy (CFGP), and Compassion Focused Staff Support. I maintain monthly supervision with Dr Kate Lucre within the delivery of both approaches. I am also interested in the application of CFT within both a Coaching and a Family Therapy framework.

I believe that talking therapy can enrich life, by helping us to identify what is really important and to focus our energies effectively, as well as addressing difficulties or stuck points. My areas of expertise include helping people to overcome depression, increase motivation, manage worries, resolve conflicts and improve communication in relationships. My clients describe me as friendly, professional and a good listener.

I am a bilingual Clinical Psychologist, and can offer my clients sessions in English or Russian. Alongside my work as a Senior Psychologist in the NHS, I offer independent consultation, assessments, talking therapy and group workshops. I am Chartered by the British Psychological Society, and accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council. I am experienced in providing individually tailored, evidence based therapies, as recommended by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence.

I am passionate about working with people who have experienced stress, distress or difficulties with mental health, as well as those who want to develop their communication skills and improve relationships with others. I specialise in cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), as well as narrative, solution-focused and systemic approaches. I work flexibly, integrating multiple therapeutic models to meet the needs and preferences of each individual.

Founding partner of the Center for the Promotion of Mindfulness. Clinical Psychologist, Master in Psychology (UFJF), PhD in Sciences, where (UNIFESP), where was also a founding member of the Brazilian Center for Research and Training in Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP Brazil).
Certified in Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, Advanced Teacher Training in MBRP from the Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies – Warminster UK. Training in the Compassion Cultivation Training – CCT program by Stanford University and Nirakara Institute (Spain) and in the Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Program offered by Mente Aberta, in partnership with the Oxford Mindfulness Centre. Finishing the Diploma in Compassion-Focused Therapy from the Compassionate Mind Foundation and member of the Compassionate Mind Association (CMF affiliate in Brazil).
I offer online CFT clinical psychotherapy (since 2020 with an average of 20 weekly clinical hours) and supervision.

Sou psicóloga clínica com gradução e mestrado pela Universidade de São Paulo, especializada no tratamento da ansiedade, autocrítica severa, estresse e depressão. Ofereço atendimento psicoterapeutico online e trabalhos terapêuticos em grupo, como Treino da Mente Compassiva, cursos e workshops. Além disso, ofereço supervisão em TFC individualmente e em grupos.

Ao longo dos anos tenho utilizado processos terapêuticos centrados em Mindfulness e Compaixão e observado resultados profundos e positivos de transformação e desenvolvimento do equilíbrio emocional em meus pacientes.

Atuo na área desde 2006, sendo membro fundadora da Associação Brasileira de Terapia Focada na Compaixão – instituição para formação e pesquisa em Terapia Focada na Compaixão, filiada à Compassionate Mind Fountation UK.

Minhas principais formações são em Terapia Focada na Compaixão (Compassionate Mind Foundation), Teacher Trained do Programa Mindfulness e Autocompaixão (UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness), Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy (UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness), Psicoterapia Contemplativa (Nalanda Institute – NY) e Terapia Somática para o Trauma (Somatic Experiencing®). Como supervisora, recebi treinamento pela Compassionate Mind Foundation para supervisores, tendo como professores Wendy Wood, Paul Gilbert e Kate Lucre.

A psicoterapia é um meio hábil pelo qual podemos florescer e descobrir nossa sabedoria e nossa melhor versão. Sou apaixonada pela minha profissão e profundamente agradecida a cada pessoa que tive e tenho o privilégio de trabalhar em colaboração!

I am a CBT and Compassion Focused Therapist with 23 years of experience working in different settings (NHS and private practice) and with diverse backgrounds. I am also a trained Mindfulness teacher and trained in Mindfulness Self Compassion by Chris Germer and Kristin Neff. When I came across Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) I fell in love with it. Since 2012 CFT is the main therapy approach I use in my work with clients and I am passionate about teaching people the tools to become more compassionate with themselves as well as using it in my own life.

I have found Compassion Focused Therapy to be a very powerful and transformational model to help clients with problems of shame and self-criticism but also with all kinds of difficulties. Every single one of us can benefit from applying the principles of CFT in our lives. Life can be hard for all and it is invaluable to have the skills to support ourselves when we are emotionally challenged.

These are some of the ingredients of Compassion Focused Therapy that made me fall in love with it: It highlights the importance of the emotional brain and working with the body rather than just relying on using logic to support ourselves emotionally. In my experience this is often overlooked in other approaches like CBT. This also allows me to integrate my training in Mindfulness which focuses on working with emotions in the body.

Another aspect of CFT which I like is how it has created a highly effective blend of various disciplines and models. In particular, the emphasis on evolutionary psychology and understanding how our brains are programmed. This is extremely helpful and can lead to lots of insightful ‘aha moments. The use of imagery exercises as a way to access the ‘emotional brain’ is hugely powerful and therapeutic and can easily be turned into self-soothing skills.

One of the key CFT messages is that we are all in the same boat; there is a ‘we-ness’ not a you-the-client and me-the-therapist. It also highlights the message that any issues that we struggle with are not our fault but it is our responsibility to learn how to manage them. This is both validating and de-shaming as well as encouraging and hope inducing.

Finally, one of the CFT frameworks I use most is ‘multiple selves’. This refers to becoming aware of different parts or ‘selves’ that we all have and the fact that they are all trying to help us. Even if some of them have unhelpful consequences because they are misguided and acting in line with previous painful experiences, they actually mean well. Learning how to respond to them with compassion and understanding can be extremely therapeutic and transformative leading to a sense of inner peace rather than internal battles within ourselves.

Out of all the training that I have done in my 23 years of working as a therapist, CFT is certainly the most powerful and transformative approach I have learnt. I have found it highly beneficial not only when I have used it with clients but in my own personal life too.

Areas that I specialise in and have extensive experience of are:

• Phobias including social phobia
• Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Panic attacks and Panic Disorder
• Depression
• Workplace stress and performance stress
• PTSD
• Perfectionism
• Self criticism/High levels of shame
• Sleep problems and insomnia
• Anger management
• Bereavement
• Eating disorders including binge eating

I am also a specialist in treating Obsessional Disorders (OCD, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Health Anxiety and Vomit phobia).

I’ve written a chapter on using the Compassionate Mind approach to treating BDD which is included in this book:
Trauma informed and Embodied approaches to Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Edited by Nicole Schnackenberg.

I also did a webinar on using Compassion Focused Therapy with Body Dysmorphic Disorder for the BDD Foundation which you can find on their website.

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss how I might be able to help you.

I began my training in Compassion Focus Therapy in 2015 with Dr. Paul Gilbert. In 2016 I took the advanced course. Since then I have been including the foundations of CFT in my own personal and professional practice as a psychologist, supporting it with the reading of manuals and scientific articles.

In 2022 I began to collaborate in the Compassionate Mind Spain Association and I am currently part of the association’s board of directors and the teaching team.

I believe that we are all equal human beings, who may be different from one another but not less. I am a believer of our inherent potential to heal in the face of suffering. However, this potential might sometimes be blocked by our mind, heart and body’s learnt responses that are no longer effective. I strongly believe that we could and should turn towards ourselves and our sufferings with compassion (understanding, sensitivity, kind intention, caring/courageous acts) to facilitate our healing and growth.

I am a clinical psychologist in Singapore. I currently provide psychotherapy for young adults to older adults of different ethnicity and/or faith with mental health and emotional issues (e.g., complex trauma, anxiety, depression, health-related issues) in a public hospital. I am very interested in the application of CFT to different conditions and issues, as well as the compassion-focused understanding of distress/life across cultures and faiths. I have also recently started to introduce CFT to Chinese-speaking clients in Singapore.

In addition, I am also trained in cognitive-behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, basic dialectical behavioural therapy, and basic schema-informed therapy.

In 2017, I received a Master’s degree in clinical psychology and neuropsychology.

During my studies, I worked for two years as a research assistant at the Laboratory of Neuropsychology of the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology in Warsaw. I also completed several clinical internships, for example, at the Warsaw Central Clinical Hospital and the Warsaw Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology. After my studies, I worked as a clinical psychologist and research assistant at the Warsaw Medical Centre for Postgraduate Education.

I obtained my therapist’s license after completing a four-year postgraduate training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at the Warsaw University of Social Sciences and Humanities, accredited by the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies.

I have also completed a 1-year postgraduate diploma in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) at The Compassionate Mind Foundation, organized by the founder of CFT, Paul Gilbert, and accredited by the British Psychological Society.

In addition, I’m a board member of the Mindfulness Development Foundation which conducts teacher training in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) together with The Oxford Mindfulness Foundation (OMF) based at the University of Oxford. I completed OMF’s MBCT teacher training in 2020 and I’m currently in the final certification process.

I offer individual and couples online psychotherapy.