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Chapter 14.2 - Compassion-Focused Therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 October 2022

By
Paul Gilbert
Edited by
Christopher C. H. Cook  and
Andrew Powell
Christopher C. H. Cook
Affiliation:
Institute for Medical Humanities, Durham University
Andrew Powell
Affiliation:
Formerly Warneford Hospital and University of Oxford
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Summary

Humans are a highly social species with multiple physiological systems that have evolved specifically for social relating. There is now considerable evidence that the quality of our social relationships has an impact on both physical and mental health. Especially important is the dimension of feeling supported, valued and cared for, as opposed to feeling unsupported, devalued, excluded and uncared for. This chapter explores how compassion-focused therapy is rooted in working with these evolved, care-focused, motivational and physiological regulating systems. It is a therapy that highlights and helps patients to recognise the value of developing a compassionate orientation to themselves and others. The chapter also explores the degree to which some, but not all, spiritualities pursue the same goals, and how spiritual orientations to compassion can – for those with such views – support their progress through therapy.

Keywords

caringcompassionempathyevolutionmotivationtherapy
Type
Chapter
Information
Spirituality and Psychiatry , pp. 262 - 272
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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