Compassion Focused Therapy Participant Workbook

Compassion Focused Therapy Participant Workbook is a companion book to Compassion Focused Group Therapy for University Counseling Centers, a one-of-a-kind 12-session manual for conducting compassion focused group therapy on college campuses.

Compassion-based interventions have been shown to decrease symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in students. This book’s 12 sessions incorporate several aspects of compassionate living including defining and understanding compassion, mindfulness, shame, assertiveness, and forgiveness to help participants act in more compassionate ways with themselves and others, lower feelings of shame and self-criticism, and engage in self-reassuring behaviors. The workbook provides clients with summaries of each session, handouts, and key exercises and, along with the manual, can be followed session-by-session or adapted according to the needs of the group.

This workbook is designed to be used by clinicians and participants in a clinician-led group utilizing Compassion Focused Group Therapy for University Counseling Centers.

“In this companion set of Compassion Focused Group Therapy guides for group facilitators and for group participants, the authors have created a remarkably accessible resource that promotes deeply humane, high quality clinical care. The manuals are written with the wisdom of experienced group therapists utilizing a structured, well- defined and well-researched model of compassion focused care. These therapy guides address the implementation gap that so often exists between theory and clinical practice in ways that are particularly relevant for today’s group therapists and their clients.” —Molyn Leszcz, MD, FRCPC, CGP, DFAGPA, professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto; president, the American Group Psychotherapy Association

“This manual and workbook is a tour de force! Compassion focused therapy (CFT) is a powerful, multi-dimensional, scientifically-based approach to managing difficult emotions. The authors have brilliantly condensed CFT into twelve, easily digestible modules. This could be the most valuable course a student takes in college—learning to regulate emotions by cultivating a compassionate mind. Highly recommended for young and old!” —Christopher Germer, PhD, lecturer (part-time), Harvard Medical School; co-author, Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program