Applying Compassion Focused Approaches to Trauma

December 8 & 9, 2023

AxPlease join The Centre for MindBody Health in this extraordinary opportunity to learn from the esteemed Dr. Paul Gilbert as he guides us through utilizing Compassion Focused Therapy for clients dealing with trauma. The training will consist of two parts: the first session will delve into the evolution and biopsychosocial model of compassion, examining its impact on various mental functions and physiological processes, while the second session will focus on the application of compassion-focused therapy for trauma and address the challenges posed by different types of trauma.

About the Workshop
This training will be in two parts. The first part of session one will explore the evolution and biopsychosocial model of compassion that was developed to be used as a psychotherapeutic orientation. Participants will explore how the four basic functions of mind (motives, emotions competencies and behaviours) can all be textured by compassion and can also support compassion. We will explore how compassion can affect our physiological and psychological processes, such as capacities for empathy, mindfulness, and a sense of identity and how compassion can impact our social behaviour. Because of its important physiological effects, compassion can create experiences of safeness and connectedness. Participants will be introduced to some body-based and imagery-based practices for compassion activation and cultivation. The second session will look at how to apply compassion focused therapy that can help people with trauma while also exploring the challenges different types of trauma create.

Learning Objectives
• Understand the integration of various therapeutic modalities within compassion focused therapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy and body-based approaches, and how they contribute to its effectiveness in addressing trauma.
• Gain knowledge about the biopsychosocial model of compassion and its relevance as a psychotherapeutic orientation, including its impact on motives, emotions, competencies, and behaviours.
• Explore the physiological and psychological processes influenced by compassion, including empathy, mindfulness, sense of identity, and social behavior, and how they can be enhanced through compassion-focused interventions.
• Recognize the physiological effects of compassion, particularly in creating experiences of safety and connectedness, and learn body-based and imagery-based practices for activating and cultivating compassion.
• Apply compassion focused therapy principles and techniques to effectively address your clients’ trauma, while examining the unique challenges posed by different types of trauma.

Presenter
Dr. Paul Gilbert, FBPsS, PhD, OBE is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Derby and honorary visiting Professor at the University of Queensland. Until his retirement from the NHS in 2016, he was Consultant Clinical Psychologist for over 40 years. Paul has researched evolutionary approaches to psychopathology with a focus on mood, shame and self-criticism for which Compassion Focused Therapy was developed.

Applying Compassion Focused Approaches to Trauma
December 8 & 9, 2023, 11AM – 2:30PM (ET)
Online via Zoom