Every month, we scour the scientific literature for interesting studies that have practical implications for therapists working with shame, self-criticism, or compassion. Below are a few of our favorites for this month: Submissive compassion is different from genuine compassion A new study just came out where the authors developed a new scale to measure what … Read more
Every month, we scour the scientific literature for interesting studies that have practical implications for therapists working with shame, self-criticism, or compassion. Below are a few of our favorites for this month: Self-compassion and self-criticism in depression A new study just came out where the authors looked at self-criticism in currently depressed, remitted, and never … Read more
Each month we highlight some practical resources for therapists interested in compassion. We don’t go into great depth about what we find, but encourage you to check them out if you think they’re interesting. This month’s find: The Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS, Gilbert, Clarke, Hempel, Miles, & Irons, 2004). A recent article published … Read more
Do you have any clients coming to see you because their minds tend to run away with them? Or rather, because your client tends to run away with their mind? The mind says, “You are doing everything wrong!” and your client says, “Yes, let’s think about that all day.” The mind says, “I don’t think … Read more
Each month we highlight some practical resources for therapists interested in compassion. We don’t go into great depth about what we find, but encourage you to check them out if you think they’re interesting. This month’s find: Becoming Transparent to the Power of Wisdom and Love: Guided Meditation and Teaching – Guided Meditation from the … Read more
When I was little, there was a tree in the backyard of my family’s home. It had three knots in the perfect eyes and nose configuration and a groove in just the right place for a mouth. It was Mr. Tree. Often, when I was feeling sad or hurt I would go outside and sit … Read more
Here is an idea for an exercise to help clients defuse from their self-critic. This exercise could also help to assess the workability of listening to the critic. What is the fundamental objective of the critic? Is it actually effective at meeting that objective? Is the critic’s objective aligned with the client’s values? We have … Read more
At our most recent monthly ACT peer consultation group meeting, a group member, Yael Schweitzer, led an exercise that fostered feelings of both discomfort and connection in group members. Although it wasn’t presented as a compassion exercise, I think it was. I wrote this Eyes on Compassion script based on my experience in the group. This is … Read more
Stories really ground me. I find I can be touched by stories in ways that surpass almost any other form of expression. I save up stories for hard days. For days when I crave connection, motivation, love. Stories of redemption, of imperfect people finding restoration or the unexpected in the hearts of others or in … Read more
I feel the burn of shame even as I write this. I have a 19 year old dog, Dalai. I love this dog, I mean really love this dog. She’s the best dog in the world. Some of you know what I mean; you may also have the best dog in the world. But this best dog … Read more