Paul Gilbert
British clinical psychologist who founded compassion-focused therapy.
At a glance
Roles
Main ideas
Three systems, Evolution as the backbone, Beyond schools
See all 3Books to start with
The Compassionate Mind (2010), Overcoming Depression (2nd ed., 2001), Introducing compassion-focused therapy (2009)
See all 3Connections
Introducing compassion-focused therapy, Overcoming Depression and 2 others
See all 4
Also on this page: Key facts · Links · Sources · Related pages
- Paul Gilbert is a British clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Derby.
- He founded Compassion-focused therapy and compassionate mind training.
- His model explains shame and self-criticism through evolved threat, drive and soothing systems.
- He founded the Compassionate Mind Foundation, a charity, in 2006.
Why it matters
- The source of CFT's theory; his evolutionary view of shame is widely used in therapy for self-criticism.
Key facts
- Born
- 19511
- Role
- Professor at the University of Derby1
- Education
- PhD in clinical psychology, University of Edinburgh, 19801
- Known for
- Compassion-focused therapy and compassionate mind training1
- Founded
- The Compassionate Mind Foundation in 2006, with colleagues; he is its president2
- Honour
- OBE in 2011 for his contribution to mental healthcare1
Roles
Main ideas
-
Three systems4
Threat, drive and soothing systems regulate emotion; shame and self-criticism keep threat in charge.
-
Evolution as the backbone3
Biological evolution forms the theoretical basis of CFT.
-
Beyond schools4
He argues therapy is moving from separate schools toward an integrated biopsychosocial science.
Books to start with
-
The Compassionate Mind (2010)1
A New Approach to Life's Challenges; his general-audience book.
-
Overcoming Depression (2nd ed., 2001)1
A step-by-step self-help book.
-
Introducing compassion-focused therapy (2009)4
Short, free journal article on the model.
Connections
Writes
- Introducing compassion-focused therapyPaperBritish clinical psychologist, founder of compassion-focused therapy
- Overcoming DepressionBookBritish clinical psychologist, founder of compassion-focused therapy
- The Compassionate Mind: A New Approach to Life's ChallengesBookBritish clinical psychologist, founder of compassion-focused therapy
Links
Sources
- Paul Gilbert (psychologist) (Wikipedia) (opens en.wikipedia.org)
- About the Compassionate Mind Foundation (opens compassionatemind.co.uk)
- Compassion-focused therapy (Wikipedia) (opens en.wikipedia.org)
- Introducing compassion-focused therapy (Paul Gilbert, Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 2009) (opens doi.org)
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