Compassion Focused Therapy
Paul Gilbert’s evolutionary model, commonly known as Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), integrates evolutionary psychology with neuroscience and cognitive-behavioral approaches to understand and treat mental health issues. The model posits that many psychological problems arise from the brain’s evolved threat-detection systems, which can become overactive in contemporary environments. CFT emphasizes the development of self-compassion and the cultivation of nurturing inner voices as mechanisms to counteract these overactive threat systems. By fostering compassion towards oneself and others, individuals can better regulate emotions, improve coping strategies, and ultimately enhance mental well-being.