Compassion Focused Group Psychotherapy for People with Complex Needs
Compassion Focused Group Psychotherapy (CFGP) provides a supportive environment where clients with complex challenges can learn and practice compassion skills together, creating the conditions necessary for exploratory group psychotherapy that is especially beneficial for those who find it difficult to trust or connect with others. It has been adapted by Dr. Kate Lucre, today’s presenter, from Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) for use in a group setting. The product of Paul Gilbert, CFT integrates cognitive behavioral therapy with evolutionary psychology, social psychology, neuroscience, and Buddhist psychology.
In this training, Dr. Lucre introduces participants to practical techniques for engaging clients in the group process and facilitating therapeutic insights. Key areas of focus include:
- Understanding how threatening experiences in early life shape client difficulties
- Addressing misconceptions of what compassion is and is not
- Exploring and addressing fears of compassion in one’s life
- Responding effectively to the inner critic through compassionate mind training
- Developing a compassion “kitbag” of skills, including compassionate reasoning, imagery, and behavior
- Supporting research evidence demonstrating CFGP’s effectiveness in reducing shame and self-criticism while enhancing emotional regulation
This workshop combines theoretical foundations with practical applications for managing group dynamics and supporting clients with complex relational and attachment trauma. Participants leave with actionable tools and insights to foster compassion and psychological safety within group settings.
Interactive Follow-Up Meeting
Attendees are invited to join an open discussion 15 minutes following the end of the training, where you can engage with fellow attendees by turning on your camera and microphone. This is an opportunity to share your experiences and contribute to a meaningful exchange of ideas. Time will be allocated to address questions or insights from the training. Please note that attendance is optional and will not affect your eligibility for a training certificate.
1) Describe compassion and its place in therapy
2) Develop a compassionate climate in group therapy
3) Apply treatment approaches for ameliorating self-criticism and shame
4) Use treatment techniques to develop compassion in clients and facilitate their capacities for self-regulation
5) Practice self-compassion for professional self-care
Audience
This training is for professionals working with people who have harmed others and/or have been perceived as not amenable to treatment. Professionals who will benefit from this training include social workers, psychologists, clinical counselors, and interested paraprofessionals.
Content Level
Disclosure
Cancellations
Continuing Education Approval
American Psychological Association (APA)
Safer Society Foundation, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Safer Society Foundation, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Safer Society Foundation, Inc., provider #233, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 06/06/2025—06/06/2026. Social workers completing this course receive 4 clinical continuing education credits.
Who's Presenting
Dr. Kate Lucre
Dr. Kate Lucre is a Birmingham, UK-based Consultant Psychotherapist and Supervisor specializing in the use of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) for complex attachment and relational trauma for groups and individuals. She has over 25 years’ experience working in statutory, NHS and social care organizations in the UK and overseas. She also runs workshops across the UK and internationally in CFT for Groups and Compassion Focused Staff Support and Supervision.
Kate is the founder of Compassion Focused Group Psychotherapy (CFGP) for people who would attract a diagnosis of personality disorder and has published the only data in this model, recently completing a seven-year follow-up study to this original research programme. Kate has also developed Compassion Focused Staff Support and offers her model to staff in various settings in the UK and internationally. She is also involved in numerous UK-wide research projects, evaluating this model.