2022/12/07

The Compassionate Mind (Compassion Focused Therapy): Gilbert, Paul: 9781849010986: Amazon.com: Books

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The Compassionate Mind (Compassion Focused Therapy) Paperback – October 22, 2019
by Paul Gilbert (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 1,048 ratings
Part of: Compassion Focused Therapy (11 books)

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Throughout history people have sought to cope with a life that is often stressful and hard. We have actually known for some time that developing compassion for oneself and others can help us face up to and win through the hardship and find a sense of inner peace. However in modern societies we rarely focus on this key process that underpins successful coping and happiness and can be quick to dismiss the impact of modern living on our minds and well-being. Instead we concentrate on 'doing, achieving' and having'. Now, bestselling author and leading authority on depression, Professor Paul Gilbert explains how new research shows how we can all learn to develop compassion for ourselves and others and derive the benefits of this age-old wisdom.

In this ground-breaking new book he explores how our minds have developed to be highly sensitive and quick to react to perceived threats and how this fast-acting threat-response system can be a source of anxiety, depression and aggression. He describes how studies have also shown that developing kindness and compassion for self and others can hep in calming down the threat system: as a mother's care and love can soothe a baby's distress, so we can learn how to soothe ourselves.

Not only does compassion help to soothe distressing emotions, it actually increases feelings of contentment and well-being. Here, Professor Gilbert outlines the latest findings about the value of compassion and how it works, and takes readers through basic mind training exercises to enhance the capacity for, and use of, compassion.
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Print length

624 pages
Language

English

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Review
As somebody who suffers from severe depression, I know the depressive's harshest critic is themselves. It is never helpful to be told to pull ourselves together by others but saying it to ourselves leads us in only one direction - into a spiralling descent into despair. This wise and perceptive book teaches us self-compassion and the consolations of kindness. I recommend it all the time.―Sally Brampton, author of Shoot the Damn Dog: A Memoir of Depression and the Aunt Sally column in Th

The increasing drive to find a competitive edge in all aspects of our lives may create efficiencies but they are cold, heartless and unpleasant to live with. Gilbert shows how and why this occurs, and explains why our capacity for compassion is the antidote.―Oliver James, author of Affluenza and The Selfish Capitalist

A timely book for a time when competitiveness, materialism and narcissism have failed us. This book provides timeless wisdom that you can use every day. It will make a wonderful gift for someone you care for - especially, if you give it to yourself.―Robert L Leahy, Author of The Worry Cure and President of The International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy

Fascinating ... thoughtful and well written ... this book is a resource to be owned and used with enjoyment―Nursing Standard

A challenging and useful addition to anyone's self-help shelf, as well as a refreshingly rigorous look behind why our brains work the way they do. In fact, this is a self-help book for people who don't like self-help books.―ONEinFOUR magazine

Important and enjoyable.―The Psychologist

A landmark book―The Scientific and Medical Network

Interesting and helpful.―Mental Health Practice
About the Author
PAUL GILBERT is professor of clinical psychology at the University of Derby and, until his retirement from the NHS in 2016, was consultant clinical psychologist at the Derbyshire Health Care Foundation Trust. He has researched evolutionary approaches to psychopathology for over 40 years with a special focus on the roles of mood, shame and self-criticism in various mental health difficulties for which compassion focused therapy was developed. He has written and edited many books on psychology, therapy, and compassion. He was awarded an OBE by the Queen in March 2011 for services to mental health.

Product details
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Robinson; Re-issue edition (October 22, 2019)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 624 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1849010986
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1849010986
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.13 x 1.63 x 7.88 inchesBest Sellers Rank: #299,816 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)#620 in Emotional Mental Health
#1,648 in Self-Esteem (Books)
#5,749 in Personal Transformation Self-HelpCustomer Reviews:
4.5 out of 5 stars 1,048 ratings

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Paul Gilbert

Paul Gilbert, FBPsS, PhD, OBE is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Derby and, until his retirement from the NHS in 2016, was Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the Derbyshire Health Care Foundation Trust. He has researched evolutionary approaches to psychopathology for over 40 years with a special focus on the roles of mood, shame and self-criticism in various mental health difficulties for which Compassion Focused Therapy was developed. He was made a Fellow of the British Psychological Society in 1993. In 2003 Paul was president of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy. 2002-2004 he was a member of the first British Governments’ NICE guidelines for depression. He has written/edited 21 books and over 200 papers. In 2006 he established the Compassionate Mind Foundation as an international charity with the mission statement: "To promote wellbeing through the scientific understanding and application of compassion" (http://www.compassionatemind.co.uk).

On leaving the health service in 2016 he established the Centre for Compassion Research, of at the University of Derby and has been awarded honorary professorships at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, the University of Coimbra in Portuhal, and the University of Queensland in Australia. He has written and edited many books on psychology, therapy, and compassion. His latest book is Living Like Crazy.

He was awarded an OBE by the Queen in March 2011 for services to mental health.

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Top reviews from other countries

Phoenix
3.0 out of 5 stars Very good book that everyone could benefit fromReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 25, 2018
Verified Purchase

Compassion Focussed Therapy is a fantastic thing for all people. The author goes into detail about our evolution and how compassion affects our brain. It's written in a pretty easy to understand way too, with the author, whilst obviously very knowledgeable, coming across very down to earth, adding his own experiences as well as his experience with clients. Some negative points, the author sometimes repeats himself in later chapters, sometimes making the same point without adding anything extra or expanding on it. He also doesn't believe in a creator God and seems to push that belief in his writing, which i didn't feel was particularly relevant for this topic, but was more him trying to get his point across. Overall, the book is a great read with some very helpful teachings and practices that absolutely everyone could benefit from. I'd recommend it.

36 people found this helpfulReport abuse

Bert
1.0 out of 5 stars So so long and hard to get intoReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2019
Verified Purchase

Great ideas, very knowledgeable author. Astonishing badly edited. Truly, why is it so repetitive and so thick?! Can’t blame the author, can blame the editor. The book should have been a third of half the size. Such a waste of great ideas as it’s so hard to read... I can only hope Paul Gilbert finds a good enough editor that he can trust enough to edit the living daylights out of his utterly long-winded way or writing.

28 people found this helpfulReport abuse

STEVE HAINES COUNSELLOR-CBT Therapist
5.0 out of 5 stars Compassion and empathy.Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 27, 2019
Verified Purchase

This is a book that has changed my outlook on life.

It's that good.

Highly recommended reading.

Steve Haines Counsellor and Coach.

16 people found this helpfulReport abuse

Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars Problematic binding qualityReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2021
Verified Purchase

It is about the book binding quality that I’m totally dissatisfied with. I was very excited to get the book. Great author and recommended by a friend. Upon opening, I’m still at Introduction session not even to page 1 yet, the book is already fallen apart!! The first 4 pages are freely detached and half of the entire Introduction is hanging in air... ROBINSON - use some proper glue when bind a book!!! It also demonstrates how important it is to find a reliable publisher. Sigh...

6 people found this helpfulReport abuse

Chaps
1.0 out of 5 stars Audible & Kindle settings dont syncReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 16, 2022
Verified Purchase

Great book great concepts... however ruined by the set up not synchronized across formats.

Although this book is offered with the option to add audible narration the book does not feature the headphone icon so you can either listen on kindle with the very boring narrative voice or you can listen on audible... with the animated narration without the text... you cant do both. So choose your preferred and buy just the one option dont waste your money upgrading as the option to combine both is lost because the set up has missed ticking this option when publishing.

Please review publishing settings and correct this issue for the sake of your listeners experience and value for money. Thx

One person found this helpfulReport abuse
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6 Must Read Books Every Counselling Student Should Read

Nicole Mclean

Nov 11, 2018

6 Must Read Books Every Counselling Student Should Read

Nicole, a Counselling Student and self confessed bookworm shares her 'must read' book list with us.

I always have either a book in my hand or playing through audible, I just love to read. Over the months, my goodreads account has grown massively, full of all genres from novels to fantasy and even more so since I started my Level 2 counselling course.

The Compassionate Mind by Paul Gilbert

This is a monster of a book and admittingly I have not completed all 592 pages however, I have made a solid dent and absolutely love it. The compassionate mind explains the evolutionary and social reasons why our brains react so readily to threat - and reveals how our brains are also hardwired to respond to kindness and compassion. It may well be the most insightful book you will ever read as it helps to develop and understand feelings of compassion and increase your sense of well-being. As a trainee counsellor (beginning level 2) where we explore our values and beliefs, compassion is right up there with congruence. It is a quality we all need.

Learning To Counsel 4th edition by William Stewart & Jan Sutton

This was a recommended read in my student guide (I received on my first day) so I can't take credit in discovering this staple. This book however, has been a life saver for my course so far, as it draws from the authors own personal experiences as counsellor, writers and tutors. From the very first pages (which are now covered in scribbles in highlighter and sticky notes; a sign of a good book) it is full of information, teaching you how to be an empathetic counsellor, adhere to ethics, avoid burnout and the key counselling skills needed to transform yourself into a successful psychotherapist. Even if you are not training to become a counsellor this book would be helpful for all helping relationships.

Reflective Writing in Counselling & Psychotherapy 2nd edition by Jeannie Wright

One of my requirements for my counselling course is to keep a reflective journal and if you have never done this before it is a little alien. A reflective journal is different to a diary as you focus more on your emotions and personal development, rather than specific events. The first edition was so popular 10+ years later the author revamped the book to be up to date with BACP ethical framework and of course the development in counselling over the years. Jeannie guides you through everything from how to start writing, various approaches, dealing with obstacles and how to maintain reflective energy as a professional. Including exercises, case studies and ideas for self-directed learning.

4 Essentials Keys To Effective Communication by Bento C. Leal iii

This is an essential book for anybody not just people studying counselling as it covers all aspects where communication is vital, not just in a therapy room. It is laid out as a how to guide, teaching practical communication skills to help you achieve relationship success. Awareness and listening skills including how to pause, reflect, adjust and act.

The Book Of Human Emotions by Tiffany Watt Smith

If you were asked or you were to ask somebody; How do you feel? would the response be a quick response or a true human emotion? This book, in my opinion, is essential for counselling students from Level 2 up. One thing we learned within our first few weeks was paraphrasing, where you repeat back what your client has told you, in this instance an emotion. "I am so furious", to which the counsellor replies "that made you feel furious?" Hearing you say the emotion back can sometimes make a person re evaluate that emotion. They might well be furious but they might not be truly. There might well be more going on. So this is a great book of knowledge to have on hand.

First Steps In Counselling 4th edition by Pete Sanders

This book has been my go-to for assignment help! The layout is like nothing I have seen before as the author has written notes in the margin. These encourage you to explore what you have just read from your own point of view, activities to help define your learning style and references to more information. It truly is a students companion for counselling all the way up to diploma Level 4. Topics covered include; What is counselling and where do ideas come from, the importance of self-development, ethics and what comes next when you qualify. Highly, highly recommend this one!

Author's Bio

Nicole is a trainee holistic Psychotherapist, passionate well-being and women’s empowerment advocate. She writes about emotional well-being and has said that she is "determined to create a platform built on cultivating and uplifting, empowering a community; A online space to breathe easy."

Read more from Nichole at her blog or connect via Instagram or Twitter here

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What is Counselling | Explanation and Definition of Counselling

What is counselling?

Counselling is a form of ‘talk therapy’.

It is a process where an individual, couple or family meet with a trained professional counsellor to talk about issues and problems that they are facing in their lives.

Professional counselling is confidential and non-judgmental.What is counselling

Counselling can provide people with the opportunity to share their views, be heard and gain new perspectives on their situation and experiences.

Counselling can help people to gain clarity surrounding issues.

Together with their counsellor people identify and work towards achieving the desired outcomes and goals for counselling.

What is Professional Counselling?

Professional counselling can provide guidance to help people navigate life’s challenges.

According to 20/20: A Vision for the Future of Counseling, the delegates comprised of 31 counseling organizations agreed upon a unified definition of counselling:

Professional counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.

Counselors work with clients on strategies to overcome obstacles and personal challenges that they are facing.

The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia define professional counselling as:

Professional counselling is a safe and confidential collaboration between qualified counsellors and clients to promote mental health and wellbeing, enhance self-understanding, and resolve identified concerns. Clients are active participants in the counselling process at every stage.

A Professional Counsellor may also be referred to as a Registered Counsellor or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) depending on the country or region in which they practice.

How Counselling Helps

Counselling is used to deal with a broad range of issues and problems that you may be facing.

It can help you to deal with stress, provide treatment for anxiety and treatment for depression.

Counselling can provide you with the opportunity to reassess or set new goals in your life and help you to gain clarity and direction.

Counselling can be used to address issues and problems within your relationship or provide mediation between you and your partner.

Counselling can help by allowing a very safe and private space for you to talk about issues and problems that are you having. These are problems that you may find difficult to talk to other people about because they feel very private. It may feel unsafe or uncomfortable to talk to your normal support network, friends or loved ones.

A professional counselor is trained and registered, and will provide you with a genuine, caring and empathic response to your problems. A trained counsellor will have tools and techniques that are evidence based. They can use these tools to support you or help you to move through the difficult, problem, feelings, behaviours, thoughts or situation that are you experiencing.

What is the Counselling Process?

The process of counselling is where individuals, couples or family members meet with a professional counselor to confidentially discuss problems in their lives.

The counsellor will draw on tools and techniques from their training and should provide understanding and empathy to their client, while their client works out how to move through the issues that they have brought to counselling.

During the process of counselling, goals will be identified, and this is the purpose of the counselling process. The goals can change if that is what the counselor and client see as beneficial.

Counselling is often client-centred, the goal is for the client to make the decision on the best course of action with the support of their therapist. The counsellor can provide tools, techniques, suggestions and homework.

Ultimately it is the client who needs to make the decision on what is best for themselves as a key part of the process.

Types of Counselling

Counsellors can specialize and train in different areas to help certain groups of people.

Types of counselling include –

Relationship and Marriage

Vocational and Career

Family Therapy

Trauma

Drug and Alcohol

Rehabilitation

Student

Grief and Loss

Depression

Anxiety

Sex Therapy

Types of counseling may also come from the method or approach that the counsellor uses such as; Behavioural, Cognitive, Systemic, Constructionist, Humanistic or Psychoanalytic.

Faith Based Denominational Counselling

Faith Based Denominational Counselling can be provided through a religious group such a Church or Mosque. It can include Christian Counselling, Muslim Counselling, Buddhist Counselling for example. It can centre around or support a person’s spirituality, faith, belief system and religion.

The benefit of using a denominational counsellor and a counsellor of the same cultural background, is that it may help with rapport and a genuine understanding of your spiritual beliefs and your religious practices and principles. If the therapist shares the same faith with you, they may have understanding of how your faith influences your options and decisions for your life.

Skills Required for Counseling

There are many skills that are required to be an effective counsellor. First and foremost the counsellor must be genuine and can establish rapport with their client. For therapy to be effective the client/counsellor relationship must be healthy, genuine, safe, nonjudgmental and professional.

What are the 3 traits of counselling?

That counsellors are caring, genuine and empathic to towards their clients.

Counsellors should use evidence based treatments from their formal training. Counsellors need to have a very large set of skills in their ‘tool box’ as every human and their situation is so different. Counsellors need to undergo professional development to keep their skill set current and up to date, utilizing best practice methods.

Not every counsellor can help every client. Counselors will need to have a strong community network and resources as part of their skill set. They will need to be able to recognize when they can not help someone and refer clients to alternative mental health supports for counseling.

Finding a Counsellor

Often people will engage in counselling when a crisis has occurred in their lives.

When searching for an appropriate counselling service, don’t be afraid to ask the counsellor questions.

Counsellors will specialise in different areas. You may like to ask the counsellor –

if they have a particular area of expertise (such as marriage counselling or grief and loss)

what each session will cost

the amount of sessions that may be required to achieve your goals for counselling

To ensure that you will receive a professional counselling service, ask your counsellor or psychologist if they are member of one of the peak professional bodies in Australia, such as the Australian Counselling Association and if they adhere to a Professional Code of Ethics.

If you would like assistance to find a therapist near you, to find a psychologist or information on local counselling services, contact us today.

CategoriesCounselling

TagsCounselling, Psychologist

Do I need counselling?

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