Why is compassion so powerful in healing shame and trauma? In this very special 200th episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast mini-series, Dr Marianne Trent is joined by Professor Paul Gilbert OBE, founder of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). Together, they explore how compassion can soothe the harsh inner critic, reduce shame, and help us build healthier relationships with ourselves and others.

From evolutionary psychology to everyday practices, this episode brings warmth and wisdom to one of the most transformative therapeutic approaches in modern psychology. Whether you’re an aspiring psychologist, a qualified practitioner, or simply curious about compassion, this milestone conversation is packed with insight and inspiration.

⏱️ Highlights & Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and celebrating 200 episodes 🎉

02:15 – Paul Gilbert’s journey into psychology and the origins of CFT

05:20 – Understanding shame: why it’s so pervasive and painful

08:42 – The inner critic: how self-attacking thoughts take hold

11:33 – Why compassion is the antidote to shame and self-criticism

14:10 – Evolution, threat systems, and why our brains get stuck in loops

17:25 – Practical compassion exercises to calm the nervous system

20:54 – How CFT differs from CBT and other therapeutic models

24:19 – Trauma, attachment, and the role of compassion in recovery

28:46 – Building a compassionate mind: soothing rhythm breathing

32:18 – Common misconceptions about compassion (it’s not weakness!)

35:00 – Real-world applications of CFT in clinical and everyday settings

38:12 – Paul’s reflections on bringing compassion into healthcare systems

41:05 – Words of advice for aspiring and early-career psychologists

44:20 – Closing thoughts: why compassion is essential for all of us

#CompassionFocusedTherapy #ShameAndTrauma #MentalHealthPodcast #ProfPaulGilbert

Check out my other episode with Professor Paul Gilbert OBE on Mental Health Careers: https://youtu.be/N40b5TmxQko

📚📲Resources mentioned:

• The Compassionate Mind Book: https://amzn.to/3W7PJ7g
• Paul's website, The Compassionate Mind Foundation: https://www.compassionatemind.co.uk

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Hashtags:

#CompassionFocusedTherapy #Compassion #CFT #ShameAndTrauma #MentalHealthPodcast #ProfPaulGilbert

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Grab your ticket to the Psychologists in Private Practice Social & Networking Event

On Saturday the 6th of Dec 2025 Dr Claire Plumbly and I are hosting another brilliant Psychologists in private Practice Social & Networking event. To learn more and grab your ticket head to: https://gtps.kartra.com/page/Social-Dec-2025