Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is a therapeutic method designed to support individuals who experience feelings of self-criticism and shame. Many times, those struggling with these emotions find it challenging to offer themselves compassion, patience, and kindness, which can result in various mental health issues. Continue reading to discover all the essential insights needed to formulate a Compassion-Focused Therapy Treatment Plan, along with an illustrative example.
Often, clients facing shame and self-criticism have a background marked by bullying, abuse, high emotional expression in their families, neglect, or lack of emotional expression during their upbringing. This can result in them being particularly sensitive to any perceived criticism or rejection, leading to difficulties in both social and workplace environments as adults.
In CFT, you will collaborate with your clients to help them experience reassurance, safety, contentment, and to recognize warmth from those around them. This can be achieved through managing three emotion regulation systems: the threat and protection system, the drive and resource-seeking system, and the contentment, soothing, and safety system.
All living beings, both human and animal, possess a threat-detection and protection system. This system has evolved to shield us and typically operates on a “better safe than sorry” principle. Individuals may become sensitive to what they interpret as threats. Our response choices within this system are shaped both by genetics and past experiences.
Explore our entire collection of Compassion-Focused Therapy Worksheets
The drive and excitement system encourages us to strive for various goals. This can include both basic needs and rewards that exceed them. When you achieve success in a competition or receive a promotion, it can result in feelings of excitement and joy. This reward system can also be stimulating in the context of substance misuse.
The contentment, soothing, and social safety system comes into play when our fundamental needs are satisfied. Consider it as a phase when nothing is required, and you’re not seeking anything. This system serves as an internal mediator for the threat-detection and protection system. The objective of compassion-focused therapy is to assist clients in strengthening this particular system.
Establishing Goals and Objectives in a Compassion-Focused Therapy Treatment Plan
Those dealing with shame or self-critical tendencies often exhibit heightened activity in their threat protection or drive systems. Such clients may struggle to feel secure both within themselves and in their relationships. This phenomenon can arise among adults who have formed anxious or avoidant attachments linked to childhood experiences.
When initiating the development of your compassion-focused therapy treatment plan, it’s crucial to understand the various emotional systems influencing your client. This knowledge typically comes from a thorough mental health evaluation. Once you grasp how shame and self-criticism are contributing to their current difficulties or psychological distress, you can start crafting their tailored CFT treatment plan.
Remember that your treatment plan should align with your chosen therapeutic approach and be attainable for your client. It is wise to base some treatment objectives on the goals or concerns your client expressed during their mental health evaluation.
Furthermore, consider resources that can enhance the effectiveness of your therapy sessions. This may incorporate worksheets from professional platforms like TherapyByPro, which provides a variety of tools for mental health practitioners, including CFT worksheets. Here are some examples of CFT worksheets you might consider:
Components of a Compassion-Focused Therapy Treatment Plan
In the rest of this article, we will concentrate on creating a personalized compassion-focused therapy treatment plan using the TherapyByPro Counseling Treatment Plan Template. This template is adaptable and applicable in diverse clinical settings addressing various mental health disorders. Continue reading for Jane’s narrative.
Jane’s Narrative:
Jane is a 24-year-old woman who has been referred to the outpatient treatment program for substance use disorders at your facility. She recently finished an eight-week residential rehabilitation program that started with medical detox. Jane has faced significant challenges with excessive alcohol consumption since age 19 and took the initiative to seek treatment.
Jane revealed that she lost her job due to inadequate performance, which she acknowledges as connected to her drinking habits. With financial and emotional support from her parents, she has been able to dedicate herself to her recovery and sobriety. Jane has received a diagnosis of severe alcohol use disorder and is now receiving intramuscular Vivitrol injections to assist in her recovery.
Jane mentioned that she developed a tolerance and experienced withdrawal symptoms. She often drank more than she had intended and found it difficult to manage or limit her drinking. Despite attempts to cut down, she has struggled to succeed. Additionally, Jane experiences cravings and has driven under the influence multiple times. Encouraged for her recovery, she has agreed to participate in a five-day-a-week Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), along with individual therapy sessions. Jane also benefits from attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings and has found a supportive home group.
Involved Agencies and Care Coordination Plans
Care coordination starts with the referral from her inpatient treatment provider. This allows you to obtain pertinent information from her previous care provider, including her medication details, which can be communicated to the prescribing doctor within your outpatient program. Make sure to secure the appropriate consent to communicate with her prior treatment provider.
Example for Jane:
Care Coordination: Referring inpatient treatment facility, (123) 456-7890
Clinical Diagnoses
Jane received a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder at her inpatient treatment facility. This diagnosis aligns with the following symptoms:
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- Alcohol is consumed in larger quantities than intended
- A strong desire to cut down that is not achieved
- Experiencing cravings
- Increasing tolerance to alcohol
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- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
- Using alcohol in risky situations
- Persisting in alcohol use despite negative impacts on work
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Jane’s Case Study:
Clinical Diagnosis: Alcohol Use Disorder 303.90 (F10.20), severe
Current Medications and Reactions
During her inpatient treatment, Jane commenced treatment with the intramuscular medication Vivitrol. This medication works by binding to brain receptors, obstructing the pleasurable effects of alcohol. Though she may still feel the physical signs of intoxication, such as poor motor coordination, she will not derive the usual satisfaction from drinking. Jane will collaborate with the on-site physician to ensure ongoing access to this medication.
Jane’s Medication Example:
Current Medications: Vivitrol injection administered monthly
Presenting Issues and Associated Symptoms
This section should encompass a conceptual understanding of Jane’s presenting challenges. The details provided will correlate with the forthcoming aims of the treatment plan.
Jane’s Case Context:
Jane is a 24-year-old woman who has been referred to outpatient treatment following an eight-week residential rehab program, which included medical detox. She has faced challenges with heavy alcohol consumption since age 19 and sought treatment on her own initiative. Diagnosed with severe alcohol use disorder, Jane has encountered tolerance and withdrawal symptoms and finds it hard to control her drinking despite attempts to cut back. She has also shared experiences of cravings, drinking more than intended, and partaking in high-risk activities, including drinking and driving.
Jane’s alcohol use has profoundly affected her life, leading to job loss due to subpar work performance. With financial and emotional support from her parents, she is prioritizing her recovery process. Currently, Jane is receiving Vivitrol injections to support her recovery efforts and has committed to an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) running five days a week alongside individual therapy. She values her participation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings and has established a supportive home group.
Aims and Objectives
This section should specify the distinct aims based on Jane’s goals and the therapeutic framework being applied. Ensure that these objectives are both practical and achievable considering Jane’s present challenges and resources.
Goals for Jane:
Objective 1: Enhance Emotional Regulation
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- Sub-Objective 1: Practice soothing rhythm breathing exercises to manage emotional distress
- Sub-Objective 2: Recognize emotional triggers and devise compassionate responses
- Sub-Objective 3: Engage in compassionate letter writing weekly to reflect on and address difficult emotions
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Objective 2: Foster Self-Compassion and Reduce Self-Criticism
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- Sub-Objective 1: Utilize guided imagery exercises to stimulate the soothing system
- Sub-Objective 2: Incorporate daily compassion-based self-talk at home
- Sub-Objective 3: Journal at least once per week to delve into and process the roots of self-criticism
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Objective 3: Cultivate Compassion for Others
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- Sub-Objective 1: Engage in perspective-taking exercises to understand and express compassion
- Sub-Objective 2: Commit to at least one daily act of kindness
- Sub-Objective 3: Participate in role-playing sessions to refine compassionate communication skills
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Specific Techniques to Employ
This segment should list targeted techniques that will aid Jane’s progress throughout her treatment.
Jane’s Techniques:
Technique 1:
Engage in self-compassionate dialogue
Accountable Individual: Jane
Technique 2:
Journaling to explore thoughts on self-criticism
Accountable Individual: Jane
Technique 3:
Practice soothing rhythm breathing exercises
Accountable Individual: Jane
Technique 4:
Conduct functional analyses of emotional triggers
Accountable Individuals: Counselor A and Jane
Technique 5:
Engage in perspective-taking activities to gain insight into others’ views
Accountable Individuals: Counselor A and Jane
Family Engagement
At present, including her family in the treatment does not seem necessary. Jane’s parents are providing her with financial support, enabling her focus on recovery. If circumstances change, family sessions may be recommended in the future.
Jane’s Family Engagement Status:
Family Involvement: None currently
Additional Resources and Strategies
Jane is actively involved in Alcoholics Anonymous and has established connections within her local AA group.
Jane’s Additional Resources:
Additional Services: Participation in community AA meetings
Estimated Duration for Completion
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) can vary in length, typically between eight and twelve weeks. During this phase, Jane will attend group therapy five days a week and have weekly individual therapy sessions. Given the severity of her alcohol use disorder, we anticipate an initial commitment of three months for IOP. We will subsequently reassess her treatment requirements and may adjust her schedule as needed.
Jane’s Estimated Completion Period:
Estimated Duration: Twelve weeks of IOP treatment; Participating in group therapy five days each week along with one individual session weekly.
Aftercare Strategies
The aftercare plan should be drafted as if Jane was to leave treatment today. This is a crucial aspect of Jane’s treatment strategy because she is currently under medication,
and has just finished an inpatient treatment program.
Example for Jane:
Post-treatment Plans: Schedule an appointment with the primary care provider for ongoing medication management, and discuss suitable outpatient treatment options.
Concluding Remarks on Designing a Treatment Plan for Compassion-Focused Therapy
We appreciate you taking the time to learn about crafting a CFT treatment strategy! Compassion-focused therapy is an effective therapeutic method that can significantly aid various mental health issues and disorders. Besides working on deep-seated feelings of shame and self-criticism, clients can enhance their emotion regulation abilities, leading to less daily psychological distress.
When the soothing system is activated, clients start to feel more secure within themselves and in their surroundings. This transition can be life-changing, promoting emotional resilience and strengthening their interpersonal connections.
If you’re curious about compassion-focused therapy and its application in your area of work, we suggest looking into training and continuing education options. Empowerment through knowledge is vital, and having a comprehensive skill set in a clinical environment enables you to offer well-rounded care for your clients.