Compassionate Self — Compassion-Focused Therapy

The central CFT technique — identifying with the "best version of self", the part that holds wisdom, strength, and warmth. It draws on the "acting method": the client literally embodies the role of the compassionate being, using body, voice, breath. Unlike the compassionate image of another, here the emphasis is that compassion is an already existing potential within the client. Most other CFT practices are carried out from this position.

Step-by-step guide

Lead SRB
Explain the idea: "Each of us has a potential for wisdom, strength, and warmth. We are going to 'step into' that part of ourselves"
Ask for a "confident, open" posture — not arrogant, but grounded and warm
Invite imagining: "What are you like when you are wise? When you find strength and warmth in yourself?"
From this position, turn the gaze toward the suffering part of self
What would the compassionate self want to say to the suffering part?

When to use

As the "working position" for all imagery and chair techniques in CFT
When working with self-criticism
Before writing a compassionate letter to oneself
In acute crises of self-esteem and shame

Key phrases

Imagine that you have a part of you that is deeply wise — it understands how suffering, fear, shame work. Try literally to take the posture of this part of you: open the shoulders a little, set the feet steadily.

Follow-up questions

How does this position feel in the body?

Alternative phrasings

This is not a permanent state — it is what you are capable of. Like an actor stepping into a role.

Warnings

⚠️ Clients with high shame may reject the idea ("there is nothing wise in me") — normalize, start with "as if"
⚠️ Do not confuse with "positive thinking" — the compassionate self does not deny suffering, it meets it
⚠️ With dissociative disorders — check whether the "compassionate self" is a dissociative part

Source: Gilbert P. 2010