CFT

Compassion Focused Therapy for eating disorders

A gentle, evidence-based approach designed to reduce shame, build emotional resilience, and support long-term recovery.

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CFT EXPLAINED

What Is Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)?

Compassion Focused Therapy is a psychological approach designed to help individuals understand, soothe, and regulate difficult emotions such as shame, anxiety, and harsh self-criticism. Many people experiencing eating disorders find they treat themselves far more critically than they would ever treat someone else.

1.25M

people living with an eating disorder

CFT supports the development of warmth, acceptance, and emotional safety, helping people respond to themselves with understanding rather than judgment.

Originally developed for individuals who struggle with self-criticism and emotional overwhelm, compassion focused therapy for eating disorders offers a gentle and grounding path toward recovery.

46%

of Adults feel unhappy about their appearance

ASPECTS OF IMPORTANCE

How CFT Supports Recovery from Eating Disorders

CFT helps build the emotional foundations necessary for recovery by strengthening a person’s ability to respond compassionately to distress, setbacks, and fears around food, weight, and body image. Many individuals with eating disorders experience intense shame, perfectionism, and self-blame – patterns that can maintain or worsen symptoms.

CFT addresses these experiences directly, helping people understand why these responses developed and how to shift them. By increasing emotional safety, improving coping strategies, and supporting healthier relationships with food, body and self, CFT offers a powerful complement to behaviour- and cognition-focused therapies.

THE BENEFITS

Benefits of CFT

  • Reduces shame and self-criticism
  • Helps regulate overwhelming emotions
  • Builds confidence, compassion, and emotional resilience
  • Supports healthier relationships with food and body image
  • Encourages long-term psychological wellbeing
  • Strengthens motivation for recovery

How CFT Differs from Other Therapies

While Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) often focuses on changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, CFT works with the emotional systems underpinning these patterns – particularly fear, threat responses, and shame. CFT teaches individuals how to soothe the nervous system, cultivate emotional grounding, and develop a kinder, more supportive internal voice. For those whose eating disorder is strongly linked to self-criticism or perfectionism, CFT may feel particularly transformative. It is distinct yet highly complementary to other evidence-based therapies.

Personalised Care

What to Expect in a CFT Session

CFT sessions typically involve a combination of guided exercises, reflective conversations, and practical tools that support emotional regulation and build self-compassion. You might explore compassionate imagery, grounding techniques, mindful breathing, or approaches that help reframe long-held patterns of self-judgement. Sessions move at a gentle pace, always tailored to your comfort and readiness. Your therapist will work collaboratively with you to create a sense of safety, stability, and trust throughout the process.

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How It Works

CFT begins with understanding your difficulties, exploring what has contributed to them, and identifying the emotional systems that drive distress. Together, you and your therapist set personalised goals based on the changes that matter most to you. Sessions then focus on developing practical skills, working with the mind and body, and strengthening compassionate ways of relating to yourself.

As treatment progresses, these skills are practised both in sessions and in everyday life. Your therapist will help you apply them to challenges, maintain progress, and build confidence in long-term recovery.

Building Confidence

A Place of Specialist Support

Is CFT Right for Me?

CFT can be especially helpful if you experience strong self-criticism, shame, perfectionism, or overwhelming negative emotions connected to eating, appearance, or self-worth. It may also be supportive if you struggle to feel warmth or acceptance toward yourself, despite logically understanding the need for change. At The London Centre, your clinician will help you explore whether CFT is the best fit and may integrate it with other approaches to suit your needs. Whatever your starting point, you do not need to navigate this alone.

Start your journey

Take the First Step
Towards Recovery

Compassion and understanding can transform the recovery process. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, body image concerns, or the weight of self-criticism, support is available. Our team is here to help you take the next step gently and safely.

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FAQs

FAQs About Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

CFT directly targets the shame, fear, and self-criticism that often maintain eating disorder symptoms. At The London Centre, we integrate CFT with evidence-based approaches to ensure clients feel emotionally safe while working toward behavioural change. Many people find it helps reduce self-judgement and strengthens motivation for recovery.

Treatment length varies depending on your goals and the complexity of your difficulties. Some people find short-term work transformative, while others benefit from longer-term support. Your therapist will discuss the most appropriate timeframe for your needs.

Yes. CFT was developed specifically for individuals who struggle with harsh self-judgement or feelings of inadequacy. Our clinicians use CFT to help you understand these patterns compassionately and develop new, supportive ways of relating to yourself.

Absolutely. CFT is often used alongside treatment for anxiety, depression, and trauma-related difficulties. At The London Centre, we tailor therapy to the whole person, ensuring emotional safety and integrated support.

Yes. Many clients choose online therapy for flexibility, while others prefer in-person sessions at one of our clinics. You can discuss both options with our team to find what feels most comfortable for you.

Yes. CFT can easily be integrated with CBT-E, MANTRA, DBT-informed approaches, dietetic support, and other evidence-based treatments. Your clinician will recommend the right combination based on your needs and goals.

We aim to offer appointments as soon as possible. Our team will match you with a clinician experienced in CFT and eating disorders, ensuring you receive timely, specialist support. You can enquire today to begin the process.