Resources for Getting Started
Recorded Meditations
Here are some recordings of some basic meditations that are core to Compassion Focused Therapy. All meditations were borrowed with permission from Dennis Tirch and recorded by Dr. Kari Killianey.
These are not intended to be used as a substitute for working with a mental health professional or a qualified teacher of meditation, but they can hopefully offer a starting point for exploring the cultivation of compassion.
Recommended Reading
Mindful Compassion
by Paul Gilbert and Choden
A seminal book on compassion from two great thinkers in the field, including the founder of Compassion Focused Therapy. This book is substantive but readable.
The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook
by Kristin Neff and Chris Germer
The go-to workbook by the wonderful Kristin Neff, whose approach to self-compassion is based on strong research and has been enthusiastically adopted by the many people she has helped.
The Compassionate Mind Workbook
by Elaine Beaumont and Chris Irons
The go-to workbook offering people guidance for embarking on a compassion-focused journey, with or without a therapist’s help.
Self-Compassion Program
Kristin Neff offers a self-compassion program based on mindfulness, kindness to self, and finding common humanity. You can find it here: