Grounding Psychotherapy in Self-Compassion
Edited by Galia Tyano Ronen and Shari Geller
Foreword by Steven C. Hayes
Request a free digital professor copy on VitalSource ?“Our profession is abuzz with ideas for how we can bring the promise of self-compassion into the consulting room. The editors and their chapter-author colleagues lay out what we know and what we don’t, and make concrete suggestions that can be integrated into our healing work and scientific efforts today.”
—from the Foreword by Steven C. Hayes, PhD, Foundation Professor of Psychology Emeritus, University of Nevada, Reno; codeveloper of acceptance and commitment therapy
“This stunning volume offers cutting-edge insights by top experts from around the globe. It provides a comprehensive understanding of how self-compassion can transform the therapeutic relationship and can help both therapists and clients be with painful thoughts and emotions with more space, warmth, and resilience. In addition to providing foundational knowledge, the book gives concrete, pragmatic suggestions for therapists to incorporate self-compassion into their practice.”
—Kristin Neff, PhD, Department of Educational Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin; cofounder, Center for Mindful Self-Compassion
“An invaluable resource that bridges the gap between self-compassion and trauma-informed care. The book offers a wealth of strategies, from grounding techniques to mindfulness practices, all designed to support clients on their healing journeys.”
—David Treleaven, PhD, developer of Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness
“This volume explores a breadth of perspectives on self-compassion as a transformative element in psychotherapy. Self-compassion is presented as a therapeutic orientation and practice that benefits not only clients, but also therapists. The book spans both the theory and practice of self-compassion and uses memorable case examples to illustrate practical applications with diverse clinical populations. This book is a valuable resource for both seasoned and new clinicians from a range of theoretical orientations.”
—Joanna Arch, PhD, Yvonne Kristy Endowed Chair, Renée Crown Wellness Institute, and Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder
“This comprehensive work is rich with insights, research, and wisdom for clinicians and students dedicated to integrating self-compassion deeply into their work. Contributors offer a thorough overview of the application of self-compassion to a broad range of client concerns. The book also offers practical guidance on how therapists can extend self-compassion to themselves, thereby fostering presence and enhancing effectiveness.”
—Jason Luoma, PhD, Cofounder, Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, and Training Center; Senior Scientist, Portland Institute for Psychedelic Science
“Self-compassion in therapy is a powerful approach, and this fine handbook illuminates how it can be understood and employed.”
—Jack Kornfield, PhD, author of The Wise Heart
Table of Contents
Foreword, Steven C. HayesIntroduction: Where Do We Begin Our Journey?, Galia Tyano Ronen & Shari Geller
I. Self-Compassion as a Change Process
1. A Model of Self-Compassion-Based Therapy, Christopher Germer 
2. Compassion and Self-Compassion: A Biopsychosocial and Evolutionary Approach, Paul Gilbert
3. Expanding the Contemporary Meaning of “Self”: An Interpersonal Neurobiology Perspective on Inner-Compassion and Intraconnection, Elli Weisbaum, Shelby L. Alsup, & Daniel J. Siegel
4. Working with Challenges of Cross-Cultural Psychotherapy with Self-Compassion, Sydney Spears & Tracy Ochester
5. Why Does Self-Compassion Work?: Implications for Psychotherapy Practice, José Ramón, Yela Bernabé, & Antonio Crego Díaz
II. A Self-Compassion-Based Clinician: What Shapes and Informs Practice
6. Exploring the Interplay between Therapeutic Presence and Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy, Shari Geller
7. The Power of a Self-Compassionate Mindset, Shauna Shapiro, Shayda Roohparvar, & Jill Lillie
8. Cultivating the Practice of Self-Compassion, Galia Tyano Ronen
9. Self-Compassion: A Powerful Addition to Trauma Therapy, Susan M. Pollak
10. The Inner Process of Inquiry in Psychotherapy, Steven Hickman
III. Applications of Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy
11. Self-Compassion for Shame in Psychotherapy, Christopher Germer
12. Alcoholism, Addictions, and Self-Compassion, Alfie Wishart
13. Compassion and Self-Compassion for Depression, Paul Gilbert
14. Implementing Self-Compassion in the Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder, Christian Stiglmayr
15. Cultivating Self-Compassion in Response to Anxiety, Lizabeth Roemer, Gerson F. Borrero, Molly Sawdy, & Jessica R. LoPresti
16. The Process of Self-Compassion in Eating Disorder Recovery, Ann Saffi Biasetti
17. Couple and Relationship Distress: The Power of Self-Compassion Training in Therapy, Michelle Becker
18. Self-Compassion and Teens, Lisa Shetler & Lorraine M. Hobbs
19. Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Chronic Pain, Ronald D. Siegel
20. Integrating Self-Compassion into Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Other Third-Wave Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies, Benjamin Weinstein
- Concluding Reflections: Integrating Self-Compassion into Psychotherapy, Shari Geller & Galia Tyano Ronen
- Appendix. Practices and Exercises
- Index
- List of Audio Files
Audio Downloads:
1. Self-Compassion Break (5:54)
2. Giving and Receiving Compassion (21:20)
3. Compassion Practice Sequences to Aid Cultivating Compassion Brain, Body, and Mind States (21:25)
4. Self-Compassion Practice for My Social and Cultural Identities (11:23)
5. Soften, Calm, Allow (16:09)
6. Embodied Presence Practice: Core Body Centering (5:28)
7. Sitting Compassion Meditation Practice (7:36)
8. The Practice of Self-Compassion with Equanimity (14:38)
9. Anchoring Safely in the Body Practice (2:42)
10. Self-Compassion Break for Shame (7:49)
11. Being with Difficult Emotions (16:09)
12. Feet, Spine, and Seat: Welcoming the Body into the Room/Body Forgiveness Practice (9:22)
13. Exercise to Help Identify Relational Patterns (4:17)
14. Holding Your Own Hand Practice (A Modified Soothing Touch) (7:16)
15. Separating Pain from Aversion (7:07)
16. Kind Coach (8:47)
17. Mindfulness through Music (2:09)
18. Modified “Compassionate Friend” Practice (4:29)
About the Editors
Galia Tyano Ronen, MA, LCP, a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Israel, serves on the faculty of the Shiluv Mind Body Spirit Center, affiliated with the University of Haifa. She has specialized in mind–body–spirit mindfulness-based psychotherapy and supervision since the 1990s. Ms. Tyano Ronen is an artist, a certified focusing-oriented therapist, a certified mindfulness meditation teacher and mentor trained by Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield, and a certified mindful self-compassion (MSC) teacher. She is program developer and former director of the Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy Certificate Program offered by the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. Ms. Tyano Ronen has pioneered MSC in Israel, has led worldwide workshops, and is responsible for the translation of the MSC program into Hebrew and for creating a bilingual MSC course for Arabs and Jews.Shari Geller, PhD, a leader in the field of therapeutic presence, is founder and co-director of the Centre for MindBody Health in Toronto. A certified mindful self-compassion teacher who has been weaving psychology and mindfulness since the 1990s, Dr. Geller teaches internationally and has published several books, as well as book chapters and articles. She serves on the teaching faculty in Health Psychology at York University and is Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto, in association with the Music and Health Research Collaboratory. Dr. Geller is a faculty member of the Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy Certificate Program offered by the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion and is chair of the Membership and Networking Committee of the International Society for Emotion Focused Therapy. She loves playing the handpan and drumming and founded the Therapeutic Rhythm and Mindfulness program.
Contributors
Shelby L. Alsup, doctoral candidate, Department of Psychology, Pacific University, Forest Grove, ORMichelle Becker, MA, LMFT, Center for Mindfulness, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA
José Ramón Yela Bernabé, PhD, Department of Psychology, Pontifical University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
Ann Saffi Biasetti, PhD, LCSWR, An Embodied Life, Saratoga Springs, NY
Gerson F. Borrero, MSc, Department of Psychology, Suffolk University, Boston, MA
Antonio Crego Díaz, PhD, Department of Psychology, Pontifical University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
Shari Geller, PhD, CPsych, Centre for MindBody Health and Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
Christopher Germer, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Paul Gilbert, PhD, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, England
Steven Hickman, PsyD (retired), Centers for Integrative Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Lorraine M. Hobbs, MA, Youth and Family Programs, Center for Mindfulness, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA
Jill Lillie, MA, School of Education and Counseling Psychology, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
Jessica R. LoPresti, PhD, Department of Psychology, Suffolk University, Boston, MA
Tracy Ochester, PsyD, Midwest Alliance for Mindfulness, Leawood, KS
Susan M. Pollak, EdD, MTS, Center for Mindfulness and Compassion, Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA
Lizabeth Roemer, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA
Shayda Roohparvar, MA, School of Education and Counseling Psychology, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
Molly Sawdy, MS, Department of Psychology, Suffolk University, Boston, MA
Shauna Shapiro, PhD, School of Education and Counseling Psychology, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
Lisa Shetler, MA, Embrace Psychology and Consulting, Gawler, South Australia, Australia
Daniel J. Siegel, MD, Mindsight Institute, Santa Monica, CA
Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Sydney S. Spears, PhD, LSCSW (retired), School of Social Welfare, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS; Center for Mindful Self-Compassion, Austin, TX
Christian Stiglmayr, PhD, Working Group for Scientific Psychotherapy Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Galia Tyano Ronen, MA, LCP, Shiluv Mind Body Spirit Center, Kiryat Tivon, Israel
Benjamin Weinstein, PhD, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chang Mai, Thailand
Elli Weisbaum, PhD, Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Alfie Wishart, MRC, LPC, LCDC, Wishart Counseling, Dallas, TX