ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the theoretical framework from which the author, as Louis' therapist, was practicing. It then discusses Louis' case, and specifically, the role of the therapist's tears, in more depth. The author was practicing a form of evidence-based therapy known as compassion-focused therapy (CFT). Developed by Paul Gilbert in the United Kingdom, CFT is a multimodal psychotherapy approach grounded in affective neuroscience, behavioral research, evolutionary psychology, and developmental psychology of attachment. One important aspect of CFT is its focus on evolutionary psychology. For centuries, global wisdom traditions have taught that consciously training the mind in compassion, through mindfulness and imagery practices which CFT actively incorporates, could have abundant benefits for personal well-being and growth. Just as CFT teaches clients to respond to their emotional experiences in the present moment with mindfulness and self-compassion, CFT therapist does not deploy any specific skills to manage or "cope" with the feelings that might result in therapist crying in session.
