ABSTRACT
Some people with complex mental health problems are labelled ‘personality disordered’ but are better conceptualised in terms of suffering from ruptures in their attachment and interpersonal relating systems. These make it difficult to utilise the psychophysiological mechanisms underpinning affiliative and compassionate care systems. A five-phase approach to compassion focused group psychotherapy to address these early ruptures is described. Cultivating the conditions for safeness, is introduced, as the basis for compassionate mind training (CMT) and compassion focused trauma therapy. Clinical examples and qualitative data are presented from our group-based intervention that support the use of specific embodiment and trauma-focused interventions enabling patients to work with and through their fears, blocks, and resistances to the giving and receiving of compassion.
