ABSTRACT
This book has outlined the basic model of CFT. It is a sciencebased and multi-focused approach as opposed to a ``school of therapy''-based model. It is not a Buddhist model, although it clearly values and utilizes Buddhist insights and teachings. Germer (2009) gives an excellent overview of a more Buddhist approach, blending mindfulness with a number of compassion focused exercises. This is written as a self-help book and can therefore be recommended to clients. CFT is rooted in evolutionary theory, the neuroscience of affect regulation, the way new and older brain systems interact (such as with mentalizing and theory of mind competencies) and the qualities of (social) relationships. It utilizes ®ndings from developmental, social and other branches of psychology and it is closely aligned with many behavioural concepts such as emotional conditioning. So, CFT seeks to recruit and integrate knowledge from the scienti®c study of psychology and develop therapies from that position rather than any ``speci®c school of therapy'' approach.
