Compassion in a T-Shirt

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I sit down with Tom Midgley—CBT and Compassion Focused Psychotherapist, Specialist Eating Disorders Dietitian, and Founding Director of The Body Image Treatment Clinic in London. Together, we explore the deeply personal and psychological aspects of body image, and how compassion can play a powerful role in transforming mental health. Tom shares his journ...

London-based psychotherapist Graham Music works in private practice and with the NHS, and has worked at the Tavistock and Portman Clinics for over 15 years. He teaches and lectures on various courses in the UK and abroad, lectures internationally, and has published widely, in academic journals, and edited and sole-authored books. Here, we discuss his experiences at the Tavistock Clinic, his journe...

Join me as I explore the transformative power of compassion with Rory Cahill, a passionate psychotherapist, lecturer, and trainer specialising in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). Rory shares his unique approach to making mental health and wellbeing training engaging, practical, and accessible , even for those who might be sceptical. From corporate workplaces to schools and healthcare settings, he...

Join me on Compassion in a T Shirt as I speak with Dr. Chase Sherwell, a Principal Research Technician at the Compassionate Mind Research Group, about his latest study on self compassion in autistic adults. We discuss the challenges autistic individuals face with self criticism and emotional regulation, and how compassion focused therapy can provide support. The conversation delves into key findin...

[This episode with Dr Clodagh Dowling is from a YouTube episode aired on 7 March 2021. It is released here as a podcast to compliment the episode with her released last Friday (7 March 2025).] "All things start with small steps, and that's a learning in compassion; great things come with small steps." Dr Clodagh Dowling is a practicing Clinical Psychologist and Director of Psychology at St Patrick...

Join me in this enlightening episode of 'Compassion in a T-Shirt' as I welcome back Dr. Clodagh Dowling, a clinical psychologist specializing in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) for Eating Disorders (CFT-E). We dive into the critical role of compassion in treating eating disorders, discussing the phases of CFT-E, the impact of biological factors, and the gradual process of instilling self-compassi...

Dr Kate Lucre is a Birmingham-based Compassion Focused Therapist and Supervisor specialising in the use of CFT for complex trauma, personality and relational difficulties for groups and individual. She has recently published a paper presenting 12-month outcome data on Compassion Focused Group Psychotherapy (CFGP) for people with personality disorder, and attachment and relational trauma and traged...

Join me on 'Compassion in a T Shirt' with special guest Dr. Allan Zuckoff, a clinical psychologist and expert in motivational interviewing. We dive into the concept of ambivalence, its associated discomfort, and how people often get stuck. And we discover the benefits of ambivalence, including how it can signal the need to slow down and promote resilience. Allan also shares practical tips for navi...

Dr Russell Kolts is Professor of Psychology at Eastern Washington University and an expert in compassion focused therapy for anger. We discuss ANGER, COMPASSION AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE STRONG. And Russell offers TRICKS FOR RESPONDING TO YOUR ANGRY SELF. Russell has authored or coauthored numerous scholarly articles and books, including CFT Made Simple, CFT from the Inside Out, An Open-Hearted Life...

In this episode of 'Compassion in a T Shirt,' I am joined by Lisa Williams, an experienced cognitive behavior therapist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. We explore the integration of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) into treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Lisa discusses her journey incorporating CFT into her practice, the importance of understanding early life experien...

Professor Nicole Lee is an expert int he HARM REDUCTION MODEL OF ADDICTION TREATMENT. She has described "harm reduction" as "what happens when you take judgement and moralising out of the equation and just look after people." When it comes to working with those suffering from alcohol and other drug addictions, she sees HARM REDUCTION AS AN ACT OF COMPASSION. Some people are prone to make statement...

[BONUS EPISODE] In this very special episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I sit down with none other than ChatGPT for a fascinating deep dive into Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)! 🎙️🤖 We cover everything from Paul Gilbert’s evolutionary model of the mind to why self-criticism is so common and how to actually train compassion as a skill. Along the way, we explore CFT’s unique take on self-compassi...

In this episode of 'Compassion in a T-Shirt,' I explore the intersection of psychology and nutrition with Jennifer D'Aubyn, an experienced psychological therapist and nutritional therapist. We discuss Jen's journey in integrating psychotherapy and nutritional therapy, the psychology behind eating habits, and her research on nutritional interventions for long COVID. We dive into the role of diet in...

Depression can be very painful. We can feel exhausted and helpless, withdraw, and lose connection with others. In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, esteemed psychiatrist Dr. Gregoris Simos discusses depression, understanding intense moods, and exploring effective treatments, particularly through Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). About Dr. Gregoris Simos: Dr. Gregoris Simos, MD, is a profess...

In this episode of 'Compassion in a T-Shirt,' I speak with Dr. James Hackley, a clinical psychologist at the University of Manchester, about compassion focused chair work. We delve into Dr. Hackley's research on using chair work to help people with depression connect with their compassionate selves and navigate self-criticism. Key points include the social mentality theory, CFT's multi-modal appro...

[This episode with Bruno Cignacco is from a YouTube episode aired on 19 July 2024.] Love makes business better?? Yes! Not sentimental love, but humanistic love and compassion can aid in employee health and well-being, nurture collaboration with competitors, develop better relationships with investors and suppliers, and increase efficiency, productivity and the bottom line. Here is a conversation w...

[This episode with Laura Berland and Evan Harrel is from a YouTube episode aired on 12 July 2024.] How can I be a strong leader, and a compassionate one? How can I compassionately motivate people to work towards shared goals? How can I bring courage, curiosity and love into my leadership roles? How can I have the difficult conversations, but also stay true to my values around compassion and treati...

[This episode with Dr Chris Germer is from a YouTube episode aired on 16 February 2024.] “A moment of self-compassion can change your entire day. A string of such moments can change the course of your life.” Chris Germer, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and lecturer on psychiatry (part-time) at Harvard Medical School. He co-developed the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program with Kristin Neff in 2...

In this episode of 'Compassion in a T Shirt,' I have a fascinating conversation with Dr. Deanna Varley, a rising star in the field of compassion research. We discuss her journey and groundbreaking meta-analysis on the fascinating interplay between attachment styles and fears of compassion. Dr. Varley explains attachment theory, detailing its origins and various attachment styles and their impacts...

[This episode with Dr James Kirby is from a YouTube episode aired on 25 November 2022. It is released here as a podcast to compliment the episode with Dr Emiliana Simon-Thomas, which discussed the science of compassion, released last Friday (17 January 2025).] Dr James Kirby is the co-director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at the University of Queensland. He studies the effectiveness of...

In this episode of 'Compassion in a T-Shirt', I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Emiliana Simon-Thomas, a leading expert in the neuroscience and psychology of compassion. Dr. Simon-Thomas discusses her extensive research at UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, where she examines the biological, psychological, and social facets of compassion. With insights on how compassion improves our health, happ...

“I’m not going to take your ambition away, I’m just going to help you not drown in it.” Michaela Thomas is a UK-based Clinical Psychologist and couples therapist with over fifteen years' experience. She established and runs The Thomas Connection, and has recently published a couples and compassion book called "The Lasting Connection". Michaela's special interests lie in Compassion Focused Therapy,...

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I welcome Dr. Jill Stoddard, a clinical psychologist and author of 'Imposter No More'. We dive deep into the concept of imposter syndrome, explore its evolutionary roots, and discuss various subtypes. Dr. Stoddard highlights the role of self-doubt and self-criticism in perpetuating these feelings and underscores the importance of psychological flexibilit...

Join me in an enlightening episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt where I sit down with Shannon McNeair, a pioneering psychologist and proud Aboriginal woman. We delve into Shannon's professional journey from policing to psychology, emphasizing her dedication to cultural understanding and healing within Aboriginal communities. We explore the importance of deep listening, the multifaceted nature of com...

Dr Rebecca Poz is a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist working for the NHS and in private practice in the UK. She works across assessment, rehabilitation, psychotherapy and education, and has a particular interest in working with older adults, approaching the work through a compassion focused lens. Rebecca has contributed chapters and papers discussing using compassion focused therapy wit...