Browse therapists who specialize in Compassion-Focused Therapy. Watch their intro videos to find the right fit before booking.
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) is an approach developed by Dr. Paul Gilbert that helps people who struggle with self-criticism and shame. By understanding how our minds evolved and developing the capacity for self-compassion, CFT helps shift patterns of self-attack toward patterns of self-soothing and care. It integrates insights from neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, and contemplative practices.
On First Session, you can browse therapists who offer CFT and watch their intro videos to get a sense of their warmth. All therapists have their credentials verified during onboarding. Whether you prefer online or in-person sessions, you can book directly or request a free consultation to find the right match.
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Victoria Gabriele
Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Etobicoke, )
Virtual Sessions in AB and ON.
Waitlist
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Victoria Gabriele
Registered Social Worker
Offers Free Consultation
$160/session
ADHD, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Anger Management, Attachment wounds, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Coping Skills, Dating challenges, Emotional regulation, Health anxiety, Life transitions, Low mood, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness and stress reduction, Negative thinking and ruminating, OCD, Panic attacks, PTSD, Trauma processing, Work-Life Balance, Workplace stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions
ADHD, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Anger Management, Attachment wounds, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Coping Skills, Dating challenges, Emotional regulation, Health anxiety, Life transitions, Low mood, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness and stress reduction, Negative thinking and ruminating, OCD, Panic attacks, PTSD, Trauma processing, Work-Life Balance, Workplace stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions
Virtual Sessions in ON, AB, SK, MB, NL, NU, YT, and NT.
Waitlist
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Anh Duffy
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
Offers Free Consultation
$130/session
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), BIPOC, Anxiety, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Attachment trauma, Body Dysmorphia, Children/Teens, Cultural Challenges, Depression, Family Conflict, General Mental Health, Grief and Loss, Intergenerational trauma, LGBTQ2IA+, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Negative thinking and ruminating, Perfectionism, Problematic video gaming, Racism, Relationships, Social anxiety, Stress, Suicidal ideation, Trauma, Women's Health
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), BIPOC, Anxiety, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Attachment trauma, Body Dysmorphia, Children/Teens, Cultural Challenges, Depression, Family Conflict, General Mental Health, Grief and Loss, Intergenerational trauma, LGBTQ2IA+, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Negative thinking and ruminating, Perfectionism, Problematic video gaming, Racism, Relationships, Social anxiety, Stress, Suicidal ideation, Trauma, Women's Health
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment, BIPOC, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Building Self-Care Routines, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Confidence, Conflict resolution, Couples Therapy, Cultural Challenges, Depression coping skills, Emotional regulation, Existential questions, General Mental Health, Goal Setting, Identity and Self-Exploration, Intergenerational trauma, Life transitions, Mindfulness Practices, Negative thinking and ruminating, Neurodiversity, OCD, Self-esteem, Social anxiety
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment, BIPOC, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Building Self-Care Routines, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Confidence, Conflict resolution, Couples Therapy, Cultural Challenges, Depression coping skills, Emotional regulation, Existential questions, General Mental Health, Goal Setting, Identity and Self-Exploration, Intergenerational trauma, Life transitions, Mindfulness Practices, Negative thinking and ruminating, Neurodiversity, OCD, Self-esteem, Social anxiety
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, ADHD, Assertiveness, Attachment trauma, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Burnout, Couples, Dating challenges, Effective communication, Depression coping skills, Identity and Self-Exploration, Interpersonal dynamics, General Mental Health, Maternal mental health, Nervous system regulation, Grief and Loss, Familial and social relationships, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Self-esteem, Self-Criticism, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Mind-body connection, Depression
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, ADHD, Assertiveness, Attachment trauma, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Burnout, Couples, Dating challenges, Effective communication, Depression coping skills, Identity and Self-Exploration, Interpersonal dynamics, General Mental Health, Maternal mental health, Nervous system regulation, Grief and Loss, Familial and social relationships, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Self-esteem, Self-Criticism, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Mind-body connection, Depression
Parenting, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Attachment, Assertiveness, Borderline Personality Disorder, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Break-up recovery, Confidence, Couples Therapy, Dating challenges, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Family issues, Family Conflict, Women's Health, Workplace stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Supervising qualifying therapists, Stress, Social anxiety, Self-Development, Relationships, Pregnancy, Postnatal Care
Parenting, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Attachment, Assertiveness, Borderline Personality Disorder, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Break-up recovery, Confidence, Couples Therapy, Dating challenges, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Family issues, Family Conflict, Women's Health, Workplace stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Supervising qualifying therapists, Stress, Social anxiety, Self-Development, Relationships, Pregnancy, Postnatal Care
Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon
Ontario
British Columbia
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Newfoundland and Labrador
Yukon
Michelle Brewer
Counselling Therapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Edmonton, AB)
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
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Michelle Brewer
Counselling Therapist
she/her/hers
Offers Free Consultation
$210/session
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, ADHD, Attachment trauma, Attachment wounds, Body Dysmorphia, Boundaries and boundary setting, Childhood trauma, College or University Coaching, Break-up recovery, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Eating disorders, Fertility, Group Therapy, Mind-body connection, Mindfulness, Negative body image, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parental divorce, People pleasing, Personal Growth, Trauma, Women's Health
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, ADHD, Attachment trauma, Attachment wounds, Body Dysmorphia, Boundaries and boundary setting, Childhood trauma, College or University Coaching, Break-up recovery, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Eating disorders, Fertility, Group Therapy, Mind-body connection, Mindfulness, Negative body image, Negative thinking and ruminating, Parental divorce, People pleasing, Personal Growth, Trauma, Women's Health
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Nunavut
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Lauren Browman
Registered Psychotherapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Lauren Browman
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
Offers Free Consultation
$160/session
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Life transitions, Relationships, Childhood trauma, Attachment, Nervous system regulation, People pleasing, OCD, Chronic Illness, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Life transitions, Relationships, Childhood trauma, Attachment, Nervous system regulation, People pleasing, OCD, Chronic Illness, Identity and Self-Exploration
Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador
Ontario
Manitoba
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Newfoundland and Labrador
Alexa Harder
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Vancouver, BC)
Virtual Sessions in BC and AB.
Waitlist
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Alexa Harder
Registered Clinical Counsellor
she/her/hers
Offers Free Consultation
$165/session
Eating disorders, Perinatal, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment wounds, Body Dysmorphia, Boundaries and boundary setting, Depression, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Relationships, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Overwhelm, Familial and social relationships, Fertility, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Negative body image, Nervous system regulation, OCD, Building Self-Care Routines, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Eating disorders, Perinatal, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment wounds, Body Dysmorphia, Boundaries and boundary setting, Depression, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Relationships, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Overwhelm, Familial and social relationships, Fertility, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Negative body image, Nervous system regulation, OCD, Building Self-Care Routines, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Emotional regulation, Relationships, Cultural Challenges, People pleasing, Transitioning into Adulthood, Attachment wounds, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Emotional regulation, Relationships, Cultural Challenges, People pleasing, Transitioning into Adulthood, Attachment wounds, Identity and Self-Exploration
Virtual Sessions in MB, NT, AB, NU, YT, NL, BC, SK, and ON.
Waitlist
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Lydia Azaribe
Canadian Certified Counsellor
She/her
Offers Free Consultation
$120/session
Anxiety, Burnout, Depression, ADHD, Attention and Impulsivity, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anger, Aging, Attachment, Behaviour, Behavioural Issues, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Career guidance, Caregivers, Cultural Challenges, Christian counselling, Conflict resolution, Effective communication, Depression coping skills, Goal Setting, Emotional regulation, BIPOC
Anxiety, Burnout, Depression, ADHD, Attention and Impulsivity, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anger, Aging, Attachment, Behaviour, Behavioural Issues, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Career guidance, Caregivers, Cultural Challenges, Christian counselling, Conflict resolution, Effective communication, Depression coping skills, Goal Setting, Emotional regulation, BIPOC
Manitoba, Ontario, Yukon, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan
Central & South America
Manitoba
Ontario
Yukon
Nunavut
Northwest Territories
Alberta
British Columbia
Newfoundland and Labrador
Saskatchewan
Samudyatha Hiremagalore
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Surrey, BC)
Virtual Sessions in AB, BC, NB, and ON.
Waitlist
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Samudyatha Hiremagalore
Registered Clinical Counsellor
She/Her/Hers
Offers Free Consultation
$160/session
Break-up recovery, Attachment, Relationships, Couples, Conflict resolution, Cultural Challenges, Dating challenges, Deep connections, Family issues, People pleasing, Separation and divorce, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), BIPOC
Break-up recovery, Attachment, Relationships, Couples, Conflict resolution, Cultural Challenges, Dating challenges, Deep connections, Family issues, People pleasing, Separation and divorce, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), BIPOC
Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Ontario, New Brunswick, Yukon, Nunavut, Alberta, Quebec, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan
Prince Edward Island
Manitoba
Northwest Territories
Ontario
New Brunswick
Yukon
Nunavut
Alberta
Quebec
Nova Scotia
Michèle Dawn
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Edmonton, AB)
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
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Michèle Dawn
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
She/Her
Offers Free Consultation
$150/session
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Nervous system regulation, Emotional regulation, ADHD, Anxiety, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Burnout, Building Self-Care Routines, Career guidance, Creativity, Dating challenges, Decision making, Goal Setting, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Imposter syndrome, Overwhelm, Stress, Wellness Counselling, Negative thinking and ruminating, Habits
Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Nervous system regulation, Emotional regulation, ADHD, Anxiety, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Burnout, Building Self-Care Routines, Career guidance, Creativity, Dating challenges, Decision making, Goal Setting, Life transitions, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Imposter syndrome, Overwhelm, Stress, Wellness Counselling, Negative thinking and ruminating, Habits
Manitoba, Ontario, Northwest Territories, New Brunswick, Yukon, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, Quebec, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Ontario
Northwest Territories
New Brunswick
Yukon
Nunavut
Prince Edward Island
Alberta
Quebec
Nova Scotia
Shane Pokroy
Registered Psychotherapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Shane Pokroy
Registered Psychotherapist
Offers Free Consultation
$165/session
Self-Development, Empowerment, Mental performance, Mindfulness, Overwhelm, Motivation, Perfectionism, Goal Setting, Stress, Burnout, Productivity, Relationships, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Negative thinking and ruminating, Career guidance, Dating challenges, Existential questions, Decision making, Couples, Creativity, Emotional regulation, Habits, Imposter syndrome, Life transitions, Men's issues, Meaning and purpose, Nervous system regulation, Spirituality
Self-Development, Empowerment, Mental performance, Mindfulness, Overwhelm, Motivation, Perfectionism, Goal Setting, Stress, Burnout, Productivity, Relationships, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Negative thinking and ruminating, Career guidance, Dating challenges, Existential questions, Decision making, Couples, Creativity, Emotional regulation, Habits, Imposter syndrome, Life transitions, Men's issues, Meaning and purpose, Nervous system regulation, Spirituality
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Nunavut
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Luigi Garde
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
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Luigi Garde
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
He/Him
Offers Free Consultation
$140/session
Men's issues, Identity and Self-Exploration, Meaning and purpose, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, BIPOC, Caregiver burnout, Thought Restructuring, Workplace stress, Addiction, Sports Performance, Empowerment, Responsibility, Anger Management, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Attachment, Trauma, Depression, Cultural Challenges, Decision making, Goal Setting, Effective communication, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Navigating challenging relationships, Masculinity, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Grief and Loss
Men's issues, Identity and Self-Exploration, Meaning and purpose, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, BIPOC, Caregiver burnout, Thought Restructuring, Workplace stress, Addiction, Sports Performance, Empowerment, Responsibility, Anger Management, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Attachment, Trauma, Depression, Cultural Challenges, Decision making, Goal Setting, Effective communication, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Navigating challenging relationships, Masculinity, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Grief and Loss
Ontario, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, New Brunswick, Nunavut, Yukon, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan
United States of America, Asia, Central & South America, Europe
Virtual Sessions in ON, YT, MB, NU, SK, BC, NL, and NT.
Waitlist
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Lauren McCarley
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her/Hers
Offers Free Consultation
$160/session
Anxiety, OCD, Self-esteem, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Imposter syndrome, Depression coping skills, Stress, Negative thinking and ruminating, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Perfectionism, Relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, People pleasing, Life transitions, Fears and phobia, Health anxiety, Panic attacks, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Decision making, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety, OCD, Self-esteem, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Burnout, Imposter syndrome, Depression coping skills, Stress, Negative thinking and ruminating, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Perfectionism, Relationships, Navigating challenging relationships, People pleasing, Life transitions, Fears and phobia, Health anxiety, Panic attacks, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Decision making, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Ontario, Yukon, Manitoba, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories
Ontario
Yukon
Manitoba
Nunavut
Saskatchewan
British Columbia
Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
Margarita Iarovaia
Registered Psychotherapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Hamilton, ON)
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
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Margarita Iarovaia
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her/Hers
Offers Free Consultation
$150/session
Trauma, Sexuality, Relationships, Sex therapy, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Dating challenges, Relationship anxiety, Sexual issues, Trauma processing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Mindfulness, Identity and Self-Exploration
Trauma, Sexuality, Relationships, Sex therapy, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Dating challenges, Relationship anxiety, Sexual issues, Trauma processing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Mindfulness, Identity and Self-Exploration
Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Nunavut, Northwest Territories
Manitoba
Ontario
New Brunswick
Yukon
British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Quebec
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia
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We don't have therapists specializing in this modality yet in your province, but we're always adding new providers. Try using our search page to explore more focus areas and find online therapists who may be a great fit.
Compassion-Focused Therapy is an approach designed to help people who experience high levels of self-criticism and shame. Developed by Dr. Paul Gilbert, CFT draws on evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, and Buddhist practices to help you understand why your brain creates difficult emotions and how to activate your soothing system through compassion-based practices.
How can CFT help?
Many people find CFT helpful for reducing harsh self-criticism, managing shame, and developing a kinder relationship with themselves. It can support you in understanding the roots of your self-critical patterns, learning to soothe yourself during difficult moments, and building emotional resilience. CFT is particularly useful for those whose inner critic feels powerful and persistent.
What happens in a CFT session?
In CFT sessions, your therapist may help you understand the three emotion regulation systems (threat, drive, and soothing) and how they operate in your life. You'll learn compassionate mind training exercises, work on developing a compassionate self, and practice responding to yourself with warmth rather than criticism. Sessions often include imagery exercises and mindfulness practices.
How do I find a CFT therapist?
On First Session, you can filter by specialty to find therapists who offer Compassion-Focused Therapy. Each therapist has a profile with an intro video so you can get a sense of their warmth. You can book a session directly online or request a free consultation first. All therapists on the platform have their credentials verified during onboarding.
Is CFT right for me?
CFT may be a good fit if you struggle with self-criticism, shame, or a harsh inner voice that's hard to quiet. It's helpful if you understand intellectually that you should be kinder to yourself but find it emotionally difficult. Consider booking a consultation with a therapist to discuss whether this compassion-based approach suits your needs.
How do I get started?
Getting started is simple. Browse CFT therapists on First Session and watch their intro videos to find someone whose warmth resonates with you. Once you've found a match, you can book your first session directly online. Many therapists offer a free 15-minute consultation if you'd like to connect first. Learn more about how to find a therapist in Canada.