Find a CFT Therapist

Browse therapists who specialize in Compassion-Focused Therapy. Watch their intro videos to find the right fit before booking.

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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.

Sofia Diaz

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Ottawa, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, AB, MB, and SK.
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Sofia Diaz

Sofia Diaz

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
$150/session
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
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Mike Stroh

Registered Psychotherapist
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Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
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Mike Stroh

Mike Stroh

Registered Psychotherapist
$185/session
Addiction, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Meaning and purpose, Relationships, Neurodiversity
Addiction, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Meaning and purpose, Relationships, Neurodiversity
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Lydia Azaribe

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
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Offers In-Person (Edmonton, AB)
Virtual Sessions in MB, NT, AB, NU, YT, NL, BC, SK, and ON.
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Lydia Azaribe

Lydia Azaribe

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/her
$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
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Lauren McCarley

Registered Psychotherapist
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Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON, YT, MB, NU, SK, BC, NL, and NT.
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Lauren McCarley

Lauren McCarley

Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her/Hers
$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
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Samudyatha Hiremagalore

Registered Clinical Counsellor
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Offers In-Person (Surrey, BC)
Virtual Sessions in AB, BC, NB, and ON.
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Samudyatha Hiremagalore

Samudyatha Hiremagalore

Registered Clinical Counsellor
She/Her/Hers
$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
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Sonya Salonen Cornies

Registered Psychotherapist
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Offers In-Person (Kingsville, ON)
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
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Sonya Salonen Cornies

Sonya Salonen Cornies

Registered Psychotherapist
$160/session
Building Meaningful Connections, Boundaries and boundary setting, Caregiver burnout, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Depression coping skills, Maternal mental health, Prenatal care, Perinatal, Pregnancy, Postnatal Care, Relationships, Conflict resolution, Familial and social relationships, Parenting, Family Conflict, Emotional regulation, Effective communication, Thought Restructuring, Interpersonal dynamics, Goal Setting, Highly Sensitive Person, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness Practices, Overwhelm, Personal Growth
Building Meaningful Connections, Boundaries and boundary setting, Caregiver burnout, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Depression coping skills, Maternal mental health, Prenatal care, Perinatal, Pregnancy, Postnatal Care, Relationships, Conflict resolution, Familial and social relationships, Parenting, Family Conflict, Emotional regulation, Effective communication, Thought Restructuring, Interpersonal dynamics, Goal Setting, Highly Sensitive Person, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness Practices, Overwhelm, Personal Growth
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Michèle Dawn

Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
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Offers In-Person (Edmonton, AB)
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
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Michèle Dawn

Michèle Dawn

Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
She/Her
$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
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Shane Pokroy

Registered Psychotherapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
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Shane Pokroy

Shane Pokroy

Registered Psychotherapist
$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
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Sieran Yung

Registered Psychotherapist
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Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
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Sieran Yung

Sieran Yung

Registered Psychotherapist
He/him
$150/session
Sexuality and gender issues, LGBTQ2IA+, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Neurodiversity, Relationships, Cultural Challenges, Career guidance, School challenges, Motivation, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Overwhelm, Depression, Anxiety, BIPOC
Sexuality and gender issues, LGBTQ2IA+, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Neurodiversity, Relationships, Cultural Challenges, Career guidance, School challenges, Motivation, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Overwhelm, Depression, Anxiety, BIPOC
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Atheesan Mahendrarajah

Registered Psychotherapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON, BC, AB, SK, MB, NS, NT, YT, and NU.
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Atheesan Mahendrarajah

Atheesan Mahendrarajah

Registered Psychotherapist
He/Him
$185/session
Addiction, Cultural Challenges, Productivity, ADHD, Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Empowerment, Family Conflict, Masculinity, Pain management, Relationships, School challenges, Self-Development, Self-Regulation, Stress, Workplace stress, BIPOC
Addiction, Cultural Challenges, Productivity, ADHD, Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Empowerment, Family Conflict, Masculinity, Pain management, Relationships, School challenges, Self-Development, Self-Regulation, Stress, Workplace stress, BIPOC
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Karla Rivera

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Waterloo, ON)
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
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Karla Rivera

Karla Rivera

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her/Hers
$145/session
Nervous system regulation, Parenting, Spirituality, Self-esteem, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Intergenerational trauma, Mind-body connection, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Wellness Counselling, Mindfulness
Nervous system regulation, Parenting, Spirituality, Self-esteem, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Intergenerational trauma, Mind-body connection, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Wellness Counselling, Mindfulness
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Luigi Garde

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
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Luigi Garde

Luigi Garde

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
He/Him
$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
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About First Session
What is Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)?

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.