About Compassionate Inquiry

Compassionate Inquiry is a psychotherapeutic approach created by Dr. Gabor Maté, a renowned physician and author known for his work on trauma, addiction, and the mind-body connection. The approach focuses on gently uncovering the unconscious beliefs, bodily sensations, and suppressed emotions that may underlie patterns of behaviour, emotional distress, or physical symptoms.

Rather than focusing solely on symptoms or behaviours, Compassionate Inquiry seeks to understand the deeper questions: What happened to you? What did you have to believe about yourself to survive? The therapeutic process combines elements of mindfulness, somatic awareness, and psychodynamic exploration within a compassionate, non-judgmental relationship. Sessions often involve noticing bodily sensations, exploring emotions as they arise, and gently questioning the origins of core beliefs about oneself and the world.

Compassionate Inquiry may support people in developing greater self-awareness and understanding of patterns that feel difficult to change. By exploring the roots of emotional responses, people often gain insight into why certain situations trigger strong reactions and may develop more compassion for themselves in the process.

This approach can support those working through trauma, grief, addiction recovery, chronic stress, anxiety, and relationship challenges. Many people find that understanding the origins of their protective patterns allows for gradual, authentic change. The emphasis on body awareness may also help people become more attuned to physical sensations and the messages they carry. Research into trauma-informed and somatic approaches continues to grow, supporting the value of integrating mind and body in therapeutic work.

Compassionate Inquiry may resonate with people who sense that their current challenges have deeper roots—those who feel they've tried to change patterns but find themselves returning to familiar struggles. It can be particularly meaningful for individuals exploring the impact of early life experiences, family dynamics, or trauma on their present-day wellbeing.

This approach often appeals to those interested in understanding the connection between emotional experiences and physical sensations, as well as people drawn to a therapeutic style that emphasizes curiosity, gentleness, and self-compassion rather than directive techniques. Whether you're navigating addiction recovery, processing grief, managing anxiety, or simply seeking deeper self-understanding, Compassionate Inquiry offers a framework for exploration that many find transformative.

Compassionate Inquiry is a specialized approach, and First Session's growing network of therapists includes practitioners trained in this modality. As awareness of this approach continues to expand, more therapists are incorporating its principles into their practice. You can explore our directory to see which therapists offer Compassionate Inquiry or integrate its techniques.

If you don't immediately find a Compassionate Inquiry specialist in your area, consider that many related approaches share similar foundations. Somatic therapy, trauma-informed counselling, and psychodynamic therapy often work with similar principles of exploring underlying patterns and incorporating body awareness. Starting with a therapist trained in these related modalities can be a meaningful path while the network of Compassionate Inquiry practitioners continues to grow. Learn more about therapy costs to help plan your search.

Several therapeutic approaches share common ground with Compassionate Inquiry and may offer similar benefits. Somatic therapy focuses on the body's role in storing and processing emotions, using body awareness techniques that complement the somatic elements of Compassionate Inquiry. Trauma-informed counselling approaches, including EMDR and Somatic Experiencing, also work with the understanding that past experiences shape present patterns.

Psychodynamic therapy explores how unconscious processes and early relationships influence current behaviour and emotions—a foundation shared with Compassionate Inquiry. Internal Family Systems (IFS) offers another framework for understanding different parts of ourselves with curiosity and compassion. Many therapists integrate elements from multiple modalities, so discussing your interests with a potential therapist can help you find an approach that feels right for you.

First Session makes it easier to find a therapist who fits your needs and preferences. Every therapist on our platform has intro videos so you can get a sense of their style and personality before reaching out—an important factor when seeking a deeply relational approach like Compassionate Inquiry. Credentials are verified during onboarding, and you can filter by modality, location, and other preferences.

Our directory includes therapists across Canada offering both online and in-person sessions, with therapists setting their own rates to provide a range of options. Whether you find a Compassionate Inquiry specialist or decide to explore related approaches, First Session can help you take that first step toward finding support that feels right for you.