Compassion-Focused Support for Staff in Early Psychosis Services-Presentation and Q&A

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Charlie Haruok Maitland presented a session on Compassion-Focused Support for Staff in Early Psychosis Services. The session focused on the application of compassion-focused therapy (CFT) for staff support in mental health services. Dr. Maitland explained the importance of compassion and its theoretical underpinnings in working with individuals experiencing distress. He highlighted the challenges of bringing CFT into practice, especially in populations that may perceive compassion and vulnerability as weakness. Dr. Maitland suggested strategies such as validating and normalizing fears of compassion and gradually introducing compassionate practices. He emphasized the need for developing a compassionate mindset without excusing or enabling negative behaviors. Dr. Maitland also discussed the role of multiple selves and the compassionate self in fostering compassion within oneself and in interactions with others. He shared various techniques including chair work, imagery, and compassionate letter writing to support the cultivation of compassion. Dr. Maitland also addressed the challenges of implementing CFT in organizational contexts and encouraged creating contexts that foster compassion, inclusive relationships, and shared purpose. He concluded by highlighting the evidence for the effectiveness of CFT and provided additional resources for further exploration. Overall, the session aimed to provide practical insights into incorporating compassion-focused support in early psychosis services.

Keywords

Compassion-Focused Support

Staff support

Early psychosis services

Compassion-focused therapy

Mental health services

Vulnerability

Negative behaviors

Multiple selves

Chair work

Imagery

Compassionate letter writing