Self-Compassion Centered Therapy

You’ve been taught to beat yourself up.

The constant criticism you encountered in your early and most formative years has seeped in, and by now, you’re an ‘A’ student.

You know the script perfectly and can cut yourself deeply without help from anyone else.

Compassion is for other people; feeling for yourself doesn’t seem possible. To you, self-compassion seems like self-indulgence.

“Stop whining. You’re to blame. You’re not good enough.” You took these messages to heart.

But this is unsustainable.

Self-criticism is shame’s most significant symptom. Shame freezes us – we can’t believe we deserve better if we feel worthless. Shame keeps us from growing and changing.

There is a better way available.

When we show kindness and compassion to ourselves, self-criticism no longer keeps us from taking risks and growing.

Just as criticism taught you self-criticism, exercising compassion for others will allow you to do so for yourself. Taking this action is where self-compassion centered therapy can help.

We will work on both sides of this coin, starting with what is available and building from there.

Retraining is necessary.

We don’t work the muscle of compassion to feel better or “let ourselves off the hook.” It’s what actually works to achieve the performance we’ve mistakenly tried to whip ourselves into. 

Win or lose, we need to know we will receive compassion. That encouraging self we see at the finish line gives us the strength to take risks. On the other hand, if we see cruelty in that self at the finish line, we don’t have the fuel to get out of the starting blocks.

I will work with you with custom tailored self-compassionate self-talk to move you out of shame and into growth. This work doesn’t just “make you feel better.” However, that’s no small thing! It enables the high performance you’ve wanted for so long.

Gaining self-compassion is a challenge worth engaging.

When I first read Kristin Neff’s Self-Compassion, I literally threw the book across the room after reading Chapter 1. When asked to hug myself, I reacted with disgust and superiority. 

But in re-engaging with my curiosity, I couldn’t shake the suspicion that this medicine was so bitter because I so needed it.

Gaining self-compassion is hard work but good work. Let’s work together to get you the care you need from the most important personality in your life: you.

Call now to begin the work.