Mindfulness and Compassion Focused Therapy: Navigating Stress During Life Transitions in Toronto, ON
We’ve all heard the advice before: “You should go easy on yourself”. But for many people, going “easy” on themselves doesn’t actually come easy, or at the very least, it feels very unnatural.
If this sounds like you, you probably have a robust inner critic who’s skilled in pointing out your perceived flaws, shaming you for making any kind of mistake, and often minimizing your accomplishments. In fact, this inner critic may be so strong that it feels pretty normal to you, which makes it hard to notice when it’s happening.
The inner critic can be its loudest during our most stressful experiences, like major life transitions. Join me as we explore how mindfulness and self-compassion therapy in Toronto, ON can help manage the stress of life transitions.
What is Compassion-Focused Therapy in Toronto, ON?
Compassion-focused therapy is a therapeutic approach created by psychologist, Paul Gilbert. CFT combines aspects of evolutional psychology, cognitive behavioural therapy, and mindfulness. This approach focuses on fostering compassion towards oneself and others to improve emotional regulation and develop a strong relationship with self. In addition, CFT helps you understand and alleviate suffering, and manage self-critical thoughts.
Why is Mindfulness Important for Building Self-Compassion?
When we are struggling, it’s so important for us to actively recognize the emotional pain we are experiencing. According to influential psychologists and researchers in the field of compassion, mindfulness about our emotional experience is the foundation for building self-compassion (Neff & Germer, 2018).
Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer discuss how being mindful may seem like a simple skill. However, it can actually be quite difficult to maintain because of the way our brains have evolved. Our brain is programmed to switch into a “default mode” when there’s nothing particularly exciting happening. The default mode is the brain’s opportunity to assess potential problems that need solving.
“When we are operating in default mode, we are often struggling, but we don’t have the presence of mind to know we are struggling. When we are mindful, we become aware of our internal narrative and don’t get so lost in it.” (Neff & Germer, 2018).
Why We Need Mindfulness and Self-compassion During Life Transitions
Major life transitions can be some of the most stressful and significant experiences we have as humans. You may find yourself transitioning out of school into the workforce or moving to a new home. Maybe you’re going through a breakup, or even facing the immeasurable grief of losing a loved one. There are plenty of positive and negative aspects to big life changes. However, we are ultimately leaving behind the familiar where our brains prefer to stay. This shift from the familiar, then, can leave us anxious, unstable and sometimes feeling like we’re in “crisis mode”.
Signs That You Might be Struggling with a Major Life Transition:
Difficulty Coping. You are struggling to cope with the difficult emotions associated with the transition and find yourself avoiding them at all costs. This could include anxiety, sadness, or uncertainty.
Physical Symptoms of Stress. Experiencing physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, digestive issues, or changes in appetite.
Lack of Motivation. Feeling unmotivated to complete tasks or lacking interest in activities that normally bring you joy or fulfillment.
Isolation. Finding yourself withdrawing from social connections or feeling a sense of isolation during the transition.
Negative Thought Patterns. Noticing negative inner monologue about yourself or the transition.
Procrastination. Having difficulty making important decisions or taking action on tasks.
The Struggle is Real: How Accepting Our Struggle Can Help Alleviate It
A core principle of Compassion Focused Therapy is accepting that suffering is part of the human experience. Referring back to Neff & Germer’s The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook, they explain that pain and hardship are inevitable parts of our lives, and resistance to this suffering only amplifies our pain. Rather than denying the pain, they suggest employing both mindfulness and self-compassion to our suffering:
“We can’t just throw self-compassion at ourselves as a way to make the pain go away. If we do, we’re engaging in a hidden form of resistance that will ultimately just make things worse. However, if we can fully accept that things are painful, and be kind to ourselves because they are painful, we can be with the pain with greater ease.”
Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Self-Compassion Journey?
Building self-compassion is a nuanced and personal experience. Working with a CFT therapist can provide you with the guidance and understanding you need to begin a more mindful approach to your struggles. A CFT Therapist in Toronto, ON can also help you manage major life transitions. MK Counselling encourages you to take the first step and set up an initial consultation to see if CFT is right for you.
Begin Compassion Focused Therapy in Toronto, ON Today!
Delve deep into the synergy between Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and mindfulness practices. Discover a wealth of expert insights, practical guidance, and actionable tips from a CFT therapist. Follow these few steps to get started:
Explore more mindfulness tips for easier life transitions.
Other Services I Offer As a CFT Therapist in Toronto, ON
I offer customized services at Michelle Kent Counselling and Psychotherapy to meet your unique needs. I offer young caregiver therapy, stress and burnout therapy, grief counselling, and more.
