Overview

This two day workshop is designed as an introduction for therapists who have an interest in learning about compassion focused therapy (CFT). In particular, the workshop will cover the core evolutionary model underpinning CFT, the way in which old motivation and emotional systems interact with newly evolved cognitive competencies and intelligences, causing difficulty and complexity in the mind, and the role of the affiliative/soothing system in threat regulation. From this standpoint, the workshop will guide participants towards a discovery of the multicomponent dimensions of compassion.

Participants will also hear about a range of CFT strategies that work to engage people’s soothing and threat-regulation systems, including body and breath focusing, imagery and meditative practices, writing and behavioural work. Central to this approach is the role of compassion and the development and activation of the "compassionate self”, and participants will learn how to incorporate these practices into their work to help clients engage with, soften and contain threat-based emotions, such as fear and anxiety, anger, sadness, self-criticism and shame.

Event Dates and Time:

• Thursday, 5th Nov 2026 - 09:00AM- 4:00PM AEDT NSW Time
• Friday, 6th Nov 2026 - 09:00AM- 4:00PM AEDT NSW Time

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Confidently describe the recent advances in the science of compassion, including a discussion of the evolutionary basis of compassion, the biological and neurological findings associated with compassion, and the hypothesised psychological benefits of compassion and self-compassion.
• Summarise the recent results of outcome research associated with compassion and self compassion cultivation programs, especially compassion focused therapy, including their use and effectiveness with certain clinical populations.
• Demonstrate a depth of understanding of the evolutionary approach to emotion, behaviour and motivations in particular, and how that is presented from a compassion focused therapy perspective
• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of attachment in emotion regulation and the development of the compassionate self Identify the link between compassion and care-giving and receiving motivational systems
• Identify the “two psychologies” of compassion and its constituent elements or attributes
• Describe the range of skills that might be drawn upon in CFT in order to cultivate these attributes of a compassionate person
• Demonstrate and utilise practices that cultivate compassion and build a sense of the compassionate self

Presenter(s)

Dr. Stan Steindl

About the presenter(s)

Dr. Stan Steindl is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice at Psychology Consultants Pty Ltd, and an Adjunct Professor at School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. He is also co-director of the UQ Compassionate Mind Research Group. Stan has over 20 years of experience as a therapist, supervisor, trainer and researcher, and works with clients from motivational interviewing and compassion focused therapy perspectives. His PhD examined combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder and comorbid alcohol dependency, and he continues to work clinically in the areas of trauma and addiction, as well as having a general clinical practice. Stan’s research interests are in the areas of motivation, behaviour change, compassion and compassion-based interventions, and especially the role of cultivating compassion and self-compassion in the context of trauma, shame, self-criticism and clinical disorders, as well as promoting psychological well-being. He is the author of three books and several book chapters and research publications. His books include Compassion in a T-Shirt: The First 35 Scripts (2020), The Gifts of Compassion: How to Understand and Overcome Suffering (2020), The Gifts of Compassion: Personal Practice Workbook (2021), and Compassion in a T-Shirt: Another 35 Scripts! (2023).

Notes

Registration includes workshop resources, morning and afternoon tea, and lunch. This event is open to APS Members, APS Student Members and Non-APS Members. Attendees can choose to participate either in person in Port Macquarie or online, making it accessible wherever you're located.

Target Audience

This activity is aimed at  clinicians wishing to build knowledge and practice in Compassion Focused Therapy.

Please note:

• This is a Member Groups event. All communication will be sent to the registrants’ registered email address. This includes event reminders with details (such as the venue details and zoom link) and any pre-event or post-event resources, if provided by the facilitators.
• A post-event email will be sent within two weeks of the event’s completion to each registrant’s registered email address. This email will include the CPD certificate, and any additional resources shared during the session.

Duration of Access

This event will not be recorded.

CPD

It is up to attendees to assess and determine how learning from this event aligns with the requirements of their learning plan. The providers accordingly do not make any representation that the event counts towards attendees’ CPD learning requirements. If an attendee determines themselves that the learning they complete aligns to their learning plan, then they can decide to count those hours towards their CPD requirements for the registration cycle.

The information in this presentation has been prepared in good faith and for educational purposes only. Therefore, the information is general in nature and should not be relied upon in the treatment of any condition and you should seek your own independent professional and/or legal advice concerning any specific issue. The APS accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions or decisions relating to the information. The content should not be reproduced without permission or unless permitted by law.

If you are experiencing registration difficulties please contact APS Events Support.