Lessons on compassion focused therapy in groups | Clodagh Dowling

[This episode with Dr Clodagh Dowling is from a YouTube episode aired on 7 March 2021. It is released here as a podcast to compliment the episode with her released last Friday (7 March 2025).]"All things start with small steps, and that's a learning in compassion; great things come with small steps."Dr Clodagh Dowling is a practicing Clinical Psychologist and Director of Psychology at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services. She has learned a great deal from former and current colleagues who introduced CFT to St Patrick’s Mental Health Services where a vibrant array of CFT programmes are now delivered.In 2014 the Psychology Department introduced a general CFT programme delivered to service users with mental health difficulties. This programme is now in its 30th cycle. Specialist CFT programmes for psychosis, eating disorders and complex trauma were also developed. Clodagh’s clinical work and research are with these latter two programmes. She regularly trains other professionals. She is a committee member of the Irish Branch of the Compassionate Mind Foundation.Time Stamps:3.17 Tell us a bit about yourself, your work, your life.12.24 What is some of the history of St Patrick's Mental Health Service?15.34 Tell us about your early exposure to compassion focused therapy.17.53 How do you balance the three flows of compassion as a therapist? 23.23 What are some of your insights from running CFT groups with people suffering from eating disorders?30.48 What sort of work do you do with multiple selves?34.44 What has been your experience with the CFT groups for trauma?43.13 Working with self-criticism and shame in CFT groups.45.42 Enhancing engagement with CFT groups. 48.11 What are three tips you would offer others who are making their way on their own compassionate journey? 50.43 How can people find you and engage with you and your work?Websites: St Patrick’s Mental Health Services - www.stpatricks.ieWalk in My Shoes - www.walkinmyshoes.ieCompassionate Mind Ireland - https://irishcentreforcompassionfocusedtherapy.com/compassionate-mind-irelandSocial Media:Twitter - @stpatricks