Compassion Focused Therapy at Combat Stress Part 2

Here at Combat Stress, we recognise that difficult life events can result in self-criticism and strong feelings of anger and shame. Shame can cut us off from the support and understanding of other people, and it can become difficult to be compassionate towards ourselves. This may be particularly hard for veterans who have experienced trauma or moral injury during their military service.

So, in collaboration with Dr Deborah Lee, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at OP COURAGE, we co-developed a Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) group specifically for veterans: Be Your Best Ally. This is a group therapy programme in which veterans learn about the three systems (the Treat System, the Drive System and the Soothing System), as well as the impact of early experiences and how our minds respond to traumatic events. Over the course of the group, veterans develop self-compassion skills and learn how to accept compassion from others. The aim of Be Your Best Ally is to help veterans understand how traumatic experiences can affect people, and to recognise and engage with their own negative emotions in a constructive way.

For some veterans, Be Your Best Ally is undertaken as a standalone treatment. Be Your Best Ally may be beneficial as a first step before beginning trauma-focused therapy (TFT) if shame or self-criticism would make it too difficult to discuss your traumatic experiences with a therapist. It may be helpful after completing TFT where shame or self-criticism still remain a significant problem. Elements of CFT can also be included in individual therapy.