Compassion: Conceptualisations, Research and Use in Psychotherapy

Chapter 1: Introduction and outline (Paul Gilbert): Provides an overview of the psychology of compassion, explores the integration of Eastern Buddhist philosophy with Western science, and outlines the two-part structure of the book. Chapter 2: Compassion and cruelty: A biopsychosocial approach (Paul Gilbert): Analyzes compassion in contrast to cruelty from evolutionary, biological, and social-ecological perspectives, examining threat-defense and safety systems within the mind. Chapter 3: A conceptual framework for integrating research related to the physiology of compassion and the wisdom of Buddhist teachings (Sheila Wang): Establishes a model linking Buddhist views of the mind with neuroscience, emphasizing interdependence and multi-level physiological regulation. Chapter 4: An attachment-theoretical approach to compassion and altruism (Omri Gillath, Phillip R. Shaver and Mario Mikulincer): Evaluates research data on how early attachment relationships create the developmental context for compassion and altruistic behavior in later life. Chapter 5: The psychology of compassion and prosocial behaviour (Hans-Werner Bierhoff): Examines the connections between helping behavior, prosocial behavior, and altruism through the principles of conditioning, observational learning, and personality. Chapter 6: Compassion and forgiveness: Implications for psychotherapy (Everett L. Worthington, Jr, Lynn E. O'Connor, Jack W. Berry, Connie Sharp, Rebecca Murray and Eunice Yi): Explores the reciprocal relationship between compassion, forgiveness, guilt, and their roles in healing interpersonal relationships. Chapter 7: A social-cognitive model of validation (Robert L. Leahy): Presents a social-cognitive model of emotional validation in psychotherapy, particularly for patients who lacked parental validation during childhood. Chapter 8: The Buddhist use of compassionate imagery in mind healing (Ringu Tulku Rinpoche and Kenneth Mullen): Offers insights into using the visualization of compassionate archetypes (Buddhist deities) to heal the mind and internalize positive qualities. Chapter 9: Mindfulness, compassion for self, and compassion for others: Implications for understanding the psychopathology and treatment of depression (Nicholas B. Allen and Wendy E.J. Knight): Discusses the application of mindfulness and compassion training in clinical treatment and relapse prevention for depressed patients. Chapter 10: Focused therapies and compassionate mind training for shame and self-attacking (Paul Gilbert and Chris Irons): Analyzes the mechanisms of self-criticism and self-attack, and describes Compassionate Mind Training (CMT) techniques to foster self-acceptance. Chapter 11: The perfect nurturer: A model to develop a compassionate mind within the context of cognitive therapy (Deborah A. Lee): Illustrates the use of the "perfect nurturer" imagery in cognitive therapy for patients suffering from severe trauma or PTSD. Chapter 12: Compassionate imagery in the treatment of early memories in Axis I anxiety disorders (Ann Hackmann): Uses clinical case studies to outline methods of working with compassionate imagery to restructure early memories in patients with anxiety disorders. Chapter 13: The expression of compassion in group cognitive therapy (Tony Bates): Analyzes the processes and healing potential of compassion as it is expressed among members within a group cognitive therapy context.