Charlie Heriot-Maitland

Promoting mental health and compassion through therapy, research, training, creative work, and writing

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  • ABOUT
  • HOME
  • ACADEMIC
    • Publications
    • Research projects
    • Academic journal
  • TRAINING
    • Organisations I’ve worked with
    • Courses & workshops
    • Upcoming events
  • CONSULTING
    • Coaching & supervision
    • Group & team consultancy
    • Therapy
  • BOOKS
    • Controlled Explosions in Mental Health
    • Relating to Voices Using CFT
  • STUDIO
    • Doodles
    • Videos
    • Audio library
    • Activities & materials
    • Online courses
    • Stories
  • ABOUT

Upcoming CFT for Psychosis training

on 21/11/2025 in NEWS & UPDATES, TRAINING

Upcoming CFT for Psychosis training dates:

πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ 4-5th December 2025

  • 09.30-16.30 (GMT)
  • 2-day workshop (online)
  • Compassionate Mind Foundation

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ 25th March 2026

  • 09.00-13.00 (PST)
  • Β½-day workshop (online)
  • Stanford INSPIRE Training

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ 29th April – 7th May 2026

  • 09.00-13.00 (PST)
  • 4 x Β½-day workshops (online)
  • Stanford INSPIRE Training
See upcoming events page
  • A reminder that sometimes it’s better to act deliberately than to let fear decide for us.
    1 month ago
  • The protective functions of self-criticism explored in a collage of doodles... IMPROVER - to create a self-improvement response BLAMER - to create a feeling of agency and control DISCHARGER - to discharge and complete a fight/flight response SUBMITTER - to create a submissive response DISSOCIATOR - to create a dissociative response
    1 month ago
  • The audiobook of β€˜Controlled Explosions in Mental Health’ is out today. Dora and I have listened to many audiobooks on our morning runs - this is the first one by me. If you’d like to listen, you can find it via the link in my bio. #controlledexplosions
    1 month ago
  • Upcoming Compassion Focused Therapy training dates: 18–19 March 2026 09:30–16:30 (GMT) 2-day online workshop Introduction to CFT Balanced Minds 25 March 2026 09:00–13:00 (PST) Β½-day online workshop Foundations of CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 29 April – 7 May 2026 09:00–13:00 (PST) 4 Γ— Β½-day online workshops Clinical Skills in CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 17–23 June 2026 09:30–16:30 (GMT) 5-day online workshop CMT Train the Trainer Balanced Minds @drchrisirons @charlieheriotmaitland @balancedminds @stanford.inspire.training
    2 months ago
  • 𝟭𝟬. π——π—œπ—¦π—¦π—’π—–π—œπ—”π—§π—’π—₯ π—’π—•π—π—˜π—–π—§π—œπ—©π—˜: to create a dissociative response This is the most forceful member of the Self-Criticism Unit. When certain feelings, needs, or memories feel too dangerous, this part shuts them down. It disconnects awareness to keep us alive. 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 π—”π—©π—˜π—₯π—§π—˜π——: overwhelming pain, re-traumatisation, or threat. 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 𝗖π—₯π—˜π—”π—§π—˜π——: numbness, fragmentation, loss of access to needs. #controlledexplosions
    2 months ago
  • 𝟡. π—¦π—¨π—•π— π—œπ—§π—§π—˜π—₯ π—’π—•π—π—˜π—–π—§π—œπ—©π—˜: to create a submissive response This member of the Self-Criticism Unit creates feelings of inferiority, defeat, or compliance. It helps us yield before we’re hurt - especially when others feel more powerful. Submission can reduce conflict and danger, but at a cost to mental health. 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 π—”π—©π—˜π—₯π—§π—˜π——: confrontation, retaliation, humiliation, or harm. 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 𝗖π—₯π—˜π—”π—§π—˜π——: loss of confidence, agency, and voice.β€Œ
    2 months ago
  • 𝟴. π——π—œπ—¦π—–π—›π—”π—₯π—šπ—˜π—₯ π—’π—•π—π—˜π—–π—§π—œπ—©π—˜: to discharge and complete a fight/flight response This critic switches on intense self-attack to activate threat emotions - anger, fear, disgust. Why? Because some threat responses were never completed. The body is trying to finish what it once couldn’t. 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 π—”π—©π—˜π—₯π—§π—˜π——: undischarged threat energy that stays trapped in the body. 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 𝗖π—₯π—˜π—”π—§π—˜π——: harsh self-attack and emotional pain.
    2 months ago
  • 𝟳. π—•π—Ÿπ—”π— π—˜π—₯ π—’π—•π—π—˜π—–π—§π—œπ—©π—˜: to create a feeling of agency and control This member takes responsibility for everything that goes wrong - even when it isn’t our fault. Self-blame can feel painful, but it also creates a sense of agency: If it’s my fault, maybe I can fix it. 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 π—”π—©π—˜π—₯π—§π—˜π——: helplessness, powerlessness, and uncontrollable loss. 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 𝗖π—₯π—˜π—”π—§π—˜π——: shame, self-attack, diminished self-worth.β€Œ
    2 months ago
  • 𝟲. π—œπ— π—£π—₯π—’π—©π—˜π—₯ (the first member of the bomb squad's Self-Criticism Unit) π—’π—•π—π—˜π—–π—§π—œπ—©π—˜: to create a self-improvement response This is the self-critic that pushes us to do better, fix ourselves, and improve. On the surface, it can sound motivating - even helpful. Underneath, it’s often driven by fear: What if I don’t improve and something bad happens? 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 π—”π—©π—˜π—₯π—§π—˜π——: being seen as flawed, rejected, or inadequate. 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 𝗖π—₯π—˜π—”π—§π—˜π——: relentless self-criticism, shame, pressure.
    2 months ago
  • A doodle exploring self-criticism - one of the protective patterns we touched on in the book launch webinar. #controlledexplosions
    2 months ago
A reminder that sometimes it’s better to act deliberately than to let fear decide for us.
@charlieheriotmaitland
@charlieheriotmaitland
•
Follow
A reminder that sometimes it’s better to act deliberately than to let fear decide for us.
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
1/10
The protective functions of self-criticism explored in a collage of doodles... IMPROVER - to create a self-improvement response BLAMER - to create a feeling of agency and control DISCHARGER - to discharge and complete a fight/flight response SUBMITTER - to create a submissive response DISSOCIATOR - to create a dissociative response
The protective functions of self-criticism explored in a collage of doodles... IMPROVER - to create a self-improvement response BLAMER - to create a feeling of agency and control DISCHARGER - to discharge and complete a fight/flight response SUBMITTER - to create a submissive response DISSOCIATOR - to create a dissociative response
The protective functions of self-criticism explored in a collage of doodles... IMPROVER - to create a self-improvement response BLAMER - to create a feeling of agency and control DISCHARGER - to discharge and complete a fight/flight response SUBMITTER - to create a submissive response DISSOCIATOR - to create a dissociative response
The protective functions of self-criticism explored in a collage of doodles... IMPROVER - to create a self-improvement response BLAMER - to create a feeling of agency and control DISCHARGER - to discharge and complete a fight/flight response SUBMITTER - to create a submissive response DISSOCIATOR - to create a dissociative response
The protective functions of self-criticism explored in a collage of doodles... IMPROVER - to create a self-improvement response BLAMER - to create a feeling of agency and control DISCHARGER - to discharge and complete a fight/flight response SUBMITTER - to create a submissive response DISSOCIATOR - to create a dissociative response
@charlieheriotmaitland
@charlieheriotmaitland
•
Follow
The protective functions of self-criticism explored in a collage of doodles... IMPROVER - to create a self-improvement response BLAMER - to create a feeling of agency and control DISCHARGER - to discharge and complete a fight/flight response SUBMITTER - to create a submissive response DISSOCIATOR - to create a dissociative response
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
2/10
@charlieheriotmaitland
@charlieheriotmaitland
•
Follow
The audiobook of β€˜Controlled Explosions in Mental Health’ is out today. Dora and I have listened to many audiobooks on our morning runs - this is the first one by me. If you’d like to listen, you can find it via the link in my bio. #controlledexplosions
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
3/10
Upcoming Compassion Focused Therapy training dates: 18–19 March 2026 09:30–16:30 (GMT) 2-day online workshop Introduction to CFT Balanced Minds 25 March 2026 09:00–13:00 (PST) Β½-day online workshop Foundations of CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 29 April – 7 May 2026 09:00–13:00 (PST) 4 Γ— Β½-day online workshops Clinical Skills in CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 17–23 June 2026 09:30–16:30 (GMT) 5-day online workshop CMT Train the Trainer Balanced Minds @drchrisirons @charlieheriotmaitland @balancedminds @stanford.inspire.training
Upcoming Compassion Focused Therapy training dates: 18–19 March 2026 09:30–16:30 (GMT) 2-day online workshop Introduction to CFT Balanced Minds 25 March 2026 09:00–13:00 (PST) Β½-day online workshop Foundations of CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 29 April – 7 May 2026 09:00–13:00 (PST) 4 Γ— Β½-day online workshops Clinical Skills in CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 17–23 June 2026 09:30–16:30 (GMT) 5-day online workshop CMT Train the Trainer Balanced Minds @drchrisirons @charlieheriotmaitland @balancedminds @stanford.inspire.training
Upcoming Compassion Focused Therapy training dates: 18–19 March 2026 09:30–16:30 (GMT) 2-day online workshop Introduction to CFT Balanced Minds 25 March 2026 09:00–13:00 (PST) Β½-day online workshop Foundations of CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 29 April – 7 May 2026 09:00–13:00 (PST) 4 Γ— Β½-day online workshops Clinical Skills in CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 17–23 June 2026 09:30–16:30 (GMT) 5-day online workshop CMT Train the Trainer Balanced Minds @drchrisirons @charlieheriotmaitland @balancedminds @stanford.inspire.training
Upcoming Compassion Focused Therapy training dates: 18–19 March 2026 09:30–16:30 (GMT) 2-day online workshop Introduction to CFT Balanced Minds 25 March 2026 09:00–13:00 (PST) Β½-day online workshop Foundations of CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 29 April – 7 May 2026 09:00–13:00 (PST) 4 Γ— Β½-day online workshops Clinical Skills in CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 17–23 June 2026 09:30–16:30 (GMT) 5-day online workshop CMT Train the Trainer Balanced Minds @drchrisirons @charlieheriotmaitland @balancedminds @stanford.inspire.training
@charlieheriotmaitland
@charlieheriotmaitland
•
Follow
Upcoming Compassion Focused Therapy training dates: 18–19 March 2026 09:30–16:30 (GMT) 2-day online workshop Introduction to CFT Balanced Minds 25 March 2026 09:00–13:00 (PST) Β½-day online workshop Foundations of CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 29 April – 7 May 2026 09:00–13:00 (PST) 4 Γ— Β½-day online workshops Clinical Skills in CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 17–23 June 2026 09:30–16:30 (GMT) 5-day online workshop CMT Train the Trainer Balanced Minds @drchrisirons @charlieheriotmaitland @balancedminds @stanford.inspire.training
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/10
@charlieheriotmaitland
@charlieheriotmaitland
•
Follow
𝟭𝟬. π——π—œπ—¦π—¦π—’π—–π—œπ—”π—§π—’π—₯ π—’π—•π—π—˜π—–π—§π—œπ—©π—˜: to create a dissociative response This is the most forceful member of the Self-Criticism Unit. When certain feelings, needs, or memories feel too dangerous, this part shuts them down. It disconnects awareness to keep us alive. 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 π—”π—©π—˜π—₯π—§π—˜π——: overwhelming pain, re-traumatisation, or threat. 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 𝗖π—₯π—˜π—”π—§π—˜π——: numbness, fragmentation, loss of access to needs. #controlledexplosions
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/10
@charlieheriotmaitland
@charlieheriotmaitland
•
Follow
𝟡. π—¦π—¨π—•π— π—œπ—§π—§π—˜π—₯ π—’π—•π—π—˜π—–π—§π—œπ—©π—˜: to create a submissive response This member of the Self-Criticism Unit creates feelings of inferiority, defeat, or compliance. It helps us yield before we’re hurt - especially when others feel more powerful. Submission can reduce conflict and danger, but at a cost to mental health. 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 π—”π—©π—˜π—₯π—§π—˜π——: confrontation, retaliation, humiliation, or harm. 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 𝗖π—₯π—˜π—”π—§π—˜π——: loss of confidence, agency, and voice.β€Œ
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/10
@charlieheriotmaitland
@charlieheriotmaitland
•
Follow
𝟴. π——π—œπ—¦π—–π—›π—”π—₯π—šπ—˜π—₯ π—’π—•π—π—˜π—–π—§π—œπ—©π—˜: to discharge and complete a fight/flight response This critic switches on intense self-attack to activate threat emotions - anger, fear, disgust. Why? Because some threat responses were never completed. The body is trying to finish what it once couldn’t. 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 π—”π—©π—˜π—₯π—§π—˜π——: undischarged threat energy that stays trapped in the body. 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 𝗖π—₯π—˜π—”π—§π—˜π——: harsh self-attack and emotional pain.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/10
@charlieheriotmaitland
@charlieheriotmaitland
•
Follow
𝟳. π—•π—Ÿπ—”π— π—˜π—₯ π—’π—•π—π—˜π—–π—§π—œπ—©π—˜: to create a feeling of agency and control This member takes responsibility for everything that goes wrong - even when it isn’t our fault. Self-blame can feel painful, but it also creates a sense of agency: If it’s my fault, maybe I can fix it. 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 π—”π—©π—˜π—₯π—§π—˜π——: helplessness, powerlessness, and uncontrollable loss. 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 𝗖π—₯π—˜π—”π—§π—˜π——: shame, self-attack, diminished self-worth.β€Œ
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/10
@charlieheriotmaitland
@charlieheriotmaitland
•
Follow
𝟲. π—œπ— π—£π—₯π—’π—©π—˜π—₯ (the first member of the bomb squad's Self-Criticism Unit) π—’π—•π—π—˜π—–π—§π—œπ—©π—˜: to create a self-improvement response This is the self-critic that pushes us to do better, fix ourselves, and improve. On the surface, it can sound motivating - even helpful. Underneath, it’s often driven by fear: What if I don’t improve and something bad happens? 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 π—”π—©π—˜π—₯π—§π—˜π——: being seen as flawed, rejected, or inadequate. 𝗛𝗔π—₯𝗠 𝗖π—₯π—˜π—”π—§π—˜π——: relentless self-criticism, shame, pressure.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/10
A doodle exploring self-criticism - one of the protective patterns we touched on in the book launch webinar. #controlledexplosions
@charlieheriotmaitland
@charlieheriotmaitland
•
Follow
A doodle exploring self-criticism - one of the protective patterns we touched on in the book launch webinar. #controlledexplosions
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
10/10

Grounded in compassion..., driven by curiosity..., expressed through creativity.

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Upcoming events

Apr 29
9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Clinical Skills in CFTp – Apr 2026

Jun 17
17 June @ 9:30 am - 23 June @ 5:00 pm

Compassionate Mind Training (CMT) Facilitator Training – Jun 2026

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