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 Iโ€™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
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    Controlled Explosions in Mental Health
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    Relating to Voices Using CFT
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  • A reminder that sometimes itโ€™s better to act deliberately than to let fear decide for us.
    4 months 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
    5 months ago
  • The audiobook of โ€˜Controlled Explosions in Mental Healthโ€™ is out today. Dora and I have listened to many audiobooks on our morning runs - this is the first one by me. If youโ€™d like to listen, you can find it via the link in my bio. #controlledexplosions
    5 months ago
  • Upcoming Compassion Focused Therapy training dates: 18โ€“19 March 2026 09:30โ€“16:30 (GMT) 2-day online workshop Introduction to CFT Balanced Minds 25 March 2026 09:00โ€“13:00 (PST) ยฝ-day online workshop Foundations of CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 29 April โ€“ 7 May 2026 09:00โ€“13:00 (PST) 4 ร— ยฝ-day online workshops Clinical Skills in CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 17โ€“23 June 2026 09:30โ€“16:30 (GMT) 5-day online workshop CMT Train the Trainer Balanced Minds @drchrisirons @charlieheriotmaitland @balancedminds @stanford.inspire.training
    5 months ago
  • ๐Ÿญ๐Ÿฌ. ๐——๐—œ๐—ฆ๐—ฆ๐—ข๐—–๐—œ๐—”๐—ง๐—ข๐—ฅ ๐—ข๐—•๐—๐—˜๐—–๐—ง๐—œ๐—ฉ๐—˜: 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. ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—”๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฅ๐—ง๐—˜๐——: overwhelming pain, re-traumatisation, or threat. ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—–๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—”๐—ง๐—˜๐——: numbness, fragmentation, loss of access to needs. #controlledexplosions
    5 months ago
  • ๐Ÿต. ๐—ฆ๐—จ๐—•๐— ๐—œ๐—ง๐—ง๐—˜๐—ฅ ๐—ข๐—•๐—๐—˜๐—–๐—ง๐—œ๐—ฉ๐—˜: to create a submissive response This member of the Self-Criticism Unit creates feelings of inferiority, defeat, or compliance. It helps us yield before weโ€™re hurt - especially when others feel more powerful. Submission can reduce conflict and danger, but at a cost to mental health. ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—”๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฅ๐—ง๐—˜๐——: confrontation, retaliation, humiliation, or harm. ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—–๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—”๐—ง๐—˜๐——: loss of confidence, agency, and voice.โ€Œ
    5 months ago
  • ๐Ÿด. ๐——๐—œ๐—ฆ๐—–๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—š๐—˜๐—ฅ ๐—ข๐—•๐—๐—˜๐—–๐—ง๐—œ๐—ฉ๐—˜: 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 couldnโ€™t. ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—”๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฅ๐—ง๐—˜๐——: undischarged threat energy that stays trapped in the body. ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—–๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—”๐—ง๐—˜๐——: harsh self-attack and emotional pain.
    5 months ago
  • ๐Ÿณ. ๐—•๐—Ÿ๐—”๐— ๐—˜๐—ฅ ๐—ข๐—•๐—๐—˜๐—–๐—ง๐—œ๐—ฉ๐—˜: to create a feeling of agency and control This member takes responsibility for everything that goes wrong - even when it isnโ€™t our fault. Self-blame can feel painful, but it also creates a sense of agency: If itโ€™s my fault, maybe I can fix it. ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—”๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฅ๐—ง๐—˜๐——: helplessness, powerlessness, and uncontrollable loss. ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—–๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—”๐—ง๐—˜๐——: shame, self-attack, diminished self-worth.โ€Œ
    5 months ago
  • ๐Ÿฒ. ๐—œ๐— ๐—ฃ๐—ฅ๐—ข๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฅ (the first member of the bomb squad's Self-Criticism Unit) ๐—ข๐—•๐—๐—˜๐—–๐—ง๐—œ๐—ฉ๐—˜: 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, itโ€™s often driven by fear: What if I donโ€™t improve and something bad happens? ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—”๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฅ๐—ง๐—˜๐——: being seen as flawed, rejected, or inadequate. ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—–๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—”๐—ง๐—˜๐——: relentless self-criticism, shame, pressure.
    5 months ago
  • A doodle exploring self-criticism - one of the protective patterns we touched on in the book launch webinar. #controlledexplosions
    5 months ago
A reminder that sometimes itโ€™s better to act deliberately than to let fear decide for us.
@charlieheriotmaitland
@charlieheriotmaitland
•
Follow
A reminder that sometimes itโ€™s better to act deliberately than to let fear decide for us.
4 months 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
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
2/10
@charlieheriotmaitland
@charlieheriotmaitland
•
Follow
The audiobook of โ€˜Controlled Explosions in Mental Healthโ€™ is out today. Dora and I have listened to many audiobooks on our morning runs - this is the first one by me. If youโ€™d like to listen, you can find it via the link in my bio. #controlledexplosions
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
3/10
Upcoming Compassion Focused Therapy training dates: 18โ€“19 March 2026 09:30โ€“16:30 (GMT) 2-day online workshop Introduction to CFT Balanced Minds 25 March 2026 09:00โ€“13:00 (PST) ยฝ-day online workshop Foundations of CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 29 April โ€“ 7 May 2026 09:00โ€“13:00 (PST) 4 ร— ยฝ-day online workshops Clinical Skills in CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 17โ€“23 June 2026 09:30โ€“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: 18โ€“19 March 2026 09:30โ€“16:30 (GMT) 2-day online workshop Introduction to CFT Balanced Minds 25 March 2026 09:00โ€“13:00 (PST) ยฝ-day online workshop Foundations of CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 29 April โ€“ 7 May 2026 09:00โ€“13:00 (PST) 4 ร— ยฝ-day online workshops Clinical Skills in CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 17โ€“23 June 2026 09:30โ€“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: 18โ€“19 March 2026 09:30โ€“16:30 (GMT) 2-day online workshop Introduction to CFT Balanced Minds 25 March 2026 09:00โ€“13:00 (PST) ยฝ-day online workshop Foundations of CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 29 April โ€“ 7 May 2026 09:00โ€“13:00 (PST) 4 ร— ยฝ-day online workshops Clinical Skills in CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 17โ€“23 June 2026 09:30โ€“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: 18โ€“19 March 2026 09:30โ€“16:30 (GMT) 2-day online workshop Introduction to CFT Balanced Minds 25 March 2026 09:00โ€“13:00 (PST) ยฝ-day online workshop Foundations of CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 29 April โ€“ 7 May 2026 09:00โ€“13:00 (PST) 4 ร— ยฝ-day online workshops Clinical Skills in CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 17โ€“23 June 2026 09:30โ€“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: 18โ€“19 March 2026 09:30โ€“16:30 (GMT) 2-day online workshop Introduction to CFT Balanced Minds 25 March 2026 09:00โ€“13:00 (PST) ยฝ-day online workshop Foundations of CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 29 April โ€“ 7 May 2026 09:00โ€“13:00 (PST) 4 ร— ยฝ-day online workshops Clinical Skills in CFT for Psychosis Stanford INSPIRE Training 17โ€“23 June 2026 09:30โ€“16:30 (GMT) 5-day online workshop CMT Train the Trainer Balanced Minds @drchrisirons @charlieheriotmaitland @balancedminds @stanford.inspire.training
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/10
@charlieheriotmaitland
@charlieheriotmaitland
•
Follow
๐Ÿญ๐Ÿฌ. ๐——๐—œ๐—ฆ๐—ฆ๐—ข๐—–๐—œ๐—”๐—ง๐—ข๐—ฅ ๐—ข๐—•๐—๐—˜๐—–๐—ง๐—œ๐—ฉ๐—˜: 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. ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—”๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฅ๐—ง๐—˜๐——: overwhelming pain, re-traumatisation, or threat. ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—–๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—”๐—ง๐—˜๐——: numbness, fragmentation, loss of access to needs. #controlledexplosions
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/10
@charlieheriotmaitland
@charlieheriotmaitland
•
Follow
๐Ÿต. ๐—ฆ๐—จ๐—•๐— ๐—œ๐—ง๐—ง๐—˜๐—ฅ ๐—ข๐—•๐—๐—˜๐—–๐—ง๐—œ๐—ฉ๐—˜: to create a submissive response This member of the Self-Criticism Unit creates feelings of inferiority, defeat, or compliance. It helps us yield before weโ€™re hurt - especially when others feel more powerful. Submission can reduce conflict and danger, but at a cost to mental health. ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—”๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฅ๐—ง๐—˜๐——: confrontation, retaliation, humiliation, or harm. ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—–๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—”๐—ง๐—˜๐——: loss of confidence, agency, and voice.โ€Œ
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/10
@charlieheriotmaitland
@charlieheriotmaitland
•
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๐Ÿด. ๐——๐—œ๐—ฆ๐—–๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—š๐—˜๐—ฅ ๐—ข๐—•๐—๐—˜๐—–๐—ง๐—œ๐—ฉ๐—˜: 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 couldnโ€™t. ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—”๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฅ๐—ง๐—˜๐——: undischarged threat energy that stays trapped in the body. ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—–๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—”๐—ง๐—˜๐——: harsh self-attack and emotional pain.
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/10
@charlieheriotmaitland
@charlieheriotmaitland
•
Follow
๐Ÿณ. ๐—•๐—Ÿ๐—”๐— ๐—˜๐—ฅ ๐—ข๐—•๐—๐—˜๐—–๐—ง๐—œ๐—ฉ๐—˜: to create a feeling of agency and control This member takes responsibility for everything that goes wrong - even when it isnโ€™t our fault. Self-blame can feel painful, but it also creates a sense of agency: If itโ€™s my fault, maybe I can fix it. ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—”๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฅ๐—ง๐—˜๐——: helplessness, powerlessness, and uncontrollable loss. ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—–๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—”๐—ง๐—˜๐——: shame, self-attack, diminished self-worth.โ€Œ
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/10
@charlieheriotmaitland
@charlieheriotmaitland
•
Follow
๐Ÿฒ. ๐—œ๐— ๐—ฃ๐—ฅ๐—ข๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฅ (the first member of the bomb squad's Self-Criticism Unit) ๐—ข๐—•๐—๐—˜๐—–๐—ง๐—œ๐—ฉ๐—˜: 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, itโ€™s often driven by fear: What if I donโ€™t improve and something bad happens? ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—”๐—ฉ๐—˜๐—ฅ๐—ง๐—˜๐——: being seen as flawed, rejected, or inadequate. ๐—›๐—”๐—ฅ๐—  ๐—–๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—”๐—ง๐—˜๐——: relentless self-criticism, shame, pressure.
5 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
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
10/10

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