David's guest this month is Paul Gilbert, FBPsS, PhD, OBE, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Derby and honorary visiting Prof at the University of Queensland. Until his retirement from the NHS in 2016 he was Clinical Psychologist for over 40 years and a consultant for 30. He has researched evolutionary approaches to psychopathology with a special focus on mood, shame and self-criticism in various mental health difficulties. Given that many of these mental health difficulties are linked to difficulties in being compassionate towards others, being recipients of compassionate care, especially in childhood, and being compassionate and supportive to oneself, cultivating compassion and its psychophysiological mediators became a target development. A recent meta-analysis from studies from over 17 countries have shown compassion-focused therapy to be highly effective.

Paul was made a Fellow of the British Psychological Society in 1993, president of the BABCP 2002-2004, and was a member of the first British Government’s NICE guidelines for depression. He has written/edited 23 books and over 330 papers and book chapters. In 2006 he established the Compassionate Mind Foundation as an international charity with the mission statement To promote wellbeing through the scientific understanding and application of compassion.

Imaginal Inspirations is hosted by David Lorimer, Programme Director of the Scientific and Medical Network and Chair of the Galileo Commission, an academic movement dedicated to expanding the evidence base of a science of consciousness. Imaginal cells are responsible for the metamorphosis of the caterpillar into a butterfly, which is the Greek symbol for the soul. These cells are dormant in the caterpillar but at a critical point of development they create the new form and structure which becomes the butterfly.

scientificandmedical.net

galileocommission.org

beyondthebrain.org

Works and links mentioned:

https://www.compassionatemind.co.uk/

https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-compassionate-mind-prof-paul-gilbert/3366863?ean=9781849010986

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2skAMI8c-4

Anthony Stevens video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAqqNOH4mX4

https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/archetype-a-natural-history-of-the-self-anthony-stevens/702618?ean=9780415052207

https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-discovery-of-the-unconscious-the-history-and-evolution-of-dynamic-psychiatry-henri-f-ellenberger/3739261?ean=9780465016730

Production: Martin Redfern

Artwork: Amber Haas

Music: Life is a River, by Magnus Moone