About me
Christine Braehler, DClinPsy, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist and seasoned workshop leader.
Since 2008, she has been teaching self-compassion globally. She has played a key role in creating the first clinical adaptations of Compassion Focused Therapy and the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) training program.
She has led research on compassion-based therapy for complex mental health challenges and published the program Self-Compassion in Clinical Practice.
Her programmes, sessions, and books aim to help you connect with your heart energy and find lasting love.
Her approach combines effective psychological methods, self-compassion, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy with her intuitive insights.
Book chapters
- Braehler, C. (2023). Ch. 20: Self-Compassion in Trauma Treatment. In A. Finlay-Jones, K. Bluth, K. Neff (Eds.) Handbook of Self-Compassion. (pp. 347-367). Mindfulness in Behavioral Health. Springer.
- Braehler, C. & Neff, K. (2020). Ch. 20: Self-Compassion in PTSD. In M. Tull & N. Kimbrel (Eds.) Emotion in PTSD. (pp. 567-591). Elsevier.
- Braehler, C. & Germer, C. (2017). Compassion in Psychotherapy. In J. Loizzo, M. Neale, E. Wolf (Eds). Advances in Contemplative Psychotherapy: Accelerating Transformation. (pp. 131-145). Routledge.
- Braehler, C., Harper, J. & Gilbert, P. (2013). Compassion Focused Group Therapy for Recovery after Psychosis. In C. Steel (Ed.), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Schizophrenia: Evidence Based Interventions and Future Directions (pp. 236-266). Chichester: Wiley.
- Winter, H., Braehler, C., & Gilbert, P. (2013) Compassion Focused Therapy. In T. Heidenreich & J. Michalak (Ed.) Die “dritte Welle”: Neue Ansätze in der Verhaltenstherapie. (pp. 79-101) Beltz Verlag.
- Brähler, C. (2013). Compassion Focused Therapy bei Depression. In O. Kunz & T. Teismann (Ed.). Moderne Ansätze in der Depressionsbehandlung. (pp. 295-328) DGVT Verlag.
Peer-reviewed articles
- Martins, M. J., Carvalho, C. B., Macedo, A., Pereira, A. T., Braehler, C., Gumley, A., & Castilho, P. (2018). Recovery through affiliation: A compassionate approach to schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder (COMPASS). Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 9, 97-102.
- Braehler, C., Valiquette, L., Holowka, D., Malla, A.K., Joober, R., Ciampi, A., Pawliuk, N., & King, S., (2013) Childhood Trauma and Dissociation in First Episode Schizophrenia, Chronic Schizophrenia, and Community Controls. Psychiatry Research, 210(1), 36-42.
- Braehler, C., Gumley, A., Harper, J., Wallace, S., Norrie, J., & Gilbert, P. (2013). Exploring change processes in compassion focused therapy in psychosis: Results of a feasibility randomized controlled trial. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 52(2), 199-214.
- Braehler, C. & Schwannauer, M. (2012). Recovering an Emerging Self: Exploring Reflective Function in Recovery from Adolescent-Onset Psychosis. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 85 (1), 48-67.
- Gumley, A., Braehler, C., Laithwaite, H., MacBeth, A. & Gilbert, P. (2010). A compassion-focussed model of recovery after psychosis. International Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 3(2), 186-201.
- Braehler, C., Holowka, D., Brunet, A., Beaulieu, S., Baptista, T., Debruille, J-B., Walker, C-D., King, S. (2005). Diurnal cortisol in schizophrenia patients with childhood trauma. Schizophrenia Research, 79 (2-3), 353-354.
Education & Qualifications
- 1998-2002 MA (Hons) Psychology, University of Edinburgh, UK
- 2004-2007 Doctor of Clinical Psychology, University of Edinburgh, UK
- 2015 Doctor of Philosophy by Research, University of Edinburgh, UK
Professional Accreditation
- 2007-2018 Chartered Clinical Psychologist, British Psychological Society, UK
- 2009-2021 Registered Practitioner Psychologist, Health Professions Council, UK
- since 2010 Accredited Clinical Supervisor, University of Glasgow, UK
- since 2010 Approbation als Psychologischer Psychotherapeut (license), Germany
- since 2012 Facharztregistereintragung (Registered as Specialist), Germany
- since 2013 Accredited Clinical Supervisor, Psychotherapeutenkammer Bayern, Germany
Post-Qualification Accreditations
- 2008 Accreditation in Behavioural Family Therapy, UK
- 2008-2010 Mindfulness & Compassion Trainer, Rob Nairn & Mindfulness Association, UK
- Since 2010 Trainer and Supervisor in Compassion Focused Therapy, Paul Gilbert, UK
- Since 2012 Certified Teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion, Center for MSC, US
- Since 2014 Certified Teacher Trainer of Mindful Self-Compassion, Center for MSC, US
- Since 2015 Training in Psychodynamische Imaginative Trauma Therapie (PITT)
- Since 2019 Internal Family Systems Therapy Level 1, The Center for Self-Leadership, US
- Since 2022 Intimacy From the Inside Out – Internal Family Systems Therapy Level 2, The Center for Self-Leadership, US
Employment History
- 2001-2002 Psychiatric Nursing Assistant, NHS Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
- 2002-2004 Research Coordinator, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University Montréal, Canada
- 2003-2004 Research Assistant, Prevention & Early Intervention Program for Psychoses Douglas Mental Health University Institute Montréal, Canada
- 2004-2007 Trainee Clinical Psychologist, NHS Lothian & University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- 2008-2010 Specialist Clinical Psychologist in CMHT, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Irvine, UK
- 2011-2012 Clinical Psychologist, Psychosomatic Hospital Heiligenfeld, Bad Kissingen, Germany
- 2012 – 2018 Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice, Munich, Germany
- 2016-2018 Board Secretary, Center for Mindful Self-Compassion, US
Teaching
- 2008 - 2023 Honorary Lecturer, Institute of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, UK
- 2010 – 2011 Honorary Teaching Fellow, MSc Mindfulness Studies, University of Aberdeen, UK
- 2014 – 2021 Faculty Member, Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute, University of California at San Diego, US
- Since 2010 Invited lectures and workshops worldwide since 2008. See detailed listing below.