Three Emotion Systems (CFT)
An introduction to Gilbert's three emotion regulation systems (threat, drive and soothing), why they become unbalanced, and how compassion-focused therapy works to strengthen the soothing system.
About this resource
Compassion-focused therapy rests on a model of three interacting emotion regulation systems, drawn from affective neuroscience and evolutionary psychology. The threat system detects and responds to danger and produces anxiety, anger and disgust. The drive system motivates seeking, achieving and acquiring and produces excitement and pleasure. The soothing system is activated by safeness, connection and care and produces calm, contentment and a sense of being at ease. Wellbeing depends on the balance between them, and in particular on the capacity of the soothing system to regulate the other two.
Many clients, especially those with high shame and self-criticism, present with an over-developed threat system, a drive system that is used to escape threat rather than to pursue genuine goals, and a soothing system that is under-developed or blocked, often because early experiences of care were absent, inconsistent or frightening. The three-circle model gives clients a non-blaming way to understand this pattern ('my brain was shaped this way; it is not my fault, but it is my responsibility') and sets up the rationale for compassionate mind training.
The professional version adds guidance on drawing the circles collaboratively (sizing them to the client's experience), on the common finding that clients cannot recall a memory of feeling soothed, and on introducing soothing rhythm breathing as the first practice.
How to use it
- Present the model in session with a drawing of three circles. Explain each system briefly and ask the client to draw the three circles in proportion to how much time each system is active in their life. Most clients draw a large threat circle and a small soothing circle.
- Explore the client's history with each system. When was the drive system rewarded? What happened when they needed soothing as a child? This links the model to formulation without blame.
- Emphasise the key message: the soothing system regulates the other two, and it can be strengthened with practice like a muscle.
- Follow immediately with an experiential exercise (Soothing Rhythm Breathing) so that the model is felt rather than only understood.
- Return to the three circles throughout treatment as a shared shorthand: 'which system is running right now?'
References
- Gilbert, P. (2009). The Compassionate Mind. Constable.
- Gilbert, P. (2010). Compassion Focused Therapy: Distinctive Features. Routledge.
- Gilbert, P. (2014). The origins and nature of compassion focused therapy. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 53(1), 6-41.
- Depue, R. A., & Morrone-Strupinsky, J. V. (2005). A neurobehavioral model of affiliative bonding. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 28(3), 313-350.
