Dr. Eli Cwinn is a clinical psychologist who works out of Toronto, Canada who has been using Compassion-Focused Therapy, or CFT, with kids, teens and caregivers for the past 6 years.  He started by using CFT with teens in a secure detention facility with great effect and has also used CFT with teens with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Learning Disabilities, ADHD and high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Eli is also the co-chair of the Ontario Chapter of the Association of Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS) where he is a board members of a special interest group (SIG) called Applying ACT for Addictions.  

Eli and I had a very interesting and helpful discussion about what CFT is and how it is integrated with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, to provide a more technically eclectic, yet theoretically consistent process-based approach to treat complex psychological issues for children and adolescents.  This is a particularly relevant and helpful episode for parents, caregivers, teachers and other practitioners who are looking to gain better insight.