Table 1 Layout of the 6-week compassion-focussed therapy and breathing pattern retraining intervention

1

Part 1: Breathing pattern retraining education, breathing assessment, simple breath work. Physiotherapy demo in video and simple breath work

Part 2: Understanding compassion, CFT explained, model and intervention review; why we need compassion, our tricky brains and defining emotions such as shame, fear and loneliness; Monkey Mind meditation, just noticing our busy minds

2

Part 1: Motivation and our complex brains; understanding motives and emotions—breaking through fear and blocks

Part 2: How our thoughts and images affect our minds and brains; breathing patterns—the mind–body connection. Breathing pattern retraining education—exploring the physiotherapy-led exercises

3

Part 1: Compassionate thinking; the 3 components of self-compassion: mindfulness, common humanity and kindness. How this links with soothing breathing

Part 2: Dysfunctional breathing and stress; breathing awareness and breathing practices such as tender self-compassion break and affectionate breathing

4

Part 1: Compassionate mind training through imagery—creating your compassionate self

Part 2: Creating your compassionate self; breathing pattern retraining techniques and practice combining compassionate imagery

5

Part 1: From self-criticism and loneliness/fear to self-compassion. Distancing and wise observing; breaking identification with one’s thoughts

Part 2: Loving kindness meditation; visualising ideal compassionate self; using our compassionate self to work on self-criticism

6

Part 1: Compassionate thinking, attention, behaviour and feeling; cultivating kindness; letter to self and final session

Part 2: Looking forward—sustaining our compassionate mind; what I have learned and achieved? Reading letter-to-self using the breath