Compassionate Inquiry by Gabor Maté

Compassionate Inquiry, developed by Gabor Maté, is a psychotherapeutic approach that helps uncover and understand the unconscious dynamics and emotional patterns underlying physical and mental health issues. It emphasizes compassion and curiosity.

Mind-Body Connection | Recognizes the interplay between emotional experiences and physical health.

Trauma and Addiction | Views addiction and other maladaptive behaviors as coping mechanisms for unresolved trauma and emotional pain.

Non-Judgmental Inquiry | Encourages a compassionate and curious exploration of one’s inner world and past experiences.

Applications

Therapeutic Dialogue: Therapists use open-ended questions and compassionate listening to help clients connect with and understand their deeper emotional truths. Clients are guided to explore and uncover their deeper emotional truths, including underlying beliefs, fears, patterns, and unresolved issues. This process helps clients gain insight into the origins of their emotional struggles and promotes self-awareness.

Self-Compassion: Clients are guided to develop a compassionate relationship with themselves, fostering healing and integration of painful experiences. Compassionate Inquiry also integrates awareness of bodily sensations and experiences, recognizing the interconnectedness of mind and body. Therapists may help clients notice how emotions manifest physically and how these sensations relate to their emotional states.