“Helping people live with more compassion, courage and purpose.”

Dr. Chris Irons

  • Worldwide speaker and teacher
  • Trained more than 20,000 clinicians
  • Co-developer of The Self-Compassion App

WHO I AM?

Clinical Psychologist      •      CFT & Self-Compassion Expert     •     Author        •     Speaker

I’m Dr. Chris Irons, and I’m passionate about helping people discover the transformative power of compassion. I wear a few different hats in my professional life – clinical psychologist, coach, teacher, trainer, researcher and author.

What connects all these roles is a shared foundation: compassion, especially through an approach known as
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).

CFT was developed by my colleague, mentor and friend, Professor Paul Gilbert.
It brings together insights from psychology, neuroscience and evolutionary science to create a powerful, evidence-based approach to improving mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Where
COMPASSION
meets
PSYCOLOGY

my work

Over the past two decades, I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of people, from those struggling with intense self-criticism and shame, to leaders searching for more compassionate ways to guide others.

At the centre of it all is one idea: compassion can be a powerful force for personal and social change. I split my time between several roles that allow me to explore this idea from different angles:

As a clinical psychologist, I work with individuals navigating intense self-criticism, shame, and imposter syndrome. My approach blends evidence-based therapies with a focus on self-compassion, helping clients cultivate resilience, manage emotions, and transform personal challenges into growth opportunities.

I lead workshops and training programs for professionals, teams, and organizations, guiding them to develop compassionate leadership skills and emotional intelligence. Through practical exercises, case studies, and interactive sessions, participants learn to foster environments of psychological safety, empathy, and collaboration.

I have authored research papers and publications on Compassion Focused Therapy, self-criticism, and leadership. My work bridges academic research and practical application, aiming to make the insights of psychology accessible to a wider audience and inspire real-world change.

As a coach and consultant, I partner with leaders, executives, and high-performing individuals to unlock their potential. I provide tailored guidance to overcome limiting beliefs, manage stress, and lead with empathy, helping clients achieve sustainable personal and professional growth.

I co-founded the Self-Compassion App, a digital platform designed to make self-compassion practices accessible to everyone. The app offers guided exercises, educational resources, and tools to help users reduce self-criticism, increase well-being, and foster a kinder relationship with themselves.

Why Compassion?

A Personal Journey

I’ve been fortunate to grow up surrounded by people who dedicated their lives to helping others — teachers, activists, changemakers.

At the time, I didn’t fully realise it, but there was a common thread running through it all: compassion.

“I was witnessing people who genuinely cared. Who were moved by others’ struggles, and wanted them to thrive.”

From Classroom to Real Life

While studying psychology at university, I often wondered how academic theories connected with real human suffering. That changed during a life-changing placement in 1999 with Professor Paul Gilbert, a mentor, colleague and friend.

It was there that I first saw compassion in action — through the integration of evolutionary psychology, attachment theory and mental health into meaningful clinical work. This eventually became the foundation of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).

Compassion That Transforms

During my PhD and clinical training, I saw first-hand how compassion could transform people’s lives, not as a soft or passive concept, but as a courageous, strength-based approach to facing emotional pain.

As a therapist, I noticed how many of my clients were stuck in patterns of harsh self-criticism and deep feelings of inadequacy,even when life was going well. Their inner voice would say: “You’re not good enough.”

That’s where CFT made a difference.

More Than a Theory

What began as an academic interest became a personal mission. Compassion isn’t just an idea I study — it’s something I see work every day. 

It’s a science-backed way of helping people build resilience, connect meaningfully, and live with greater emotional freedom.

“Compassion isn’t about being soft. It’s about meeting suffering with wisdom, courage and care.”

Trusted by People Around the World 

I look forward to helping you discover the life-changing power of compassion.

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