Compassionate Inquiry is a somatic-based psychotherapeutic method developed by Dr. Gabor Maté that reveals what lies beneath the appearance we present to the world. Through Compassionate Inquiry, the client can recognize the unconscious dynamics that run their lives and how to liberate themselves from them.
Unlike more directive or solution-focused therapies, the approach emphasizes client-led exploration, deep compassion, and the creation of a safe, non-judgmental space for self-discovery.
By integrating physical sensations and emotional insights, it facilitates healing of the whole person, allowing clients to release trauma and move toward self-compassion and understanding. The approach encourages a deep, compassionate exploration of a clients’ inner world, where the therapist acts not as a fixer but as a guide who witnesses and facilitates the client’s self-discovery. It’s an approach that sets itself apart from other psychotherapeutic techniques in significant ways.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this work is helping clients recognize the ways they’ve adapted to past trauma or pain. Often, these adaptations—such as emotional avoidance, negative self-beliefs, or people-pleasing—were necessary for survival at some point. Compassionate Inquiry allows us to explore these patterns without judgment, helping clients understand why they developed them and how they might no longer serve them.
Though not always central to every session, Compassionate Inquiry can help create space for clients to explore existential or spiritual dimensions of their healing if they wish. Some of my clients seek to connect with a deeper sense of self or a higher purpose, and this approach allows for that exploration. It’s about helping clients reconnect with their essence, beyond the conditioned mind or ego, and tap into a sense of meaning that can be very healing.