Overview
Background
James N. Kirby, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor, Clinical Psychologist, Director of the Clinical Programs, and the Co-Director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at the University of Queensland. His research focus is on the science of compassion, exploring what helps or hinders our ability to be compassionate, with a key focus on the clinical effectiveness of compassion-focused interventions for addressing self-criticism and shame. James is an international trainer of Compassion Focused Therapy and is an accredited clinical supervisor, and STAP accredited Trainer. James is an Honorary Associate Professor of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University, an Honorary Member of the Compassionate Mind Foundation UK, a Fellow of the Mind & Life Institute, and a founding board member of the Global Compassion Coalition. In 2022 he authored Choose Compassion, and in 2020 he co-edited Making an Impact on Mental Health. His new book just published by Routledge is called, The Essentials of Compassion Focused Therapy: A Practice Manual for Clinicians.
Availability
- Associate Professor James Kirby is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Psychological Science, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Deepening Self-Compassion
This project will examine novel intervention strategies to deepen self-compassion
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Compassionate decision-making
This project is examining predictors to compassionate-decision making using behavioural measures
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Compassion and athletes
This project examines how compassion can help in the context of sports and athletes
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Examining the psychological impacts of integrated residential housing for young people with high-level disability
This project is supported by funding from YoungCare
Works
Search Professor James Kirby’s works on UQ eSpace
2020
Journal Article
Compassion-based interventions for people with long-term physical conditions: a mixed methods systematic review
Austin, J., Drossaert, C. H. C., Schroevers, M. J., Sanderman, R., Kirby, J. N. and Bohlmeijer, E.T. (2020). Compassion-based interventions for people with long-term physical conditions: a mixed methods systematic review. Psychology and Health, 36 (1), 1-27. doi: 10.1080/08870446.2019.1699090
2020
Journal Article
Stressed, depressed, and rank obsessed: individual differences in compassion and neuroticism predispose towards rank-based depressive symptomatology
Kim, Jeffrey J., Gerrish, Ruby, Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James N. (2020). Stressed, depressed, and rank obsessed: individual differences in compassion and neuroticism predispose towards rank-based depressive symptomatology. Psychology and Psychotherapy, 94 (S2) papt.12270, 188-211. doi: 10.1111/papt.12270
2020
Journal Article
The neurophysiological basis of compassion: An fMRI meta-analysis of compassion and its related neural processes
Kim, Jeffrey J., Cunnington, Ross and Kirby, James N. (2020). The neurophysiological basis of compassion: An fMRI meta-analysis of compassion and its related neural processes. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 108, 112-123. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.10.023
2020
Journal Article
A meta-ethnography synthesis of joint care practices between parents and grandparents from asian cultural backgrounds: benefits and challenges
Hoang, Nam-Phuong T. and Kirby, James N. (2020). A meta-ethnography synthesis of joint care practices between parents and grandparents from asian cultural backgrounds: benefits and challenges. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29 (3), 605-619. doi: 10.1007/s10826-019-01553-y
2019
Journal Article
Nurturing family environments for children: Compassion-focused parenting as a form of parenting intervention
Kirby, James N. (2019). Nurturing family environments for children: Compassion-focused parenting as a form of parenting intervention. Education Sciences, 10 (1) 3, 3. doi: 10.3390/educsci10010003
2019
Journal Article
Positive and negative attitudes towards compassion predict compassionate outcomes
Kirby, James N., Seppälä, Emma, Wilks, Matti, Cameron, C. Daryl, Tellegen, Cassandra L., Nguyen, Dong T. H., Misra, Supriya, Simon-Thomas, Emiliana, Feinberg, Matthew, Martin, Daniel and Doty, James (2019). Positive and negative attitudes towards compassion predict compassionate outcomes. Current Psychology, 40 (10), 4884-4894. doi: 10.1007/s12144-019-00405-8
2019
Journal Article
Comparing apples and pears: misleading conclusions about the population mental health impact of a parenting programme, a commentary on Marryat, Thompson and Wilson (2017)
Sanders, Matthew R., De Caestecker, Linda, McLeod, Stephen, Day, Jamin J., Turner, Karen M. T., Morawska, Alina and Kirby, James (2019). Comparing apples and pears: misleading conclusions about the population mental health impact of a parenting programme, a commentary on Marryat, Thompson and Wilson (2017). BMC Pediatrics, 19 (1) 269, 269. doi: 10.1186/s12887-019-1570-z
2019
Journal Article
Differences in the semantics of prosocial words: an exploration of compassion and kindness
Gilbert, Paul, Basran, Jaskaran, MacArthur, Michael and Kirby, James N. (2019). Differences in the semantics of prosocial words: an exploration of compassion and kindness. Mindfulness, 10 (11), 2259-2271. doi: 10.1007/s12671-019-01191-x
2019
Journal Article
Commentary regarding Wilson et al. (2018) “Effectiveness of ‘Self-Compassion’ Related Therapies: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” All Is Not as It Seems
Kirby, James N. and Gilbert, Paul (2019). Commentary regarding Wilson et al. (2018) “Effectiveness of ‘Self-Compassion’ Related Therapies: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” All Is Not as It Seems. Mindfulness, 10 (6), 1006-1016. doi: 10.1007/s12671-018-1088-8
2019
Journal Article
The role of compassionate and self-image goals in predicting psychological controlling and facilitative parenting styles
Kirby, James N., Grzazek, Olivia and Gilbert, Paul (2019). The role of compassionate and self-image goals in predicting psychological controlling and facilitative parenting styles. Frontiers in Psychology, 10 (JUN) 1041, 1041. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01041
2019
Journal Article
The ‘Flow’ of compassion: A meta-analysis of the fears of compassion scales and psychological functioning
Kirby, James N., Day, Jamin and Sagar, Vinita (2019). The ‘Flow’ of compassion: A meta-analysis of the fears of compassion scales and psychological functioning. Clinical Psychology Review, 70, 26-39. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2019.03.001
2019
Journal Article
Human evolution and culture in relationship to shame in the parenting role: Implications for psychology and psychotherapy
Kirby, James N., Sampson, Hayley, Day, Jamin, Hayes, Alan and Gilbert, Paul (2019). Human evolution and culture in relationship to shame in the parenting role: Implications for psychology and psychotherapy. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 92 (2), 238-260. doi: 10.1111/papt.12223
2019
Journal Article
Multiple Group IRT measurement invariance analysis of the forms of self-criticising/attacking and self-reassuring scale in thirteen international samples
Halamová, Júlia, Kanovský, Martin, Gilbert, Paul, Troop, Nicholas A., Zuroff, David C., Petrocchi, Nicola, Hermanto, Nicola, Krieger, Tobias, Kirby, James N., Asano, Kenichi, Matos, Marcela, Yu, FuYa, Sommers-Spijkerman, Marion, Shahar, Ben, Basran, Jaskaran and Kupeli, Nuriye (2019). Multiple Group IRT measurement invariance analysis of the forms of self-criticising/attacking and self-reassuring scale in thirteen international samples. Journal of Rational - Emotive and Cognitive - Behavior Therapy, 37 (4), 411-444. doi: 10.1007/s10942-019-00319-1
2019
Journal Article
Building an integrative science for psychotherapy for the 21st century: Preface and introduction
Gilbert, Paul and Kirby, James N. (2019). Building an integrative science for psychotherapy for the 21st century: Preface and introduction. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 92 (2), 151-163. doi: 10.1111/papt.12225
2019
Journal Article
Variation in the barriers to compassion across healthcare training and disciplines: a cross-sectional study of doctors, nurses, and medical students
Dev, Vinayak, Fernando, Antonio T., Kirby, James N. and Consedine, Nathan S. (2019). Variation in the barriers to compassion across healthcare training and disciplines: a cross-sectional study of doctors, nurses, and medical students. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 90, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2018.09.015
2019
Other Outputs
Parents as partners in Junior Rugby League: report to NRL research board
Sanders, Matthew R., Mallett, Cliff J., Kirby, James, Rynne, Steven and Marshall, David (2019). Parents as partners in Junior Rugby League: report to NRL research board. St Lucia, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2019
Journal Article
Shame, guilt, and secrets on the mind
Slepian, Michael L., Kirby, James N. and Kalokerinos, Elise K. (2019). Shame, guilt, and secrets on the mind. Emotion, 20 (2), 323-328. doi: 10.1037/emo0000542
2018
Journal Article
Developmental changes in young children's willingness to copy the antisocial actions of ingroup members in a minimal group context
Wilks, Matti, Kirby, James and Nielsen, Mark (2018). Developmental changes in young children's willingness to copy the antisocial actions of ingroup members in a minimal group context. Developmental Psychology, 55 (4), 709-721. doi: 10.1037/dev0000667
2018
Journal Article
Motivational interviewing in compassion-based interventions: theory and practical applications
Steindl, Stanley R., Kirby, James N. and Tellegan, Cassandra (2018). Motivational interviewing in compassion-based interventions: theory and practical applications. Clinical Psychologist, 22 (3), 265-279. doi: 10.1111/cp.12146
2018
Conference Publication
Compassion Symposium
Kirby, J.N., Tellegen, C.L., Steindl, S.R. and McLean, L. (2018). Compassion Symposium. AACBT National Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, October 2018.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor James Kirby is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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Deepening Self-Compassion
This PhD project is aimed at examining novel intervention strategies to deepen self-compassion. The project involves multi-modal approaches, including the use of video-recording, physiology, and self-report measures
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Examining an online Compassion Skills Training intervention
This PhD project will examine a newly created online Compassion Skills Training intervention, which includes six modules. The progam is self-directed and aimed towards populations that have difficulty with self-criticism and shame.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
The application of compassion focused therapy principles to alleviate difficulties with emotion regulation in adolescents
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sasha Lynn, Dr Chase Sherwell
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding and Enhancing Doctor, Nurse and Patient Compassion in Healthcare
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Assessing prospective memory function in the actual and virtual world.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Julie Henry, Dr Lena Oestreich, Dr Sarah Coundouris, Associate Professor Nell Baghaei
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Doctor Philosophy
Beyond traits: Exploring behavioural dimensions of compassion through the validation and application of the Compassionate Scenario Scale
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Chase Sherwell
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Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Online Compassion-Based Intervention for Caregivers of Children Born Preterm
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
An examination of men's social reactions to disclosures of non-physical intimate partner violence
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Fiona Barlow, Professor Barbara Masser
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Doctor Philosophy
NAVIGATEVR. Understanding age-related differences in hazard perception by leveraging insights from the virtual world.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sarah Coundouris, Associate Professor Nell Baghaei, Professor Julie Henry
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Doctor Philosophy
The Impact of AI-enabled Avatars on Body Ownership within Individualised Virtual Reality for Mental Health
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Julie Henry, Dr Jarrod Knibbe, Associate Professor Nell Baghaei
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Doctor Philosophy
Fostering resilience and personal growth for people with traumatic spinal cord injury
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Melanie Hoyle, Associate Professor Jacki Liddle
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Doctor Philosophy
Psychological flexibility and coaching in Australian high performance sport
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Cliff Mallett
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Social and Affective Impacts of Adult Attachment Style on Sensitivity to Distress and the Experience of Compassion
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jonathan Redshaw, Dr Chase Sherwell
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Compassion Focused Therapy for Body Weight Shame
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stacey Parker
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
The Neurophysiological Correlates of Compassion
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stacey Parker, Professor Ross Cunnington
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Nurturing ChAMPs: Child and Adolescent mental health and Maternal wellbeing following Preterm birth.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Hon Assoc Professor Samudragupta Bora
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
The Efficacy of Triple P Plus Compassion in Promoting Co-parenting Relationship Between Parents and Grandparents in Vietnam
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Divna Haslam
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
The role of antisocial behaviour and group membership on children's imitation across development
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Nielsen
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor James Kirby directly for media enquiries about:
- altruism
- compassion
- empathy
- parenting
- self-compassion
- shame
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