Russell L. Kolts, PhD , is a licensed clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at Eastern Washington University, where he has taught for the past seventeen years. Kolts has authored or coauthored numerous books and scholarly articles, including The Compassionate-Mind Guide to Managing Your Anger , and has pioneered the application of compassion-focused therapy (CFT) to the treatment of problematic anger. An internationally recognized expert in CFT, he regularly conducts trainings and workshops on compassion and CFT, and has appeared in his own TEDx Talk. Foreword writer Paul Gilbert, PhD , is world-renowned for his work on depression, shame, and self-criticism, and is the developer of CFT. He is head of the mental health research unit at the University of Derby, and has authored or coauthored numerous scholarly articles and books, including The Compassionate Mind , Mindful Compassion , and Overcoming Depression . Afterword writer Steven C. Hayes, PhD , is Nevada Foundation Professor and director of clinical training in the department of psychology at the University of Nevada.

An author of forty-one books and nearly 600 scientific articles, his career has focused on analysis of the nature of human language and cognition, and its application to the understanding and alleviation of human suffering and promotion of human prosperity. Among other associations, Hayes has been president of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy, and the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. His work has received several awards, including the Impact of Science on Application Award from the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy.