Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) suggests that compassion, like all motives, is linked to a stimulus-response algorithm. Twelve competencies for compassion map onto this algorithm: six that enable individuals to detect signals of need, distress, and suffering (including identifying the nature and causes of it and engaging with the distress) and six action competencies. The identification of these competencies led to the development of the Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales (CEAS) which measure each flow of compassion: self-compassion, compassion to others, and being open to compassion from others. They have been widely studied in both clinical and nonclinical populations and translated into over 16 different languages. We also identified 14 studies investigating their psychometric properties. Studies consistently show that the CEAS are a robust, valid, and reliable set of measures assessing compassionate engagement and action competencies which are associated with a variety of psychological processes such as mental health indicators. These scales currently do not distinguish between the different types of compassion required for different contexts and the three core domains of compassion: courage, wisdom, and commitment. Further research is required to develop more comprehensive and context sensitive measures.