Compassion-focused therapy groups in secondary care adult mental health services: A service evaluation

Vivolo, Marco, Ardeman, Gabriel and Ford, Catherine (2025) Compassion-focused therapy groups in secondary care adult mental health services: A service evaluation. International Journal of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. ISSN 3059-3042

Preview

PDF (s41811-025-00230-x) - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (862kB) | Preview

Abstract

Preliminary research highlights the potential benefits of compassion-focused therapy (CFT) groups for individuals with severe and enduring mental health difficulties (MHD) and high levels of self-criticism. This service evaluation aimed to assess whether attendance at CFT groups run by two adult community mental health teams (CMHTs) was associated with improvements in compassion, depression, anxiety, and self-esteem. A mixed-method design was employed. Quantitative and qualitative patient-reported routine outcome measures (PROMs) and experience feedback were obtained from 12 service users and analyzed using a reliable change index clinically significant change metrics, and frequency and content analyses. The most common, significant improvements indicated were found for self-compassion and self-kindness, and, to a lesser extent, in levels of anxiety and depression. Service users described the groups as enjoyable and useful, and valued the relational safety of the group and specific CFT techniques and concepts, requesting more sessions and visual materials. This service evaluation found that CFT group interventions can represent an acceptable alternative to individual treatment, though results need to be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and use of different measures at each site.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	03 Feb 2025 13:30
Last Modified:	14 Feb 2025 01:24
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/98351
DOI:	10.1007/s41811-025-00230-x

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item