A narrative review exploring the effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy.

Beaumont, Elaine; Hollins Martin, Caroline J

Abstract

This narrative review summarises findings of research that has shown use of Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) to improve psychological outcomes in clinical populations. This article reviews the research studies that have utilised CFT to treat clients experiencing a variety of mental health issues. The paper begins offering an overview of CFT theory and compassionate mind interventions. A literature search was conducted which included book chapters and articles that discussed compassion focused therapy. Twelve studies were identified which showed significant psychological improvements in clients with diagnosed trauma symptoms, brain injury, eating disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, chronic mental health problems and psychosis, both within groups and during one-to-one therapy. Within the context
of the reviewed studies, CFT has shown itself to be an effective therapeutic intervention when combined with
approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
The research design of the majority of the studies examined precluded determining the extent of individual contributions that CFT made towards client recovery. Further research that uses more rigorous approaches are required to evaluate more effectively the role CFT plays in clients’ therapeutic recovery.

Citation

Beaumont, E., & Hollins Martin, C. J. (2015). A narrative review exploring the effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy. Counselling psychology review / the British Psychological Society, 30, 21-32

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jul 29, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 29, 2015
• Print ISSN: 0269-6975
• Publisher: British Psychological Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 30
• Pages: 21-32
• Keywords: Compassion-focused therapy (CFT); compassionate mind training (CMT); self-compassion; clinical outcome measure; narrative review
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/8897