Group cognitive behavioural therapy with compassion training for depression in a Japanese community: a single-group feasibility study

Compassion focused therapy: a systematic review of its effectiveness and acceptability in clinical populations

Introduction: Compassion focused therapy (CFT) is an increasingly popular therapeutic modality. Its holistic and integrative approach to universal human suffering means that it is well placed as a transdiagnostic therapy. Research into its effectiveness and acceptability has increased over the previous 10 years as the therapy has evolved, and to help consider its status as an evidence-based therapy research concerning its treatment outcomes needs evaluating.Areas covered: This paper reviews research investigating the effectiveness of CFT in clinical populations.Expert opinion: CFT shows promise for a range of mental health problems, especially when delivered in a group format over at least 12 hours. This is important for funding bodies and commissioning groups to consider as they allocate healthcare resources in light of current evidence-based practice. CFT is demonstrably well accepted by clients and clinicians and there is now a clear need for an updated, universally deployed, standard manual to direct future research. This will be critical in enabling widespread implementation and further adoption into mainstream clinical practice, will address the lack of standardization in the current research, and pave the way for further randomized control trials aimed at reducing existing methodological limitations.

Integrating Metta Into CBT: How Loving Kindness and Compassion Meditation Can Enhance CBT for Treating Anxiety and Depression

Loving kindness meditation and compassion meditation are traditional Buddhist practices that have recently been introduced and investigated in psychotherapy with promising results. Both meditation practices emphasize metta, a mental state of positive energy and kindness towards oneself and other beings, as opposed to the anger, hostility, or self-loathing that often accompany emotional problems.

We conducted a qualitative review of the literature to produce an integrative review.

Metta meditation appears to be particularly useful for treating depression and social anxiety, both characterized by low positive affect and negative attitudes and core beliefs about the self.

Metta meditation can aid therapy by promoting more adaptive self-images, social connectedness, and emotional experiences.

Loving kindness and compassion meditation (metta) have been recently introduced in psychotherapy.

Metta addresses shame, anger, and hostility, and promotes an accepting attitude towards oneself.

Metta meditation increases positive affect.

Metta meditation can be particularly useful in social anxiety and depression.