A pilot exploration of the use of compassionate images in a group of self‐critical people

“Since its introduction, CFT has been increasingly used for a variety of presenting difficulties, including depression (Gilbert & Irons, 2004), bipolar disorder and psychosis (Heriot-Maitland et al., 2014), eating disorders (Goss & Allan, 2010), and persistent pain (Penlington, 2018).”

“Therapists have used imagery work as an intervention for many psychological issues such as trauma (Arntz, Sofi, & Breukelen, 2013; Barry, 2012; Shachar, 2010; Van der Hart, 2012), adult relationship problems (Barry, 2012), self-criticism, and shame (Gilbert & Irons, 2004; Gilbert & Procter, 2006).”

“Furthermore, our DOI: 10.4236/psych.2017.813140 2209 Psychology results confirm previous assertions (Albertson, Neff, & Dill-Shackleford, 2015; Gilbert & Irons, 2004; Karakasidou & Stalikas, 2017; Neff & Costigan, 2014; Shapira & Mongrain, 2010; Smeets et al., 2014) arguing that self-compassion can…”

“, compassion-focused therapy; CFT), which focus on the first feature of SC (self-directed contempt), were effective for highly self-critical individuals (Gilbert and Irons, 2004; Gilbert and Procter, 2006).”

“Self-reassuring is the ability to be supportive toward oneself when confronting challenges (Gilbert & Irons, 2004), enabling individuals to maintain a positive outlook that can overcome suffering (Payogo et al., 2018).”

“Functions of Self-Criticizing/Attacking Scale (FSCAS; Gilbert and Irons 2004).”

“Gilbert and Irons (2004) add the qualities of warmth and wisdom to self-compassion, connecting it to the mammalian caretaking and comfort system.”

“…feelings of ease, relaxation and calmness, cultivated by safeness, contentment, and inner peace (Mok et al. , 2020), have been associated with decreased self-criticism and increased compassion and self-compassion (Gilbert, 2009; Gilbert et al. , 2006; Gilbert & Irons, 2004; Judge et al. , 2012).”

“Since highly self-critical individuals can be expected not to exhibit high levels of self-reassurance (Gilbert & Irons, 2004; López et al., 2018), and are even prone to a fear of compassion (Hart et al., 2020), the proposed protective in fl uence of self-reassur-ance may only become evident after…”

“…Kearney-Cooke & Striegel-Moore, 1994), borderline personality disorders (Sansone et al., 1991), trauma-related disorders (Burgess et al., 1995; Paivio & Pascual-Leone, 2010; Thomas, 2006), anxiety (Daly & Mallinckrodt, 2009), and depressive disorders (Gilbert & Irons, 2004; Kelly et al., 2009).”

“They may also assist self-critical individuals in their self-definitional needs through interactions of mutual kindness and common humanity, which are building blocks of self-compassion (Gilbert & Irons, 2004; Gilbert & Procter, 2006; Neff, 2003).”

“…fi cally, self-kindness involves af-fi rming, even after failure, that the self deserves love and happiness by extending oneself empathy and forgiveness regarding various aspects, such as one ’ s actions, feelings, thoughts, and impulses (Barnard & Curry, 2011; Gilbert & Irons, 2004; Neff, 2003a).”

“Gilbert and Irons (2004) and Karatzias et al. (2019a) propose that these more psychologically pervasive DSO symptoms may be more responsive to compassion-based interventions, and individuals with CPTSD who engage in compassion-based interventions to address these DSO symptoms will see greater…”

“Vulnerability to shame-based self-criticism is commonly rooted in memories of the self being rejected, criticized, and shamed (Gilbert, 1989/2016, 1998, 2002; Gilbert & Irons, 2004; Kaufman, 1989) and/or abused (Andrews, 1998).”

“Measurement of Self-Criticism and Self-Reassurance The Forms of Self-Criticism/Reassuring Scale (FSCRS; Gilbert et al. 2004 (Halamová et al. 2018).”

“Gilbert & Irons (2004) mentioned, that the ability to be compassionate towards self is often underdeveloped, because people struggling with self-criticism have often no memories of being cared for or treated with compassion.”

“Self-critical people generally lack self-kindness, reassurance, and human warmth (Gilbert & Irons, 2004).”

“Some interventions, such as compassionate mind training, are designed to help highly self-critical individuals view self-compassion as a skill while inwardly examining the effects of self-criticism (Gilbert & Irons, 2004).”

“…Meares, & Standart, 2004; Ehlers & Clark, 2000), body dysmorphic disorder (Osman, Cooper, Hackmann, & Veale, 2004), major depressive disorder (Gilbert & Irons, 2004), obsessive-compulsive disorder (Speckens, Hackmann, Ehlers, & Cuthbert, 2007), and social anxiety disorder (SAD; Hackmann,…”

“For example, it has been proposed that profoundly negative self-concepts may respond well to compassion-focused interventions [55].”

“Gilbert and Irons (2004) describe it as a shame-based process because the self is perceived as inadequate and undesirable.”

“…of self-compassion as a protective factor against relational strain may inform the growing number of selfcompassion interventions (Gilbert & Proctor, 2006; Neff & Germer, 2013; Raes, 2010) developed for issues ranging from low back pain (Carson et al., 2005) to depression (Gilbert & Irons, 2004).”

“…examining specific SC-enhancement interventions, which have found SC improvement only following therapeutic processes lasting 5 – 8 weeks (e.g., Gilbert & Irons, 2004; Neff & Germer, 2013b; Shahar et al., 2012) while failing to detect such an improvement following a single intervention…”

“In regard to self-soothing/compassion there was a significant increase in ease of generating these images and soothing oneself in self-critical situation [16, 17].”

“Additionally, and even more importantly, research also suggests that self-compassion can be fostered (e.g., Adams & Leary, 2007; Gilbert & Irons, 2004; Gilbert & Procter, 2006; Kelly et al., 2010; Leary et al., 2007; Shapira & Mongrain, 2010; Neff & Germer, 2013), setting up self-compassion as a…”

“These elements jointly foster emotional balance and adaptive coping (Bishop et al., 2004; Gilbert & Irons, 2004; Neff, 2009).”

“The results suggest that although CMT was developed as a group-based therapy (Gilbert & Irons, 2004), the intervention was accessible to a larger non-clinical sample and has the potential to be as effective as an in-person CMT.”

“Many individuals fear self-compassion (Gilbert et al., 2011), including those with social anxiety (Gilbert & Irons, 2004), and this fear has typically been studied in the context 1 3 of mental health concerns.”

“…self-criticism is a clinically relevant construct and there is a wealth of quantitative research on self-criticism (e.g., Blatt & Zuroff, 1992; Kramer & Pascual-Leone, 2016; Whelton & Greenberg, 2005), there are only a few qualitative research studies in this area (e.g., Gilbert & Irons, 2004).”

“Participants might struggle to hold on to a lasting compassionate image [72] or generate an image that also has self-critical features [73].”

“Among the multifaceted complexities of these disorders, body image concerns and self-criticism stand as prominent and often debilitating features, contributing to the maintenance and exacerbation of disordered eating behaviours [9].”

“Self-criticism refers to a pattern of negative self-evaluation in which individuals direct harsh judgment, dislike, or even hatred toward themselves due to perceived failures or ina-* dequacies (Gilbert et al., 2004).”

“Research has shown that self-criticism is a transdiagnostic factor linked to various psychological disorders and is associated with poorer psychotherapy outcomes (Gilbert and Irons, 2004).”

“They can negatively affect emotional well-being by interfering with sleep, lowering self-esteem, and contributing to chronic stress [9, 28].”

“Moreover, those who report having social anxiety tend to report greater fear of self-compassion (Gilbert & Irons, 2004).”

“As described in the literature [1,19–21], giving power to the voices at the expense of the person implies the idea of a suffered experience, fostering the patient’s feelings of inadequacy, and undermining their sense of self-efficacy.”

“Although there were recorded impacts of compassionate imagery in enhancing compassion for others and self, (Gilbert & Irons, 2004) more empirical studies are needed to establish its causality.”

“Isso se daria pois indivíduos autocríticos percebem funções úteis e vantajosas para se criticarem, como prevenir erros futuros e manter os próprios padrões (Gilbert et al., 2004), e podem acreditar que o medo da autocompaixão seria protetor (Gilbert et al., 2011).”

“…described as a personality trait that enhances people’s frustrations and anger toward themselves in reaction to failures and setbacks (Blatt, 2004; Gilbert et al., 2004; Gilbert and Irons, 2004) while in the meta-emotional problem patients only criticize themselves for having negative emotions.”

“This can be particularly useful for individuals who are highly self-critical, judge themselves harshly and struggle with showing sensitivity to their own suffering (Craig et al. 2020; Gilbert and Irons 2004).”

“MSC is a relevant and useful therapeutic framework for IPA survivors because the concept has been shown to improve many of the emotional responses and mental health problems commonly associated with IPA, such as shame, selfblame, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidality (Gilbert and Irons 2004; Gilbert et al. 2006;…”

“Thus, future intervention studies should aim to implement a longer-term, self-compassion intervention such as compassionate imagery training (Gilbert and Irons 2004), and examine its impact over a subsequent number of weeks.”

“Policymakers have shown immense interest in enhancing entrepreneurial activity through economic growth, innovation and productivity (Aghion et al., 2009; Gilbert & Irons, 2004) at the macro level.”

“To our knowledge, the only study on self-compassion that has employed qualitative methods is Gilbert and Iron’s (2004) pilot study, which included both qualitative data collection methods (e.g., diary entries) and quantitative data collection methods (e.g., ratings of selfcriticism).”

“I will specifically focus on research that studies the efficacy of Compassionate Mind Training, or elements of this approach (Gilbert & Irons, 2004; Gilbert & Procter, 2006; Mayhew & Gilbert, 2006) in treating clients with shame and self-criticism and related mental health issues.”