Cited by 201Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsPsychotherapy Techniques and ApplicationsPersonality Disorders and Psychopathology

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 58 of the 58 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

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

Open access

Craig, Catriona, Hiskey, Syd, Spector, Aimee·2020·Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics

DOI 10.1080/14737175.2020.1746184

Open this paper in CoChat — free account Open PDF

Abstract

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.

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1080/14737175.2020.1746184

Cites

58 of 58 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

The self-check needs the paper’s full text.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
American Psychiatric Association (2013) · doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596 · Cited by 116,369
The feasibility of creating a checklist for the assessment of the methodological quality both of randomised and non-randomised studies of health care interventions.
Downs, S. H., & Black, N. (1998) · Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health · doi:10.1136/jech.52.6.377 · Cited by 8,252
The Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Self-Compassion
NEFF, K. D. (2003) · Self and Identity · doi:10.1080/15298860309027 · Cited by 6,436
Process evaluation of complex interventions: Medical Research Council guidance
Moore, G. F., Audrey, S., Barker, M., Bond, L., Bonell, C., Hardeman, W., Moore, L., O'Cathain, A., Tinati, T., Wight, D., et al. (2015) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.h1258 · Cited by 6,204 · cited 2×
“The Medical Research Council’s guidelines [13] for evaluating complex interventions suggest using both quantitative and qualitative measures of acceptability and satisfaction, including how patients are interacting with the intervention (such as engaging in therapeutic tasks).”
Background
The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses
Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, I. J. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. (2012) · Cognitive Therapy and Research · doi:10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1 · Cited by 3,445 · cited 2×
“As CBT is the current treatment of choice for most psychological ailments due to its sizeable evidence-base [54] it is important that CFT is directly compared with CBT in terms of its effects.”
Background
The polyvagal perspective.
Porges, S. W. (2007) · Biological Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2006.06.009 · Cited by 3,415
Exploring compassion: A meta-analysis of the association between self-compassion and psychopathology
MacBeth, A., & Gumley, A. (2012) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2012.06.003 · Cited by 1,838 · cited 3×
“A meta-analysis found that greater self-compassion is associated with fewer mental health difficulties, yet lower self-compassion is associated with increased psychopathology [10].”
BackgroundInfluential
Compassionate mind training for people with high shame and self-criticism: Overview and pilot study of a group therapy approach
Gilbert, P., & Procter, S. (2006) · Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.507 · Cited by 1,822 · cited 3×
“Those with the lowest number of completers were populations with severe and complex mental health problems: Heriot-Maitland et al. [34] found that only 66% of patients on a psychiatric ward remained for the majority of one session, and Gilbert and Proctor [47] found only 67% of patients attending a day center (with lo…”
BackgroundResult
Self-compassion and adaptive psychological functioning.
Neff, K. D., Kirkpatrick, K. L., & Rude, S. S. (2007) · Journal of Research in Personality · doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2006.03.004 · Cited by 1,627
The origins and nature of compassion focused therapy
Gilbert, P. (2014) · British Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjc.12043 · Cited by 1,593

Show all 58 references

Research works printed but not linked: 8

LeDoux J, 1998, The emotional brain
Carlyle M, 2019, J Subst Abuse Treat, 13, 1
Noorbala F, 2013, Iran J Psychiatry, 8, 113
Beaumont E, 2012, Couns Psychol Rev, 27, 31
World Health Organization, 2016, ICD-11 Beta Draft (Joint Linearization for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics)
Bargh J, 2017, Before you know it: the unconscious reasons we do what we do
Anstiss T, 2017, The wiley blackwell handbook of the psychology of positivity and strengths‐based approaches at work
West M, 2017, Caring to change: how compassionate leadership can stimulate innovation in health care

Sorted by citations

Items 101–200 of 200

The efficacy of compassion focused therapy in eating disorders: a systematic review of the literature
Stock, M., Beaman, L., Moreton, R., Holland-Borosh, C., Hartland, H., & Hamadi, L. (2025) · Journal of Eating Disorders · doi:10.1186/s40337-025-01418-4 · Cited by 4
“Reviews focusing only on synthesizing evidence for CFT have either done so in the context of other mental health difficulties [21, 91], or in body image and shame in non-clinical populations [16].”
Influential
Psychological Changes Following MBSR and CCT Interventions in a Brief and Intensive Retreat Format: A Sequential Randomized Crossover Study
Zangri, R. M., Roca, P., Blanco, I., Kulis, M., Díez, G. G., Martín-Subero, J. I., & Vázquez, C. (2024) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-024-02410-w · Cited by 3
“In the case of compassion-based interventions, such as Compas-sion Focused Therapy, a systematic review found that even a brief intervention can reduce levels of psychopathology in clinical samples (Craig et al., 2020).”
Treating emotional neglect: polyvagal and trauma-informed compassion focused therapy
Blanning, S. (2024) · Counselling Psychology Quarterly · doi:10.1080/09515070.2024.2413093 · Cited by 4
“Both Millard et al. (2023) and Craig et al. (2020) recommend more research on CFT as an individual therapy intervention.”
Being kind to ourselves: group compassion-focused therapy (CFT) versus treatment as usual (TAU) to improve depression and anxiety in dementia – a protocol for a mixed-methods feasibility randomised controlled trial within the NHS
Spector, A. E., Melville, M., Craig, C., Henderson, C., Hiskey, S., Knapp, M. R. J., Kusel, Y., Oliver, K. D., Robinson, L. A., Royan, L., et al. (2024) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-093249 · Cited by 3
“Our team (Craig et al 4 ) systematically reviewed the effectiveness of CFT in clinical populations including depression, psychosis and borderline personality disorder.”
Self-Compassion Across Anxiety and Mood Disorders: Implications for Treatment
Bommarito, S., Stevenson, A., & Warren, R. (2024) · Current Psychiatry Reports · doi:10.1007/s11920-024-01582-5 · Cited by 3
“In addition, Mindful Self-Compassion has demonstrated effectiveness in a variety of non-clinical populations [ 2, 19], and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) has shown effectiveness in clinical populations [20 , 21 ].”
The Effectiveness of Compassion-Focused Therapy Method on Social Support, Hope Levels, and Caregiver Burden in Mothers of Children with Down Syndrome
Kafshgari, H. D., Haydari, S., & Bisheh, K. A. N. (2025) · Journal of Health Reports and Technology · doi:10.5812/jhrt-162936 · Cited by 3
Effectiveness of Compassion-focused Therapy on Self-esteem, Empathy, and Forgiveness in Child Labor
Hosseinverdi, M., Pourassadi, Z., Keshavarz, S., & Kakavand, A. (2021) · Quarterly Journal of Child Mental Health · doi:10.52547/jcmh.7.4.12 · Cited by 6
Investigating the experience of individuals with comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and substance misuse attending a Seeking Safety group
Airdrie, J. N., Lievesley, A., & Griffith, E. (2021) · Advances in Dual Diagnosis · doi:10.1108/add-04-2021-0006 · Cited by 3
‘A Way of Being in the World’: An Exploration of the Experience of Developing Self-Compassion through Online Training
Deacon, J., Northover, C., King, J. A., & Irons, C. (2021) · OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2104050 · Cited by 3
“Given the number of research studies which have demonstrated links between self-compassion and wellbeing [43-45], it is encouraging that self-help formats could offer a route to increasing the accessibility and scalability of CFT and CMT-based approaches for the general population.”
Is there adequate evidence to support the use of compassion focused therapy group interventions with forensic mental health service users? A rapid evidence assessment
D’Souza, L., & Lawrence, D. (2021) · Forensic Update · doi:10.53841/bpsfu.2021.1.136.39 · Cited by 3
Validation of a German Translation of the Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales and Sussex-Oxford Compassion Scales in a General Population Sample
Brophy, K., Emery, M., MacDonald, C., Bigelow, A., Ernst, J., Graser, J., Lyons, N., & Körner, A. (2025) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-025-02545-4 · Cited by 5
“…been highly influential in bridging research and clinical practice, underpinning Com-passion-Focused Therapy (CFT), a well-established therapeutic approach with a robust evidence base for addressing a range of psychological challenges (Craig et al., 2020; Gil-bert, 2014; Leaviss & Uttley, 2015).”
Rehabilitating Paraphilic Disorder in Prisons
Walton, J. S. (2021) · Sexual Deviance · doi:10.1002/9781119771401.ch19 · Cited by 1
The development of the Japanese version of the Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale (J-FSCRS): implications for cross-cultural research on self-criticism and self-reassurance
Kishimoto, K., Asano, K., Colman, R. D., Kameo, Y., Aledeh, M., Barnes, K., & Kotera, Y. (2024) · Mental Health Religion & Culture · doi:10.1080/13674676.2024.2313462 · Cited by 2
“…in which self-criticism is higher and self-reassurance lower (Navarrete et al., 2021), have also been shown in a recent systematic review of Craig et al. (2020) to benefit from Compassion Focused Therapy (Gilbert, 2014), in which self-reassurance is cultivated to counter the negative…”
Psychometric Properties and Factor Structure of the Swedish Version of the Self-Compassion Scale
Bratt, A. S., Marcusson‐Clavertz, D., Ozolins, A., & Carlsson, R. (2024) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-024-02487-3 · Cited by 3
“…therapy, which was specifically developed to decrease shame in patients with mental health problems, has been found to increase self-compassion (Craig et al. 2020), and to give clinical populations strength to stand up for themselves instead of feeling ashamed of one’s mental health problems…”
Compassion focused therapy for older people: Why it is needed and adaptations for clinical practice
Poz, R., & Craig, C. (2025) · Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice · doi:10.1111/papt.12579 · Cited by 3
“CFT has now been demonstrated, including through a series of meta-analyses (Petrocchi et al., 2024), to have clinical efficacy across very many mental health conditions (i.e. Craig et al., 2020; Millard et al., 2023), and there are few areas in which CFT has not been researched.”
Participants' evaluation of an internet-based group compassion-focused therapy program for young people in Sweden
Vestin, M., Jokinen, J., Blomqvist, I., & Dennhag, I. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1548320 · Cited by 2
The COMFORT Trial: A Randomised Control Trial Comparing Group‐Based COM passion‐ FO cused Therapy Techniques and Breathing Pattern R e T raining With Treatment as Usual on the Psychological Functioning of Patients Diagnosed With Cancer Recurrence
Lynch, S., Pender, R., Ingram, C., Finnerty, C., Lowry, D., O’Meara, Y., & Brennan, D. J. (2025) · Cancer Medicine · doi:10.1002/cam4.71047 · Cited by 2
“Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) is a holistic and integrative psychological approach that aims to enhance patients' emotional regulation system and tolerate distress by practicing compassion [22].”
A qualitative evaluation of a compassion-focused therapy group intervention for UK healthcare staff at an acute hospital trust
Rammou, A., Allan, S. M., Dean-Tozer, M., & Baker, J. (2025) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0333582 · Cited by 2
“The CFT group was perceived as acceptable for NHS staff who reported pervasive self-criticism, regardless of their underlying mental health difficulties, in line with previous research [29].”
Intergenerational Trauma: Conceptual Frameworks, Mechanisms of Transmission, Impacts and Intervention Approaches
Karaburun, M. (2025) · Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry · doi:10.18863/pgy.1694859 · Cited by 3
A compassion-focussed group intervention for compulsive sexual behaviours: an exploratory study
Yates, M., Hampson, C., Langmans, T., Irons, C., & McCormack, C. F. (2026) · Sexual & Relationship Therapy · doi:10.1080/14681994.2026.2614638 · Cited by 2
A Compassion-Focused Online Single-Session Intervention to Reduce Academic Stress in University Students: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Wehlage, C., Zivanovic, S., Koechlin, H., Schicktanz, N. S., Bolt, O. C., & Bentz, D. (2026) · JMIR Research Protocols · doi:10.2196/83850 · Cited by 2
“Empirical evidence shows that CFT can reduce negative mental health outcomes such as depression and self-critical thinking, while promoting greater self-compassion and compassion toward others [17-19].”
The Use and Outcomes of Compassion‐Focused Group Interventions With Children and Adolescent Clinical Populations: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis
Roberts, G., Parish, N., & Samuel, V. M. (2026) · Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.70259 · Cited by 3
“The current evidence base suggests that groups are a common form of compassion-focused intervention delivery (Millard et al. 2023; Craig et al. 2020; Perkins et al. 2023).”
Influential
Mapping the Buddhist Mind: A Scoping Review of Mental Factors and Their Therapeutic Potential in Mental Health
Boxer, A., Shawyer, F., Coghlan, I., & Meadows, G. N. (2026) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-026-02791-0 · Cited by 2
Employee Support During COVID-19 Using Compassionate Mind Training
Rose, A., Tupper, M., & Irons, C. (2023) · OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2301015 · Cited by 2
Effect of Compassion-focused Therapy on Depression, anxiety, Stress, and Quality of Life in Patients With Cancer: A Clinical Trial
Mirzakhani, M., Gharraee, B., Tajrishi, K. Z., Khanjani, S., Noorbala, A. A., & Nodehi, S. R. S. (2023) · Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.32598/ijpcp.29.2.4462.1 · Cited by 3
A Mixed-Method Mindful Self-Compassion Art Therapy Postpilot Program Evaluation Study: Metaphors and Media to Increase Adults’ Acquisition of MSC Program Benefits (Étude d’évaluation post-pilote d’un programme d’art-thérapie d’auto-compassion à méthodes mixtes : métaphores et médias pour accroître l’acquisition des avantages du programme MSC pour les adultes)
Miller, M. (2024) · Canadian Journal of Art Therapy · doi:10.1080/26907240.2024.2408864 · Cited by 2
From Victims To Perpetrators: A Prospective Mediation Study of How Child Abuse and Neglect Influence Cyber Aggression Via Self-Compassion and Gratitude
Zhang, X., Li, R., Liu, L., Zhou, X., Yu, Q., & Wang, W. (2025) · Journal of Family Violence · doi:10.1007/s10896-025-00963-5 · Cited by 2
Terapia focada na compaixão online para a perturbação de ansiedade social na adolescência (CFT@TeenSAD)
Figueiredo, D. V., Ganho-Ávila, A., Miguel, R. R., Paulo, M., Nobre-Lima, L., Salvador, M. D. C., Rijo, D., & Vagos, P. (2021) · Psychologica · doi:10.14195/1647-8606_64-2_4 · Cited by 2
Living Well with Illness: Evaluation of a Transdiagnostic Compassion-Focused Therapy Group for Long-Term Health Conditions
Snodgrass, R., Carnell, J., & Chapman, T. (2022) · OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2203035 · Cited by 3
Effectiveness of Compassion-based Treatment in Depression, Anxiety, and Aggression of Emergency Medical Workers with Covid-19
Soltani Delgosha, M., Vaziri, S., Shahabizadeh, F., Ahi, Q., & Mansouri, A. (2023) · Avicenna Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Care · doi:10.32592/ajnmc.31.2.85 · Cited by 3
A randomized controlled trial of cognitive analytic versus compassion-focused therapy for PTSD in Iran-Iraq War Veterans.
Moeini, F. R., Goodarzi, N., Dabbaghi, P., Rahnejat, A. M., & Ghasemzadeh, M. R. (2024) · Journal of Military Veteran and Family Health · doi:10.3138/jmvfh-2023-0027 · Cited by 1
A Service Based Evaluation of Compassion Focused Group Therapy Within a Community Mental Health Team Setting
Dafters, B., Mackintosh, S., & Irons, C. (2022) · OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2204048 · Cited by 1
Comparing the Effectiveness of Compassion Focused Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on the Anxiety of Infertile Women
Heidari, F., Ahadi, H., & Tajeri, B. (2023) · doi:10.61838/kman.aftj.4.2.14 · Cited by 2
Developing a Compassion Focused Supervision Model for Senior Leaders in Education
Heriot-Maitland, C., & Taylor, J. (2024) · OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2402033 · Cited by 1
Multicultural Findings and Considerations from Brief Interventions
Saleemi, S., Zare, M., Williams, M. T., & Pinciotti, C. M. (2024) · CBT: science into practice · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-60746-2_17 · Cited by 1
A Systematic Review of Momentary Social Predictors of Positive Psychosis Experiences
Irwin, L., Udachina, A., Bell, T., Carter, L., Handerer, F., & Berry, K. (2024) · Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.3030 · Cited by 3
The effectiveness of group compassion-focused therapy on panic symptoms, self- criticism, and emotion processing in panic patients
Sarafraz, M., Zamanian, Z., & Shekoohi, M. (2022) · International Journal of Psychology · doi:10.61186/ijpb.16.2.287 · Cited by 1
Compassion-Focused Therapy Groups in Secondary Care Adult Mental Health Services: A Service Evaluation
Vivolo, M., Ardeman, G., & Ford, C. (2025) · International Journal of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy · doi:10.1007/s41811-025-00230-x · Cited by 1
“The inclusion of service users’ feedback and experiences makes this service evaluation unique in its contribution to the current literature on CFT interventions, which has historically focussed on treatment outcomes (Craig et al., 2020; Leaviss and Uttley, 2015).”
Making Cervical Screening More Accessible: A Compassion-Focused Self-Help Intervention for Survivors of Sexual Assault
Smallwood, J., Gibson, S., Zelin, J., Langdon, D. W., & Vosper, J. (2025) · Journal of Patient Experience · doi:10.1177/23743735251343581 · Cited by 1
“15 It is therefore appropriate for survivors of sexual assault.”
Psychological approaches in understanding and treating voice disorders: a primer for compassion focused therapy (CFT)
Aldridge‐Waddon, L., & Russell, L. (2025) · Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology · doi:10.1080/14015439.2025.2556741 · Cited by 2
Compassion-focused therapy enhances outcomes of PTSD pharmacotherapy: A randomized controlled trial
Gonabadi-Nezhad, L., Moeini, F. R., Moghaddam, S. G. R., Golmohamadi, O., Nazemi, M., Khojastehmottaghi, M., & Roostaee, M. (2025) · Military Psychology · doi:10.1080/08995605.2025.2561313 · Cited by 1
“Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) might be a treatment alternative, specifically designed to foster self-compassion while addressing shame, self-criticism, and trauma-related distress – key drivers of PTSD symptomatology (Craig et al., 2020; Gilbert et al., 2014).”
Influential
Perinatal compassion focused therapy for mothers with mental health difficulties: a study protocol for a multisite and mixed methods feasibility and acceptability study
Millard-Brewer, L. A., Smith, D. M., Wan, M. W., & Wittkowski, A. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1681673 · Cited by 1
Compassion-focused group therapy improves depression, emotional eating, self-criticism and shame in people living with severe obesity: A single-centre, examiner-blind randomized controlled trial
Hynes, M., Finucane, F. M., Collins, C., O’Brien, T., McAnena, O., O'Shea, G. E., Pilch, M., & McGuire, B. E. (2026) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0342744 · Cited by 1
“…of treatment effects, a meta-analysis of compassion-based interventions found that treatments not only produced significant moderate improvements in compassion ( d = .55) but also significantly reduced symptoms of depression ( d = .64), anxiety ( d = .49) and psychological distress ( d = .47) [33].”
Dismantling the mechanism of VR self-compassion training: A two-session controlled trial with active controls
Xia, H., Coundouris, S. P., Elliott, T. C., Baghaei, N., Oestreich, L., Greig, L., Henry, J. D., & Kirby, J. N. (2026) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2026.105102 · Cited by 2
Compassion-based positive psychology group intervention (CB-PPGI) for individuals with personality disorders awaiting intensive treatment: a mixed-methods study of preliminary outcomes and acceptability
Hulskotte, A., Franken, K., Huijbregts, K., ten Klooster, P. M., Westerhof, G. J., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1843894 · Cited by 1
Effects of Cognitive Self-Compassion with an Emphasis on Poetry Therapy on the Psychological Well-Being and Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Women
Beiranvand, M., Rezaei, F., Sahraei, G. H., & Sepahvand, F. (2021) · International Journal of Psychology (IPA) · doi:10.66224/ijpb.15.2.271 · Cited by 1
“Strengthening Myself Occurs by Caring for Myself”: Self-Perceptions and Experiences of Group Compassion-Based Therapy for Female Survivors of Intimate Partner and Gender-Based Violence
Ripoll‐Núñez, K., & Naismith, I. (2022) · Partner Abuse · doi:10.1891/pa-2021-0037 · Cited by 1
Community-based compassion-focussed therapy for adults with an intellectual disability: a literature review
Roberts, B. (2023) · Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities · doi:10.1108/amhid-09-2022-0035 · Cited by 1
Comparing the Effectiveness of Two Group Therapy Methods based on Compassion and Mindfulness on the Psychological Capital of Colon Cancer Patients with Ostomy.
Esmaeili, R., Aliakbari¬dehkordi, M., & pour, A. R. (2024) · Journal of Health and Care · doi:10.61186/jhc.25.4.346 · Cited by 1
Resilience first aid: Primary prevention through a strength-based peer support programme
Rossouw, J. G., & Ruberto, M. (2025) · Journal of Applied Neurosciences · doi:10.4102/jan.v4i1.17 · Cited by 1
“Compassion focused therapy aligns with RFA’s proactive resilience-building approach by fostering emotional regulation, empathy and self-care, complementing its neuroscience-based peer support framework (Craig et al., 2020; Gilbert, 2009).”
Using a short‐term risk assessment and compassion focused staff support groups to reduce restrictive intervention use in a secure mental health service
Lawrence, D., Stubbings, D. R., & Watt, A. A. (2025) · British Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjc.70004 · Cited by 1
“CFT has been found to be effective for improving emotional regulation and reducing distress in both clinical samples (Craig et al., 2020), as well as for people in the general population (Irons & Heriot-Maitland, 2021).”
A Needs Assessment of Older Hispanics in Omaha, Nebraska
DiMartino, D. R. (1979) · DigitalCommons@UNO · Cited by 1
A Mixed Methods Evaluation of a Compassionate Mind Training Group Intervention for Adults in a Primary Mental Health Service.
Sodimu, S., Bird, R., Bailey, A., & O'hAnrachtaigh, E. (2026) · Counselling and Psychotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/capr.70150
“…helpful for individuals with a range of mental health difficulties including depression, personality disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, social anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder over other treatments in reducing feelings of self-criticism (Craig et al. 2020; Leaviss and Uttley 2015).”
Trajectories of Maternal and Paternal Internalizing Symptoms from Pregnancy to 2 Years Postpartum: Identifying Modifiable Risk and Protective Factors
Laifer, L. M., Ramsdell, E. L., Stasik-O’Brien, S. M., Martin, R. C. B., & Brock, R. L. (2024) · Depression and Anxiety · doi:10.1155/2024/5164261
“Interventions directly targeting self-compassion have emerged in recent years, including Compassion-Focused Therapy [50] and the Mindful Self-Compassion Program [51].”
Compassion
Matos, M., & Pereira, M. (2021) · Psychologica · doi:10.14195/1647-8606_64-2_0
Compassionate care for people who self-harm: principles, tools and techniques
Rayner, G., & Wright, K. M. (2022) · Mental Health Practice · doi:10.7748/mhp.2022.e1631
Compassionate Mind Training Group Programme: Implementation and Evaluation within an NHS Physical Health & Rehabilitation Psychology Service
Moran, C., Shaw, H., Black, S., & Brewster, K. (2023) · OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2301006
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMPASSION-BASED TREATMENT ON BLOOD PRESSURE, HEART RATE, AND BODY MASS INDEX OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WORKERS WITH COVID-19
Soltani, M., Vaziri, S., Shahabizadeh, F., Ahi, G., & Mansouri, A. (2022) · Nursing and Midwifery Journal · doi:10.52547/unmf.20.5.5
Learning from Covid-19; lessons for healthcare staff wellbeing
McBride, L., Dempsey, C., & Corrigan, J. (2023) · Clinical Psychology Forum · doi:10.53841/bpscpf.2023.1.362.48
Kind minds: using the ‘compassionate kitbag’ in a compassion focused therapy group for adults with intellectual disabilities
Busfield, A., Peters, C., & McKenzie, K. (2023) · Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities · doi:10.1108/amhid-07-2023-0024
فعالية برنامج إرشادي قائم على الشفقة بالذات في تحسين مستوى الرفاهية النفسية لدى أمهات الأطفال ذوي الإعاقة البصرية
المكاوي, م. ر. إ., & السعود, ش. م. ا. أ. (2023) · مجلة كلية التربية جامعة بنها · doi:10.21608/jfeb.2023.241562.1770
The Effectiveness of Training the Components of Compassion-Focused Therapy on Memory, Anxiety, and Sleep Quality in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Didehban, E., Ayoubi, S., Tabesh, H., Mohammad‐Zadeh, M., Saleh, L. A., & Asgharipour, N. (2024) · Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.5812/ijpbs-138912
Comparing the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy and treatment focused on compassion therapy on the resilience of women on the verge of divorce
Ghahremani, M., Khalatbari, J., & Taghvaei, D. (2022) · doi:10.61838/kman.aftj.3.3.27
“Seeing Myself Through Someone Else’s Eyes”: Embodying the Perfect Nurturer in Compassion Focused Therapy
Hackley, J., Dixon, A., Royle, C., Moss, C., Brown, R. J., & Bell, T. (2024) · OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2401021
LUTO EM CUIDADORES FAMILIARES DE PESSOAS COM DEMÊNCIA DE ALZHEIMER
Brito, L., Leite, Â. M. T., & Pereira, M. G. (2024) · Editora Artemis eBooks · doi:10.37572/edart_30072416115
Humanidades e Ciências Sociais: Perspectivas Teóricas, Metodológicas e de Investigação V
Beltrán, L. F. G. (2024) · Editora Artemis eBooks · doi:10.37572/edart_300724161
LUTO EM CUIDADORES FAMILIARES DE PESSOAS COM DEMÊNCIA DE ALZHEIMER
Brito, L., Leite, Â. M. T., & Pereira, M. G. (2024) · Editora Artemis eBooks · doi:10.37572/edart_31072416115
Momentary displays of compassion and the relationship between psychosis, mood and risk incidents on inpatient wards: An experience sampling study
Irwin, L., Berry, K., Bell, T., Carter, L., & Udachina, A. (2024) · British Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjc.12496
Effects of Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Compassion-Focused Therapy on Interpersonal-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Latinx Population: An Experimental Single-Case Study
Bernal, M., Acuña-Rojas, D. C., Márquez-Barraquer, V., Palacios, J., Naismith, I., & Muñoz-Martínez, A. (2025) · Journal of Aggression Maltreatment & Trauma · doi:10.1080/10926771.2025.2453595
Compassion-Focused Therapy und Metta-basierte Therapie: Ein systematisches Review
Kreis, M., Arens, E. A., Hofmann, S. G., & Stangier, U. (2025) · Verhaltenstherapie · doi:10.1159/000542737 · Cited by 1
Christians Have More Self-Compassion Than Atheists—But Also More Grandiose (Not Fragile) Narcissism
Magee, M. W. (2025) · Pastoral Psychology · doi:10.1007/s11089-025-01239-x
The Self–Other Imbalance Hypothesis of Autism: An Empirical Investigation
Galvin, J. (2025) · Autism in Adulthood · doi:10.1177/25739581251370469
“78 79-81 Despite its effectiveness in non-autistic populations, researchers have yet to examine the potential for CFT to reduce mental health symptoms in autistic individuals.”
A pilot feasibility and acceptability study of an online compassion-focused group therapy intervention to treat comorbid eating disorders and PTSD symptoms
Gnatt, I., Mackelprang, J. L., Phillipou, A., & Nedeljkovic, M. (2025) · Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science · doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2025.100946
Implementation and Potential Benefits of Compassion Focused Therapy to Adolescent Mental Health: A Scoping Review
Malazarte, N. (2025) · Psychology and Education A Multidisciplinary Journal · doi:10.70838/pemj.470508
Developing a compassion-focussed therapy-based intervention (CFTi) for women in prison with prolific self-harm behaviour
Tomlinson, L., & Mahoney, A. (2025) · Journal of Forensic Practice · doi:10.1108/jfp-05-2025-0051
Umgang mit Selbstkritik und Schamerleben in der Psychotherapie
Stierle, C. M. G. (2025) · PSYCH up2date · doi:10.1055/a-2554-1898
Postpartum Depression from the Perspective of Third-Wave Psychotherapies
Hamarat, H., Fidantek, H., Özdem, M., & Ertürk, İ. Ş. (2025) · Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry · doi:10.18863/pgy.1636688
“…found that it leads to clinical improvements in conditions such as major depression, anxiety, psychosis, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, post - traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, and personality disorders (Beaumont and Hollins - Martin 2015, Leaviss and Uttley 2015, Craig et al. 2020).”
A preliminary evaluation of a group compassion-focused intervention for individuals affected by perinatal loss
Hunter, R., Pilling, A., Warren, H., Fox, K., & McCormack, M. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1642423
“A growing body of evidence indicates that CFT may be helpful for treating a wide range of mental health conditions (32).”
Applications of compassion-focused therapy in forensic settings: the development of forensic-CFT
Taylor, J. (2025) · Journal of Forensic Practice · doi:10.1108/jfp-06-2025-0057
Developing a multidimensional scale of healing tourism experiences based on a mixed methods approach
Xie, J., Li, H., Chen, Z., Wang, H., & Hua, H. (2026) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-34286-8 · Cited by 2
Introduction to Compassion Focused Therapy
Kotera, Y., Beaumont, J., Colman, R. D., Rushforth, A., & Asano, K. (2026) · Advances in mental health and addiction · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-12438-8_1
Future Directions and Recommendations
Kotera, Y., Beaumont, J., Colman, R. D., Rushforth, A., & Asano, K. (2026) · Advances in mental health and addiction · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-12438-8_10
Evaluation of a group compassion-based program for perceived social isolation and depression in family caregivers of patients with multiple sclerosis: study protocol for an open-label randomized controlled trial
Nabi, F., Yousefi, H., Babaee, S., & Shaygannejad, V. (2026) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-026-09547-0
“We chose this timing frame because the strongest effects in previous interventions have been associated with programs with durations over 12 h [46].”
Preliminary Evaluation of a Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Group for Female Acute Inpatients
Pipkin, A., Rodriguez, L., Wambeek, L., & Dickens, A. (2026) · The Journal for Specialists in Group Work · doi:10.1080/01933922.2026.2647738
“The accessibility and acceptability of compassion-focused therapy for inpatients and prior research highlighting that compas-sion-focused group programs in community settings can improve PTSD symptoms (Craig et al., 2020), elements were chosen to be integrated.”
Participant experiences of a compassion-focussed group intervention for compulsive sexual behaviours
Yates, M., Hampson, C., Langmans, T., & McCormack, C. F. (2026) · Sexual & Relationship Therapy · doi:10.1080/14681994.2026.2639314
Adapting compassionate mind training into guided self‐help for parents of autistic children
Kemp, F. G., Hudson, M., Schroder, T. A., & Gale, C. (2026) · Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice · doi:10.1111/papt.70060 · Cited by 1
“…the vast majority of CFT randomised controlled trials are facilitated as group interventions rather than guided and unguided self-help, although there is evidence that brief, self-help compassion interventions can show promise when used within complex clinical populations (Craig et al., 2020).”
The moderating and mediating effects of mindful compassion with body-mind-spirit therapy using a blended approach of face-to-face with online for breast cancer patients' depression during COVID-19: A randomized controlled trial
Hsiao, F., Lo, C., Kuo, W., Hsieh, C., & Huang, C. (2026) · Internet Interventions · doi:10.1016/j.invent.2026.100947
“Previous studies have provided evidence of the effects of mindfulness and compassion training programs on psychosocial outcomes (Austin et al., 2021; Craig et al., 2020; Fan et al., 2023; Ferrari et al., 2019).”
A Theoretical Framework and Model for Standardizing Yoga Interventions in Healthcare – MOSI
Wahlström, M., Krutzén, P., Krutzén, J., & Hägglund, E. (2026) · Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health · doi:10.1177/27536130261446906
Healing through self-kindness: Efficacy of compassion-based intervention in enhancing self-esteem, reducing rumination, and alleviating loneliness in primiparous women with postpartum depression
Heydari, S., & Bozorgi, Z. D. (2026) · Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1177/13591053261442607
A Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Compassionate Mind Training with Versus Without Mindfulness Training Among Chinese College Students
Guo, M., Zhang, X., Liu, A., Wang, P., Gu, L., Zhang, S., Jia, O., & Kirby, J. N. (2026) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-026-02859-x
“…meta-analyses on CFT interventions — one in clinical and one in non-clinical populations — indicate that CFT achieves a medium effect size on most of negative and positive mental health variables compared to the control group (Hedges’ g , 0.50) (Craig et al., 2020; Petroc-chi et al., 2024).”
Influential
Revue de la portée sur l’état des connaissances sur la thérapie fondée sur la compassion pour les symptômes anxieux et dépressifs
Morasse-Bégis, M., Trottier-Duclos, F., & Ngô, T.-L. (2026) · L Encéphale · doi:10.1016/j.encep.2026.02.017
A Compassionate Mind: A Qualitative Evaluation of Compassion Focused Group Therapy for Complex Interpersonal Trauma
Tainsh, G., & Baughan, K. (2026) · OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2602020
Healing through compassion: a bibliometric analysis of the evolution of compassion-focused therapy
Fernandez, J. A., & Taha, M. (2026) · Clinical Psychologist · doi:10.1080/13284207.2026.2679448
Group-based compassionate mind training for low mood and anxiety in the menopause transition: a feasibility randomized controlled trial
Saidel, S., Robinson, K., Donovan, H., Evans, R., Khatwa, M., & Spector, A. E. (2026) · Menopause The Journal of The North American Menopause Society · doi:10.1097/gme.0000000000002826
Selbstmitgefühl als wichtiger Resilienzfaktor im Umgang mit Schmerz
Guth, A. (2026) · rheuma plus · doi:10.1007/s12688-026-00993-x
Compassion focused therapy for psychosis: Group intervention within secure inpatient services
Smyth, E., & Johnson, S. J. (2026) · Forensic Update · doi:10.53841/bpsfu.2026.1.152.21
Mitgefühl in der Psychotherapie
Aguilar‐Raab, C. (2026) · Die Psychotherapie · doi:10.1007/s00278-026-00868-8
Habit-formation strategies enhance long-term outcomes of a self-compassionate touch micropractice: a randomized controlled trial
Susman, E. S., Chen, S., Keltner, D. J., & Harvey, A. G. (2026) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-026-63457-4
Women and their families’ experiences of psychosocial interventions for perinatal mental health: A systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies
Ghráda, Á. N., Larkin, F., Tothová, K., & Dempsey, M. (2026) · Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1177/13591053261487118
Healing the Heart: Attachment, Intimacy, and Rebuilding Emotional Safety
Powell, A. (2026) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-37725-8_6

Authors: Craig, C., Hiskey, S., & Spector, A.
Affiliations: Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
Oaks Hospital (GB)
University College London (GB)
Corresponding author: Craig, Catriona
ORCID: Craig, Catriona
Spector, Aimee
Venue: Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Published: 2020-04-02
Volume: 20
Issue: 4
Pages: 385-400
ISSN: 1473-7175 (ISSN-L)
1744-8360
DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2020.1746184
OpenAlex: W3011072785
Cited by: 201
References: 58
Citations by year: 2026: 29 · 2025: 36 · 2024: 37 · 2023: 36 · 2022: 35 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 3
FWCI: 1.92
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
discovery.ucl.ac.uk
Locations: Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
Keywords: compassion-focused therapy, treatment effectiveness, acceptability, transdiagnostic treatment, group therapy, mental illness, evidence-based practice, healthcare resource allocation
MeSH terms: Empathy, Humans, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Psychotherapy, Outcome Assessment, Health Care

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

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

Abstract

Overview

Integrity signals

Verification

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Self-check

Citations

Cites

Cited by

Related

Metadata

Record

About these checks