‘Being kinder to myself ’: a prospective comparative study, exploring post-trauma therapy outcome measures, for two groups
of clients, receiving either Cognitive
Behaviour Therapy or Cognitive Behaviour
Therapy and Compassionate Mind Training

Beaumont, EA; Jenkins, P; Galpin, AJ

Abstract

Background/Aims/Objectives: This prospective, comparative outcome study was designed to contrast the
relative impact of differing therapeutic interventions for trauma victims, carried out by the same therapist.
Methods/Methodology: A non-random convenience sample (N=32) of participants, referred for therapy
following a traumatic incident, were randomly assigned to receive up to 12 sessions of either Cognitive
Behaviour Therapy (CBT), or CBT coupled with Compassionate Mind Training (CMT). A repeated
measures design was used and data was analysed using analysis of variance. Data was gathered pre-therapy
and post-therapy, using three self-report questionnaires (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; Impact of
Events Scale; the Self-Compassion Scale).
Results/Findings: Results supported two of the three original hypotheses. Participants in both conditions
experienced a highly statistically significant reduction in symptoms of anxiety, depression, avoidant
behaviour, intrusive thoughts and hyper-arousal symptoms post-therapy. Participants in the combined CBT
and CMT condition developed statistically significant higher self-compassion scores post-therapy than the
CBT-only group [F(1,30)=4.657, p≤.05]. There was no significant difference between treatment groups.
Discussion/Conclusions: The results suggest that CMT may be a useful addition to CBT for clients suffering
with trauma-related symptoms. In conclusion, high levels of self-compassion are linked to a decrease in anxiety
and depression and trauma-related symptoms.
Keywords: trauma; cognitive behaviour therapy; compassionate mind training; counselling psychology.

Citation

Therapy and Compassionate Mind Training. Review - British Psychological Society. Counselling Psychology Section, 27(1), 31-43

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2012
• Deposit Date: Jun 20, 2016
• Journal: Counselling Psychology Review
• Print ISSN: 0269-6975
• Publisher: The British Psychological Society
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 31-43
• Publisher URL: http://www.bps.org.uk/publications/member-network-publications/member-publications/counselling-psychology-review