Overcoming shame and aloneness: Emotion-focused group therapy for self-criticism

Emotion-focused group therapy is a relatively new therapy format that utilizes individual emotion-focused therapy (EFT) work in a group setting to evoke and transform painful emotions, both directly and vicariously. Currently, EFT groups are being run at sites in Canada, Australia, Spain, Norway and the United States, and interest appears to be growing in offering these groups. Existing literature shows reductions in disordered eating and depression symptoms among EFT group participants with eating disorders; however, there is a dearth of data on participants with mood disorders. Participants in the current study were university students presenting to counseling with symptoms of depression or anxiety who identified significant self-critical processes, and who were referred to a weekly EFT therapy group. Over the course of group, participants reported statistically and clinically significant decreases in depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as significant improvements in emotion regulation. These results contribute to the emerging literature on group-based EFT, and implications of these results on group provision are discussed. Overall, this study suggests that emotion-focused group therapy is a promising treatment for symptoms of anxiety and depression, and is worthy of further study. Experiential therapies, which work to transform painful emotions underlying symptoms, are typically individual treatments, and group therapy can provide increased access to this type of care.