A multi-method evaluation of a compassion-focused cognitive behavioural psychotherapy group for people who self-harm

Objective: This paper describes the content and multi-method evaluation of a compassion-focused cognitive behavioural psychotherapy (CBT) group for people who self-harm/injure. Method: Quantitative questionnaires and a qualitative focus group were used for the three participants. Reflective diary contents were analysed. Results: Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the questionnaires. These demonstrated positive reductions in the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores but no significant change in self-compassion scores. The Cognitions of Self-Injurious Behaviour Scale demonstrated some positive belief changes. Participants reported improved self-awareness, alternative coping and improved emotional regulation. All participants reported anger, anxiety and sadness in their diaries; one reported self-hatred, and another reported feeling dead and numb. Distraction was considered a useful strategy to avoid or delay self-harm. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used and identified six superordinate themes: 'The secret's out! Openness & Honesty', 'Care without fear: calm acceptance', 'Skills not Spills', 'We're all in it together', 'Compassion, not competition nor comparison' and 'Fear of flying solo'. Conclusion: Despite the small number of participants, the combination of compassion-focused therapy and CBT appears to hold future promise for further research on effectiveness.