title: Psychotherapeutic benefits of compassion-focused therapy: an early systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) is a relatively novel form of psychotherapy that was developed for people who have mental health problems primarily linked to high shame and self-criticism. The aim of this early systematic review was to draw together the current research evidence of the effectiveness of CFT as a psychotherapeutic intervention, and to provide recommendations that may inform the development of further trials.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive search of electronic databases was undertaken to systematically identify literature relating to the effectiveness of CFT as a psychotherapeutic intervention. Reference lists of key journals were hand searched and contact with experts in the field was made to identify unpublished data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen studies were included in the review, including three randomized controlled studies. The findings from the included studies were, in the most part, favourable to CFT, and in particular seemed to be effective for people who were high in self-criticism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CFT shows promise as an intervention for mood disorders, particularly those high in self-criticism. However, more large-scale, high-quality trials are needed before it can be considered evidence-based practice. The review highlights issues from the current evidence that may be used to inform such trials.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield,UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leaviss
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield,UK.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Uttley
mesh_terms: D004645:Empathy; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012649:Self Concept; D012752:Shame; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: psychotherapy