Table 1.
Title, content of sessions, and home practices of the CFT program (experimental arm)
| Session number | Session title | Session content | Home practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Welcoming and creating a safe place Definition of compassion and personal goals |
• Introducing members of the group and therapists • Collective reflection on a safe place agreement for the group • Exercise: step in/me too • Exploration of what is (and what is not) compassion • Identification of personal objectives for the therapy • Short introducing to soothing rhythm breathing (SRB) |
Soothing rhythm breathing (SRB) |
| 2 | Compassion wisdom: the tricky brain and the social construction of self |
• SRB • Tricky brain problem • How and why we are different to other animals: our unique capacity for self-consciousness and self-judgment (“not our fault”) • We are only one version of the infinite possible versions of self • Understanding the influence of our social environment on our construction (“not our fault”) |
Soothing rhythm breathing (SRB) Identifying my own tricky brain loops |
| 3 | Compassion wisdom: three emotional regulation systems |
• SRB • Introducing the three circles model: threat, drive, and soothing • Evolutionary function of emotions |
Soothing rhythm breathing (SRB) Drawing my three circles and identifying triggers |
| 4 | Compassion wisdom: stigma and self-stigma |
• SRB • Introduction stigma and self-stigma • Understanding the path from public stigma to self-stigma (“not our fault”) through the social construction of self and the tricky brain • Consequences of self-stigma through the lens of the 3-circle model |
Soothing rhythm breathing (SRB) Filling the self-stigma model and tricky brain loops associated |
| 5 | Compassionate engagement: thinking, imagery, and body postures can influence our physiology |
• SRB • Introducing the mindfulness circle • Thoughts and imagination can impact our physiology: experiencing with attention, postures, tones of voice, SRB • Safe place imagery • Ideal compassionate other imagery |
Safe place imagery |
| 6 | Compassionate engagement: the compassionate self | • Experiencing with the compassionate self (postures, tone of voice, feelings of warmth, actions) |
Compassionate self-imagery |
| 7 | Compassionate courage: multiple selves | • Embodying the compassionate self to respond to the threat system thoughts and emotions |
Compassionate self-imagery |
| 8 | Compassionate courage: how to respond to the self-stigmatizing self |
• Exploration of self-stigma and self-critic: reasons to be and consequences • Using compassionate self to respond to self-stigma |
Compassionate self-imagery |
| 9 | Compassionate courage: dealing with difficult emotions |
• Understanding of shame and guilt • Responding to difficult emotions with compassion |
Embodying compassionate self in everyday life |
| 10 | Compassionate courage: compassionate assertiveness |
• Understanding the components of compassionate assertiveness compared to submissive and aggressive expression • Practicing compassionate assertiveness through role plays |
Compassionately asking something we need |
| 11 | Compassionate courage: cultivating the compassionate self |
• Writing a compassionate letter • Sharing of compassionate letters |
Compassionate letter |
| 12 | Continuing my journey with compassion |
• Reflection on the last 12 weeks • Building my personal compassionate tool bag • Plans for continuing practicing compassion • Gratefulness and compassion wish |