Self-Criticism Feasibility Study

A Novel Intervention for Self-criticism in a Primary Care Psychological Therapies Service: Feasibility Study

This uncontrolled pilot seeks to develop a novel intervention based on Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), that reduces self-criticism and improves psychological wellbeing. The researchers aim to assess the the acceptability and feasibility of providing such an intervention within a primary mental health care service; and a preliminary indication of the the effectiveness of this intervention?

The intervention is based upon recent unpublished doctoral research that developed this novel treatment within students with high levels of self-criticism. This pilot study aims to adapt the intervention for an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service, a primary mental-health service in the UK.

Self-criticism is a transdiagnostic process across common mental-health disorders and is therefore, a potential target for psychological intervention. Clients at IAPT are likely to present with high levels of self-criticism. This pilot study may help develop an alternative evidence-based intervention that can be routinely offered within IAPT services.

The researchers aim to recruit 20 clients registered at Talking Therapies Southwark, experiencing a significant impact of self-criticism on their daily life, and requesting help for self-criticism. Clients that provide consent to participate in this study would receive 6 sessions of this intervention and a 2-month follow-up telephone session.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Written informed consent
2. Registered with and opt into the Southwark IAPT service, Talking Therapies Southwark
3. Score at least 10 on the WSAS questionnaire regarding the impact of self-criticism on their daily life
4. Requesting help for their self-criticism.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Not being sufficiently proficient in English to fully participate in the sessions with English-speaking therapists or process the written study materials for any reason.
2. Being unable to attend six sessions of assessment/treatment.
3. Presenting with high levels of risk requiring monitoring and assistance beyond the weekly intervention focusing on self-criticism.
4. Current serious mental health problem such as bipolar disorder, anorexia nervosa or a moderate / severe substance use disorder.
5. Cognitive impairment or psychomotor retardation of a degree that would prevent completion of the study treatment protocol with the individual. This would be based on a clinical judgement by potential referrers or by the clinician undertaking the screening assessment.
6. Currently experiencing a degree of life stress (e.g. recent bereavement) that is judged by the assessor to be likely to seriously adversely affect their ability to benefit from the intervention
7. New pharmacological interventions for psychological distress - i.e. a change of medication or dosage in the last 4 weeks.
8. Current participation in another clinical (talking therapy or drug) trial or another psychological intervention.