WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY?
This study aims to develop and test the feasibility of a new therapy called Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). This therapy helps people manage distressing experiences by helping people to feel safe in relation to their experiences and to develop compassion towards themselves and others. In order to keep improving the help we can provide for people with distressing experiences, we need to keep improving our therapies by testing out new approaches. A good place to start in improving current therapies is to look at some of the approaches that people are finding helpful for other mental health difficulties, such as anxiety and depression. CFT is a promising new approach that has been successfully provided for people with a range of difficulties. It is also based in the most up-to-date knowledge and science about how the mind works (both normally and under stress).
If you participate, you will have some individual sessions of CFT with Dr Charlie Heriot-Maitland, who is one of the psychologists in the service. This therapy will last up to 26 sessions (about 6 months), which is the same as standard therapy (ie Cognitive Behaviour Therapy; CBT). Not only will you be receiving this new therapy, but you will also be helping us develop and improve it as we go along; i.e. helping us learn how to help others with similar difficulties in the future.
MORE INFORMATION
Clinical trial registration page: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02733575
Participant information sheet: open pdf in new tab
Information leaflet: open pdf in new tab