Compassion-Based Therapy for Trauma, Shame & PTSD (1 CE)

Number of Credits: 1

This course is for: Clinical Psychologists, Counselors, and LMFTs

Course By: Rachel Schoor, Ph.D.

Content By: Au, T. M., Sauer-Zavala, S., King, M. W., Petrocchi, N., Barlow, D. H., & Litz, B. T. (2017). Compassion-based therapy for trauma-related shame and posttraumatic stress: Initial evaluation using a multiple baseline design. Behavior Therapy, 48(2), 207-221.

Course Description: Prior research indicates that feelings of shame play an important role in the development and maintenance of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Self-compassion interventions have been identified as a potential means to reduce shame associated with various psychological problems, but this approach has not been systematically evaluated for individuals who have experienced trauma.  The objective of this study was to develop a brief compassion focused intervention and to assess its efficacy for trauma related shame and PTSD symptoms using a multiple baseline experimental design.  Participants consisted of ten adults recruited from the community and who had been previously exposed to trauma, had heighted trauma related shame and PTSD symptoms. Participants completed weekly assessments during a two, four, or six-week baseline phase, during a six-week treatment phase, and at two and four weeks after the intervention was complete.  By the end of treatment most of the participants reported decreases in shame, self-blame, and PTSD symptom severity, as well as increases in self-compassion. These changes were also maintained at the two- and four-week follow-up.  Results suggest that the intervention may be useful either as a standalone treatment, or as a supplement to other treatments. 

Learning Objectives

• Identify 3 components of compassion-based therapy discussed in the study.
• List 3 strengths of the current study and consider the studies strengths and limitations in the context of future research in this area.
• Identify and evaluate 3 results presented by the authors.

Course Outline:

• Read and understand Compassion-based therapy for trauma-related shame and posttraumatic stress: Initial evaluation using a multiple baseline design
• Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives
• Consider the strengths and weaknesses of the study
• Work through the post-test questions; keep in mind that answer selections should be derived from the respective article
• Return to the referenced article for any missed questions and/or to better understand the relationships between compassion-based therapy, feelings of shame, and PTSD

Approvals: