Journal of Counseling Research

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Aim: Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) is developed for clients who experience high levels of shame and self-criticism. CFT emphasizes the centrality of our affiliative system in reducing threat-based processing by allowing us to feel cared for and able to offer care to both ourselves and others. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effectiveness of CFT on shame and feeling of guilt among women with sexual abuse experience in childhood. Methods: The statistical population consisted of all women with Sexual Abuse experience in Childhood who had referred to counseling centers in Ahvaz. The research sample consisted of 3 women referred to counseling centers that were selected according to the results of the PTSD Checklist (Weathers, 1993) with cutoff point of 50 and with purposeful sampling method. In this research, a single-case experimental design, type of non-concurrent multiple baseline designs was used. To evaluate the shame and feeling of guilt, the state shame and guilt scale (SSGS) were used. The protocol of CFT was carried out in three phases of basic lines, intervention of 8 weekly sessions, and two months follow-up. Findings: The findings indicated that the subjects in the shame treatment phase experienced 31.20% improvement and in the guilt phase experienced  28.68% improvement. The effectiveness was maintained during the 2-month follow-up. The change index was indicative of meaningful changes. Conclusion: Therefore, the research findings illustrated that CFT is effective in decreasing of shame and feeling of guilt of women with sexual abuse experience in childhood, through decreasing reducing threat-based processing and strengthening the soothing system through the cultivation of compassion.

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Aim: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of self-compassion-based mindfulness training on self-criticism, shame, and perceived stigma among substance-dependent individuals. Methods: The research employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test measures and a control group. The statistical population comprised all substance-dependent patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment who attended the Soroush Addiction Treatment Center in Shahrood in 2024. From this population, 32 individuals were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 16) and a control group (n = 16). Participants completed the Self-Criticism Levels Scale (Gilbert et al., 2004), the External Shame Scale (Goss et al., 1994), and the Substance Use Stigma Scale (Loma et al., 2010) in both pre-test and post-test stages. The experimental group received eight 90-minute sessions of mindfulness training based on self-compassion, conducted weekly. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Findings: The results showed significant differences between the two groups. Mindfulness training based on self-compassion significantly reduced self-criticism components, including self-inadequacy (F = 21.22, p = .001), self-loathing (F = 23.24, p = .001), and self-confidence (F = 31.21, p = .001); shame components, including feelings of inferiority (F = 30.31, p = .001), feelings of emptiness (F = 14.51, p = .001), and shame for making mistakes (F = 8.70, p = .007); as well as the internal stigma variable (F = 9.11, p = .006) among substance-dependent participants. Conclusion: The findings suggest that addiction specialists can utilize mindfulness training based on self-compassion to effectively reduce self-criticism, alleviate shame, and decrease perceived stigma among individuals with substance dependence.