ABSTRACT
Group psychotherapy is an effective form of treatment for a variety of mental health concerns that has been shown to be at least as effective as individual psychotherapy. In this chapter, we discuss compassion focused therapy (CFT) as a group treatment. We begin by delineating three specific aspects of group psychotherapy that impact client outcomes. These factors include 1) positive bond, or the cohesion among group members, 2) positive work, or common goals of treatment among group members, and 3) negative relationships, resistances, or ruptures among group members. We discuss ways in which CFT is an effective form of group psychotherapy and how the model can enhance positive bond and positive work, while decreasing negative relationships. We also outline and describe a 12-module, CFT-specific group psychotherapy protocol used within a university counselling centre and discuss ways this model can be adapted for a number of theme-specific groups.
