Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy and the Mindful Self Compassion program: Towards the 4th Generation Therapies?

Abstract

Compassion and, in particular, Self-Compassion are being studied and used more than ever as an ingredient in effective psychotherapy based on evidence. So much so that we could coin the term “4th Generation Therapies” to designate them, as new formulations that have been emerging beyond the protocols of mindfulness and acceptance-based clinical models. A growing research body shows how cultivating a compassionate mind can help relieve and prevent a variety of transdiagnostic psychological problems, including self-criticism, anxiety and shame. Just recently the specific Self-Compassion qualities and its clinical use have begun to receive more and more attention in the literature and research, and even specific protocols have been developed to grow it so consolidated as Mindful Self Compassion, MSC program. The aim of this article is to present how Self-Compassion can contribute to the psychotherapist (regardless of the psychotherapeutic model basis) in general and the MSC Protocol in particular, in his daily work with his clients.