Compassion Focused Group Therapy for University Counseling Centers: A Clinician’s Guide

Compassion focused therapy (CFT) articulates an approach that faces suffering head-on to understand, alleviate, and prevent suffering in ourselves and in others. Compassion Focused Group Therapy for University Counseling Centers is a one-of-a-kind 12-session manual for conducting compassion focused group therapy on university campuses with students presenting a diverse set of complex mental health concerns.

Beginning with suggested readings designed to enrich understanding of the principles covered, each module presents psychoeducation interventions, engaging intrapersonal and interpersonal exercises, and process-oriented instructions. Modules can be followed session-by-session or adapted according to the needs of the group. Eye-catching handouts are included at the end of the modules to help leaders provide visual representation of the themes discussed in each session.

This manual is designed to be used by licensed clinicians and should be used in conjunction with the manual’s companion Compassion Focused Therapy Participant Workbook which provides clients with summaries of each session, handouts, and key exercises.

Kara Cattani is a clinical professor and director of Student Development Services at Brigham Young University. She divides her time between administrative work, clinical practice, training of graduate students, consulting, and clinical research.

Derek Griner is a practicing board-certified counseling psychologist with significant CFT experience. His research focuses on diversity issues for which he received APA’s Division 17 award for excellence in scholarship.

David M. Erekson is a board-certified psychologist and an associate clinical professor at Brigham Young University. A dedicated scientist-practitioner, he has an active clinical practice and a psychotherapy research lab.

Gary M. Burlingame has contributed over 75 books, manuals, and chapters and 150 articles on effective small group treatments and is president-elect of the American Group Psychotherapy Association.

Mark E. Beecher is a board-certified counseling psychologist who has practiced in a college counseling center for over 20 years. His practice and research interests include individual/group psychotherapy, CFT, and multicultural competence.

Cameron T. Alldredge is completing his doctoral internship in a university counseling center. As an emerging psychologist, he is passionate about teaching, research, and clinical practice.