The development of the Compassion Focused Therapy Therapist Competence Rating Scale

Abstract

Objectives. Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) has shown promise as a treatment for a number of clinical presentations; however, existing studies have not adequately addressed issues of treatment fidelity. The aims of the present study were to identify initial candidate items that may be included in a CFT therapist competence rating scale and to develop the behavioural indicators to anchor these items.Design. The Delphi method was used to develop and operationalize the competencies required for inclusion in a CFT therapist competence rating scale over five rounds.Methods. Face-to-face meetings with two CFT experts were conducted in rounds one, two, and five, and these were used to define and operationalize the competencies. Nine other CFT experts were invited to complete online surveys in rounds two and four. An 80% consensus level was applied to the online surveys.Results. The resulting Compassion Focused Therapy Therapist Competence Rating Scale (CFT-TCRS) consisted of 23 competencies which were separated into 14 'CFT unique competencies' and nine 'Microskills'. There was high agreement about the included 'CFT unique competencies' and 'Microskills'; however, there were some differences in opinion about the specific content of some items.Conclusions. This is the first study that has attempted to reach consensus regarding the competencies and behavioural anchors for a CFT therapist competence rating scale. The next stage of development for the CFT-TCRS is to establish whether the scale can be reliably and validly used to evaluate CFT practice.

Effects of a Novel, Transdiagnostic, Hybrid Ecological Momentary Intervention for Improving Resilience in Youth (EMIcompass): Protocol for an Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The feasibility of the trial methodology will be assessed based on the following criteria: (1) successful recruitment of at least 96 participants during the study period; (2) assessment of inclusion criteria in 95% of potential participants after obtaining written consent; (3) successful randomization of at least 92 participants after completion of eligibility and baseline assessment; and (4) a retention rate of at least 85% for assessment of outcomes at least at one of the two time points at postintervention and 4-week follow-up. In addition, the following criteria will be used for establishing the feasibility of delivering the EMIcompass intervention, including its acceptability, intervention adherence, and intervention fidelity: (1) satisfaction with the EMIcompass intervention in general, ease of use, accessibility and comprehensiveness of various components of the intervention in a debriefing questionnaire [ 30 , 90 ], and the subjective quality of EMIcompass using the mobile application rating scale [ 91 ]; (2) compliance with, and adherence to, the EMIcompass intervention protocol based on a satisfactory level of session attendance, an adherence checklist covering all core components [ 29 , 30 , 92 ], and adherence to EMI tasks (ie, mean number of consolidating/interactive EMI tasks completed per week); and (3) fidelity to the EMIcompass intervention protocol based on independent ratings of a random selection of audio recordings of three face-to-face sessions, including fidelity to session protocol (ie, independent rating of core components delivered by trained psychologist), ability to model and embody the spirit of compassion, and the use of microskills in compassion-focused therapy assessed by the Compassion Focused Therapy-Therapist Competence Rating Scale [ 93 ].…”

“…(3) fidelity to the EMIcompass intervention protocol based on independent ratings of a random selection of audio recordings of three face-to-face sessions, including fidelity to session protocol (ie, independent rating of core components delivered by trained psychologist), ability to model and embody the spirit of compassion, and the use of microskills in compassion-focused therapy assessed by the Compassion Focused Therapy-Therapist Competence Rating Scale [93].…”

A case series study of compassion‐focused therapy for distressing experiences in psychosis

“…All are rated on a five-point scale from 0 ('absent or inappropriate') to 4 ('skilful enactment'). The 21 adherence items relate to the key elements in the manual, which had been developed specifically for the current (psychosis) population, and the 23 competence items were taken from an existing scale that had been developed for generic CFT research, namely the Compassion Focused Therapy Therapist Rating Scale (CFT-TCRS; Horwood et al, 2019). The 23-item CFT-TCRS is comprised of 14 unique competencies (e.g., 'compassionate mind training' and 'multiple selves') and nine microskills (e.g., 'pacing' and 'mentalization').…”

The Effectiveness of Compassion-based Acceptance and Commitment Group Therapy on Adjustment and Happiness in Patients with Major Depression Disorder

“…Adjustment plays an important role in improving people's lives and health, and helps meeting environmental needs by increasing their ability to control impulses, emotions, or attitudes. If for any reason, the flow of adjustment is disrupted, maladaptive behaviors or behavioral disorders occur (Horwood, Allan, Goss, & Gilbert, 2020) and if adjustment increases, happiness as one of the most important human psychological needs and a positive emotion, a profound effect on the structure and It will have human physical, cognitive and psychological functions (Ludwigs, Henning, & Arends, 2019).…”