Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Commentary Regarding Wilson et al. (2018) “Effectiveness of ‘Self-Compassion’ Related Therapies: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” All Is Not as It Seems

  • COMMENTARY
  • Published:
Mindfulness Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This commentary paper reviews the recently made claims by Wilson et al. (Mindfulness, 2018) from their meta-analysis of what they call self-compassion therapies. They argue that a range of different therapy modalities can be classified as self-compassion therapies, including compassion-focused therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and mindfulness-based interventions. The results from their meta-analyses found that these self-compassion therapies were effective at increasing self-compassion and reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms. This meta-analysis also found that self-compassion-related therapies did not produce better outcomes than active control conditions. This indicates that such self-compassion therapies are unlikely to have any specific effect over and above the general benefits of any active treatment. We will indicate a number of reasons why this conclusion is not warranted. We first contextualise what is meant by compassion-focused therapies, and we then discuss four key concerns: (1) the heterogeneity and classification of the “self-compassion therapies”; (2) the measure used to assess self-compassion; (3) the comparison to the active control conditions; and (4) the inaccurate comments made about the Kirby et al. (Behavior Therapy, 2017b) meta-analysis. Although it is encouraging to see the increasing number of randomised controlled trials, and now meta-analyses of compassion-focused therapies, the conclusions made by Wilson et al. (Mindfulness, 2018) in their meta-analysis are misleading.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arimitsu, K. (2016). The effects of a program to enhance self-compassion in Japanese individuals: a randomized controlled pilot study. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 11, 559–571. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1152593.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, L., & Rimes, K. A. (2016). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for neuroticism (stress vulnerability): a pilot randomized study. Behavior Therapy, 47, 287–298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2015.12.005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • A-tjak, J. G., Davis, M. L., Morina, N., Powers, M. B., Smits, J. A., & Emmelkamp, P. M. (2015). A meta-analysis of the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy for clinically relevant mental and physical health problems. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 84, 30–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bateman, A., & Fonagy, P. (2008). 8-year follow-up of patients treated for borderline personality disorder: mentalization-based treatment versus treatment as usual. American Journal of Psychiatry, 165(5), 631–638.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beaumont, E., Durkin, M., McAndrew, S., & Martin, C. R. (2016). Using compassion focused therapy as an adjunct to trauma-focused CBT for fire service personnel suffering with trauma-related symptoms. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 9, e34. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1754470X16000209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bierhoff, H.-W. (2005). The psychology of compassion and prosocial behaviour. In P. Gilbert (Ed.), Compassion: conceptualisations, research and use in psychotherapy (pp. 148–167). New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bornemann, B., Kok, B. E., Böckler, A., & Singer, T. (2016). Helping from the heart: voluntary upregulation of heart rate variability predicts altruistic behavior. Biological Psychology, 119, 54–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2016.07.004.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, S. L., & Brown, R. M. (2015). Connecting prosocial behaviour to improved physical health: contributions from the neurobiology of parenting. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 55, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.04.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brüne, M., & Brüne-Cohrs, U. (2006). Theory of mind—evolution, ontogeny, brain mechanisms and psychopathology. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 30(4), 437–455.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carter, S. C., Bartel, I. B. A., & Porges, E. C. (2017). The roots of compassion: an evolutionary and neurobiological perspective. In E. Seppala, E. Simon-Thomas, S. Brown, M. Worline, C. D. Cameron, & J. Doty (Eds.), Oxford handbook of compassion science (pp. 173–188). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conway, C. C. & Slavich, G. M. (2017) Behavior genetics of prosocial behavior. In P. Gilbert (ed.) Compassion: Concepts, research and pplications (pp. 151–170). London: Routledge.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Cornish, M. A., & Wade, N. G. (2015). Working through past wrongdoing: examination of a self-forgiveness counselling intervention. Journal of Counselling Psychology, 62, 521–528. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000080.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cowan, C. S. M., Callaghan, B. L., Kan, J. M., & Richardson, R. (2016). The lasting impact of early-life adversity on individuals and their descendants: potential mechanisms and hope for intervention. Genes, Brain and Behavior, 15, 155–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crews, D. A., Stolz-Newton, M., & Grant, N. S. (2016). The use of yoga to build self-compassion as a healing method for survivors of sexual violence. Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 35(3), 139–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cuijpers, P., Cristea, I. A., Karyotaki, E., Reijnders, M., & Huibers, M. J. H. (2016). How effective are cognitive behavior therapies for major depression and anxiety disorders? A meta-analytic update of the evidence. World Psychiatry, 15, 245–258.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Dalai Lama. (1995). The power of compassion. India: Harper Collins.

  • Davidson, R. J. (2012). The neurobiology of compassion. In C. Germer & D. Siegel (Eds.), Wisdom and compassion in psychotherapy: deepening mindfulness in clinical practice (pp. 111–118). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Bruin, E. I., van der Zwan, J. E., & Bögels, S. M. (2016). A RCT comparing daily mindfulness meditations, biofeedback exercises, and daily physical exercise on attention control, executive functioning, mindful awareness, self-compassion, and worrying in stressed young adults. Mindfulness, 7, 1182–1192. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-0561-5.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Decety, J., Bartal, I. B.-A., Uzefovsky, F., & Knafo-Noam, A. (2016). Empathy as a driver of prosocial behaviour: highly conserved neurobehavioural mechanisms across species. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences, 371, 20150077. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2015.0077.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Dodds, S. E., Pace, T. W., Bell, M. L., et al. (2015). Feasibility of cognitively-based compassion training (CBCT) for breast cancer survivors: a randomized, wait list controlled pilot study. Support Care Cancer, 23, 3599–3608.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duarte, C., Pinto-Gouveia, J., & Stubbs, R. J. (2017). Compassionate attention and regulation of eating behaviour: a pilot study of a brief low-intensity intervention for binge eating. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 24, 1437–1447. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2094.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eisendrath, S. J., Gillung, E., Delucchi, K. L., Segal, Z. V., Nelson, J. C., McInnes, L. A., et al. (2016). A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for treatment resistant depression. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 85, 99–110. https://doi.org/10.1159/000442260.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ekman, P., & Ekman, E. (2017). Is global compassion achievable? In E. Seppala, E. Simon-Thomas, S. Brown, M. Worline, C. D. Cameron, & J. Doty (Eds.), Oxford handbook of compassion science (pp. 41–49). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Falsafi, N. (2016). A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness versus yoga: effects on depression and/or anxiety in college students. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 22, 483–497. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078390316663307.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Galante, J., Galante, I., Bekkers, M. J., & Gallacher, J. (2014). Effect of kindness-based meditation on health and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 82, 1101–1114. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037249.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P. (1989/2016). Human nature and suffering. London: Routledge.

  • Gilbert, P. (2000). Social mentalities: internal ‘social’ conflicts and the role of inner warmth and compassion in cognitive therapy. In P. Gilbert & K. G. Bailey (Eds.), Genes on the couch: explorations in evolutionary psychotherapy (pp. 118–150). Hove: Psychology Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P. (2005). Compassion and cruelty: a biopsychosocial approach. In P. Gilbert (Ed.), Compassion: conceptualisations, research and use in psychotherapy (pp. 3–74). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P. (2009). Developing a compassion focused approach in cognitive behavioural therapy. In G. Simos (Ed.), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, a Guide to the Practicing Clinician. Volume II. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P. (2010). Compassion focused therapy: the CBT distinctive features series. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P. (2014). The origins and nature of compassion focused therapy. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 53, 6–41. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12043.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P. (2015). Affiliative and prosocial motives and emotions in mental health. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 17, 381–389.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P. (Ed.). (2017a). Compassion: concepts, research and applications. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P. (2017b). Compassion as a social mentality: an evolutionary approach. In P. Gilbert (Ed.), Compassion: concepts, research and applications (pp. 31–68). London: Routledge.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P. (2018). Living like crazy. York: Annwyn House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert P. (2019). Explorations into the nature and function of compassion. Current Opinion in Psychology.

  • Gilbert, P., Catarino, F., Duarte, C., Matos, M., Kolts, R., Stubbs, J., Ceresatto, L., Duarte, J., Pinto-Gouveia, J., & Basran, J. (2017). The development of compassionate engagement and action scales for self and others. Journal of Compassionate Health Care, 4(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40639-017-0033-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P., & Choden. (2013). Mindful compassion. London: Constable & Robinson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P. & Mascaro, J. (2017). Compassion: fears, blocks, and resistances: an evolutionary investigation. In E. Seppala, E. Simon-Thomas, S. Brown, M. Worline, C. D. Cameron, & J. Doty (Eds.), Oxford handbook of compassion science (pp. 399–418). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P., McEwan, K., Matos, M., & Rivis, A. (2011). Fears of compassion: development of three self-report measures. Psychology and Psychotherapy, 84, 239–255. https://doi.org/10.1348/147608310X526511.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P., & Procter, S. (2006). Compassionate mind training for people with high shame and self-criticism: overview and pilot study of a group therapy approach. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 13, 353–379. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez-Hernandez, E., Romero, R., Campos, D., Burichka, D., Diego-Pedro, R., Baños, R., et al. (2018). Cognitively-based compassion training (CBCT) in breast cancer survivors: a randomized clinical trial study. Integrative cancer therapies, 17, 684–696.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Haslam, C., Jetten, J., Cruwys, T., Dingle, G. A., & Haslam, A. S. (2018). The new psychology of health: unlocking the social cure. London: Routledge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Hermanto, N., & Zuroff, D. C. (2016). The social mentality theory of self-compassion and self-reassurance: the interactive effect of care-seeking and caregiving. Journal of Social Psychology, 156(5), 523–535. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2015.1135779.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hermanto, N., Zuroff, D. C., Kopala-Sibley, D. C., Kelly, A. C., Matos, M., & Gilbert, P. (2016). Ability to receive compassion from others buffers the depressogenic effect of self-criticism: a cross-cultural multi-study analysis. Personality and Individual Differences, 98, 324–332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.04.055.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffart, A., Øktedalen, T., & Langkaas, T. F. (2015). Self-compassion influences PTSD symptoms in the process of change in traumafocused cognitive-behavioral therapies: a study of within-person processes. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 1273. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01273.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann, S. G., Grossman, P., & Hinton, D. E. (2011). Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: potential for psychological intervention. Clinical Psychology Review, 13, 1126–1132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2011.07.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, J. Y., & Bargh, J. A. (2014). The selfish goal: Autonomously operating motivational structures as the proximate cause of human judgment and behavior. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 37, 121–175.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jazaieri, H., Goldin, P. R., Werner, K., Ziv, M., & Gross, J. J. (2012). A randomized trial of MBSR versus aerobic exercise for social anxiety disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 68, 715–731. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.21863.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Jinpa, T. (2015). A fearless heart. Why compassion is the key to greater well-being. London: Little Brown.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E. (2015) Treatment as usual and routine care in research and clinical practice. Clinical Psychology Review, 42, 168–178.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, A. C., & Carter, J. C. (2015). Self-compassion training for binge eating disorder: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Psychology and psychotherapy: Theory, research and practice, 88(3), 285–303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, A. C., Wisniewski, L., Martin-Wagar, C., & Hoffman, E. (2017). Group-based compassion-focused therapy as an adjunct to outpatient treatment for eating disorders: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 24, 475–487. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2018.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kemeny, M. E., Foltz, C., Cavanagh, J. F., Cullen, M., Giese-Davis, J., Jennings, P., et al. (2012). Contemplative/emotion training reduces negative emotional behavior and promotes prosocial responses. Emotion, 12, 338–350. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0026118.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khoury, B., Lecomte, T., Fortin, G., Masse, M., Therien, P., Bouchard, V., et al. (2013). Mindfulness-based therapy: a comprehensive meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(6), 763–771. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2013.05.005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kirby, J. N. (2016). Compassion interventions: the programmes, the evidence, and implications for research and practice. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 90(3), 432–455. https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.12104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirby, J. N., & Gilbert, P. (2017). The emergence of the compassion focused therapies. In P. Gilbert (Ed.), Compassion: concepts, research and applications (pp. 258–285). London: Routledge.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kirby, J. N., Doty, J., Petrocchi, N., & Gilbert, P. (2017a). The current and future role of heart rate variability for assessing and training compassion. Frontiers in Public Health, 5, 40. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2017.00040.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kirby, J. N., Tellegen, C. L., & Steindl, S. R. (2017b). A meta-analysis of compassion-based interventions: current state of knowledge and future directions. Behavior Therapy, 48, 778–792. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2017.06.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kuyken, W., Watkins, E., Holden, E., White, K., Taylor, R. S., Byford, S., et al. (2010). How does mindfulness-based cognitive therapy work? Behaviour Research and Therapy, 48, 1105–1112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2010.08.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence, V. A., & Lee, D. (2013). An exploration of people’s experiences of compassion-focused therapy for trauma: using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 21, 495–507. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.1854.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leaviss, J., & Uttley, L. (2015). Psychotherapeutic benefits of compassion-focused therapy: an early systematic review. Psychological Medicine, 45, 927–945. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291714002141.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Linehan, M. M., Korslund, K. E., Harned, M. S., Gallop, R. J., Lungu, A., Neacsiu, A. D., et al. (2015). Dialectical behavior therapy for high suicide risk in individuals with borderline personality disorder. A randomized clinical trial and component analysis. JAMA Psychiatry, 72, 475–482. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.3039.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lopez, A., Sandermann, R., Ranchor, A. V., & Schroevers, M. J. (2018). Compassion for others and self-compassion: Levels, correlates, and relationship with psychological well-being. Mindfulness, 9, 325–331. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-017-0777-z.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Luoma, J. B., & Hayes, S. C., (2017). Learning ACT: an acceptance & commitment therapy skills-training manual for therapists. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mascaro, J. S., Darcher, A., Negi, L. T., & Raison, C. L. (2015). The neural mediators of kindness-based meditation: a theoretical model. Frontiers Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00109.

  • Matos, M., Duarte, C., Duarte, J., Pinto-Gouveia, J., Petrocchi, N., Basran, J., & Gilbert, P. (2017). Psychological and physiological effects of Compassionate Mind Training: A pilot randomized controlled study. Mindfulness, 8, 1699–1712. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-017-0745-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayseless, O. (2016). The caring motivation: an integrated theory. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Mearns, D., & Coopers, M. (2017). Working at relational depth in counselling & psychotherapy. London: SAGE Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2016). Attachment in adulthood: structure, dynamics, and change (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muris, P., & Petrocchi, N. (2017). Protection or vulnerability? A meta-analysis of the relations between the positive and negative components of self-compassion and psychopathology. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 24, 373–383. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neff, K. D. (2003). The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Identity, 2, 223–250. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neff, K. D. (2011). Self-compassion. New York: Morrow.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neff, K. D., & Germer, C. K. (2013). A pilot study and randomized controlled trial of the Mindful Self-Compassion program. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69, 28–44. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.21923.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ost, L. (2014). The efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 61, 105–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2014.07.018.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pace, T. W. W. P., Negi, L. T., Adame, D. D., Cole, S. P., Sivilli, T. I., Brown, T. D., Issa, M. J., & Raison, C. L. (2009). Effect of compassion meditation on neuroendocrine, innate immune and behavioral responses to psychosocial stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology 34(1), 87–98.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pace, T. W. W., Negi, L. T., Dodson-Lavelle, B., Ozawa-de Silva, B., Reddy, S. D., Cole, S. P., et al. (2013). Engagement with cognitively-based compassion training is associated with reduced salivary C-reactive protein from before to after training in foster care program adolescents. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 38, 294–299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2012.05.019.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Penner, L. A., Dovidio, J. F., Piliavin, J. A., & Schroeder, D. A. (2005). Prosocial behavior: multilevel perspectives. Annual Review of Psychology, 56, 1–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poulin, M. J. (2014). Volunteering predicts health among those who value others: two national studies. Health Psychology, 33, 120–129.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Preston, S. D. (2013). The origins of altruism in offspring care. Psychological Bulletin, 139, 1305–1341.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ricard, M. (2015). Altruism. London: Atlantic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigues, S. M., Saslow, L. R., Garcia, N., John, O. P., & Keltner, D. (2009). Oxytocin receptor genetic variation relates to empathy and stress reactivity in humans. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106, 21,437–21,441.

  • Sanders, M.R., & Kirby, J.N. (2015). Surviving or thriving: Quality assurance mechanisms to promote innovation in the development of evidence-based parenting interventions. Prevention Science, 16, 421–431. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-014-0475-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: an introduction. American Psychologist, 55, 5–14. https://doi.org/10.1037//0003-066X.55.1.5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seppälä, E., Simon-Thomas, E., Brown, S. L., Worline, M. C., Cameron, C. D., & Doty, J. R. (2017). The Oxford handbook of compassion science. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shahar, B., Szsepsenwol, O., Zilcha-Mano, S., Haim, N., Zamir, O., Levi-Yeshuvi, S., & Levit-Binnun, N. (2015). A wait-list randomized controlled trial of loving-kindness meditation programme for self-criticism. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 22, 346–356. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.1893.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, D. J. (2015). The developing mind: how relationships and the brain interact to shape who we are. New York: Guilford Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singer, T., & Bolz, M. (Eds.) (2012). Compassion: bridging practice and science. http://www.compassion-training.org/.

  • Sinnott-Armstrong, W., & Miller, C. B. (2017). Moral psychology. Cambridge, MA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Tirch, D., Schoendorff, B., & Silberstein, L. R. (2014). The ACT practitioner’s guide to the science of compassion. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomasello, M., & Vaish, A. (2013). Origins of human cooperation and morality. Annual review of psychology, 64, 231–255.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tsering, G. T. (2008). The awakening mind: the foundation of Buddhist thought (Vol. 4). London: Wisdom publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Valk, S. L., Bernhardt, B. C., Trautwein, F. M., Böckler, A., Kanske, P., Guizard, N., Collins, D. L., & Singer, T. (2017). Structural plasticity of the social brain: differential change after socio-affective and cognitive mental training. Science Advances, 3(10), e1700489.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Vrtička, P., Favre, P., & Singer, T. (2017). Compassion and the brain. In P. Gilbert (Ed.), Compassion: concepts, research, and applications. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weng, H. Y., Fox, A. S., Shackman, A. J., Stodola, D. E., Caldwell, J. Z., Olson, M. C., et al. (2013). Compassion training alters altruism and neural responses to suffering. Psychological. Science., 24, 1171–1180. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797612469537.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Weng, H. Y., Lapate, R. C., Stodola, D. E., Rogers, G. M., & Davidson, R. J. (2018). Visual attention to suffering after compassion training is associated with decreased amygdala responses. Frontiers in psychology, 9.

  • Wilson, A. C., Mackintosh, K., Power, K., & Chan, S. W. Y. (2018). Effectiveness of self-compassion related therapies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Mindfulness. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-018-1037-6.

  • Yadavaia, J. E., Hayes, S. C., & Vilardaga, R. (2014). Using acceptance and commitment therapy to increase self-compassion: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 3, 248–257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2014.09.002.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Compassionate Mind Research Group, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, 4072, Australia

    James N. Kirby & Paul Gilbert

  2. The University of Derby, Derby, UK

    Paul Gilbert

Authors
  1. James N. Kirby
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Paul Gilbert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to James N. Kirby.

Ethics declarations

Ethical Approval

This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

 Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kirby, J.N., Gilbert, P. Commentary Regarding Wilson et al. (2018) “Effectiveness of ‘Self-Compassion’ Related Therapies: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” All Is Not as It Seems. Mindfulness 10, 1006–1016 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-018-1088-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-018-1088-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation