New motherhood is associated with multiple changes and role transitions. The internalization of cultural narratives that idealize motherhood may increase guilt and shame when new mothers perceive that they are failing to meet these standards. Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) has been adapted as a model for understanding and alleviating distress during the perinatal period. This study evaluates the outcomes of an eight-session, online perinatal CFT group developed and delivered within a Perinatal Community Mental Health Team in East England. Service user feedback is analyzed to explore participants’ experiences with the group. Thirty women took part in the CFT group. Three routine outcome measures were used to measure self-criticism, self-reassurance, fears of compassion, and psychological distress, pre- and post-group. Service user feedback was collected verbally and via an online questionnaire. Significant reductions in self-criticism and psychological distress and significant improvements in the ability to self-reassure were observed. Qualitative feedback suggested that participants found the group informative and supportive. The service evaluation results suggest that the CFT group appears to be meeting its aims of reducing self-criticism, fears of compassion, and psychological distress.
Keywords: Compassion Focused Therapy, CFT, perinatal mental health