The Study:
Old Town Psychology has partnered with researchers at the Universidad Zaragoza to study the effectiveness of a self-guided intervention to increase self-compassion and secure attachment. Together, the research team has converted the intervention into a book (published September 2023, Springer Nature Publishing) and is now looking to assess an online self-guided version of Attachment-Based Compassion Therapy (ABCT).
Attachment-Based Compassion Therapy (ABCT):
Attachment-Based Compassion Therapy (ABCT) is an 8-week intervention designed to increase self-compassion and address maladaptive attachment patterns.(1) It’s based on decades of research on attachment and compassion. The intervention helps participants explore their relationships with others, including parents or caregivers, and gain a better understanding of their attachment style. It includes compassion and mindfulness exercises and guides participants through the topics of shame, guilt, jealousy, forgiveness, and showing and receiving affection.
Studies show that ABCT increases self-compassion, secure attachment, and mindfulness as well as reduces psychological distress, anxiety and avoidance in healthy adults.(2) ABCT has also been found to be effective for adults with fibromyalgia, leading to improvements in general health, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and psychological flexibility. (3)
Self-Guided Version:
We have adapted the original ABCT intervention to an online self-guided version. This 8-week program provides step-by-step instructions, educational materials, guided meditations, and daily exercises. We’re currently studying the effectiveness, applicability, and cost-utility of this online self-guided version of ABCT.
How to Participate:
If you’d like to learn more about this study or sign up to be a participant, please contact us at (571) 478-9499, via email at info@oldtownpsychology.com , or submit a form below:
About the Study:
Old Town Psychology has partnered with researchers from the University of Zaragoza to assess the efficacy of a self-guided attachment-based compassion therapy intervention.
The research team published a book based on the intervention in September 2023 through Springer Nature Publishing.
García-Campayo, J., Navarro-Gil, M., & Demarzo, M. (2016). Attachment-based compassion therapy. Mindfulness & Compassion, 1(2), 68-74.
Navarro-Gil, M., Lopez-del-Hoyo, Y., Modrego-Alarcon, M., Montero-Marin, J., Van Gordon, W., Shonin, E., & Garcia-Campayho, J. (2018). Effects of attachment-based compassion therapy (ABCT) on self-compassion and attachment style in healthy people. Mindfulness, 11, 51-62.
Montero-Marin, J., Navarro-Gil, M., Puebla-Guedea, M., Luciano, J. V., Van Gordon, W., Shonin, E., & Garcia-Campayo, J. (2018). Efficacy of ‘attachment-based compassion therapy’ (ABCT) in the treatment of fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry.