A pilot feasibility study exploring the practising of compassionate imagery exercises in a nonclinical population

This study assessed the acceptability of practising compassionate imagery as an online task without clinician support. Participants completed questionnaires at baseline, after, and 6 months of follow-up. Participants engaged safely and successfully with the tasks. There were significant improvements in questionnaire scores which were largely maintained over 6 months.

People can practise compassionate imagery tasks in an unsupervised way from online recordings and not suffer adverse effects (even with higher baseline scores in self-criticism). Compassionate imagery recordings may be used as an adjunct to improve traditional psychotherapy.