Group Therapy for Self-Esteem, Using Creative Approaches and Metaphor as Clinical Tools

Abstract

This was a cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) group for formulation and treatment of low self-esteem, with emphasis on the use of creative approaches (stories, metaphors and experiential exercises) to enhance memory and learning. Evaluation of outcome for 72 clients attending these groups indicates that this is a successful intervention in terms of self-esteem, anxiety and depression. Qualitative feedback has been very positive and there has been a steady and increasing demand in terms of referrals.

Transgender and anxiety: A comparative study between transgender people and the general population

“…Psychological treatment aiming at improving selfesteem and interpersonal functioning may help transgender individuals at risk of developing anxiety disorder when going through the transitional process. Various psychological treatments have proven efficacious in increasing self-esteem (Morton et al, 2012;Fennel, 2006;Rigby and Waite, 2007). Similarly, interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) has been found efficacious in reducing interpersonal problems.…”

Cognitive behaviour therapy for low self-esteem: A preliminary randomized controlled trial in a primary care setting

“…Although CBT for LSE is widely used in routine clinical practice, it has yet to be systematically evaluated and to date the evidence-base for this treatment protocol consists only of single case examples (Butler et al, 2008;Chatterton, Hall, & Tarrier, 2007;Fennell, 1997Fennell, , 1998McManus, Waite, & Shafran, 2009), and small uncontrolled evaluations of adaptations for group settings (Rigby & Waite, 2007), for those with learning disabilities (Whelan, Haywood, & Galloway, 2007), for those with psychosis (Hall & Tarrier, 2003) or psychosis with substance abuse (Oestrich, Austin, Lykke, & Tarrier, 2007), and for those in a forensic setting (Laithwaite, 2007). While these case studies suggest that this treatment approach may be an effective way to treat LSE, it has yet to systematically evaluated with a control group, independent assessors who are 'blind' to treatment and using validated outcome measures.…”

Effect of cognitive behavioral group therapy for recovery of self‐esteem on community‐living individuals with mental illness: Non‐randomized controlled trial

“…Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the commonly practiced forms of psychotherapy, and is regarded as an effective treatment for a wide variety of mental illness, such as delusions of persecution, 11 children with manic depression, 12 and suicidal ideation. 13 In the studies by Morton et al 14 using Fennell's approach, 15 the results of the pre-and post-test showed that self-esteem, depression, and anxiety had improved, and in Rigby and Waite's study, 16 it was reported that the improvement lasted 2 months post-intervention. Likewise, Waite et al 17 reported that in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of individual CBT using Fennell's approach, 15 self-esteem remained high 3 months post-intervention.…”