Applications of compassion-focused therapy in forensic settings: the development of forensic-CFT

Purpose This paper aims to provide an overview of forensic-compassion-focused therapy (f-CFT), highlighting key components and the fusion of CFT and forensic practice to form an overarching trauma-sensitive approach to rehabilitative work with people who have caused harm to others. Design/methodology/approach The paper provides an overview of published research describing CFT interventions in forensic settings. Findings Descriptions of various ways that CFT has been used in forensic settings are provided along with a fusion of the application of CFT in such contexts. Practical implications This paper offers guidance on the implementation of CFT interventions based on previously published research. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, there have been no previously published summaries of the applications of CFT in forensic settings. This paper provides the first overarching review of such work.