A compassion-focussed group intervention for compulsive sexual behaviours: an exploratory study

This study evaluated a 10-session Compassion-Focused Psychosexual Therapy (CFPT) group for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) experiencing Out-of-Control Sexual Behaviour (OCSB). Fifty-nine participants attended a specialist NHS service and completed pre- and post-treatment measures assessing compulsive sexual behaviour, mood, sexual functioning, and self-compassion. Significant reductions were observed in OCSB scores (d = 2.51), depression (PHQ-9; d = 0.61), anxiety (GAD-7; d = 0.59), and sexual shame (SSAS; d = 1.41), alongside improvements in self-compassion (SCS-SF; d = 0.93) and sexual satisfaction (NSOG; d = 0.65). Reliable change analyses indicated that 69% showed clinically meaningful improvement in CSB severity, and 41% in self-compassion. Fewer participants demonstrated reliable change in depression (24%) or anxiety (20%). Those reporting three or more types of OCSB at baseline had poorer outcomes across both CSB severity and self-compassion. Chemsex was reported by 42% but did not predict significantly different outcomes. Findings support the feasibility and acceptability of CFPT as a group intervention targeting shame, emotional dysregulation, and problematic sexual behaviour in GBMSM. Results suggest CFPT may provide a culturally sensitive alternative to abstinence-based models. Further research with control groups and long-term follow-up is recommended.