A Review of Client Self-Criticism in Psychotherapy

Research on the construct of self-criticism has been gaining attention in the psychopathology and psychotherapy literature. The aims of this review are to provide an integrated theoretical and empirical understanding of client self-criticism and its implications for psychopathology and processes of self-critical change. Cognitive, emotion-focused, and psychodynamic therapy approaches are reviewed to highlight the ways in which self-criticism is addressed across different psychotherapies. Implications for treatment are put forward based upon the strengths of the different approaches in developing a self-protective and self-compassionate stance toward self-criticism.