Mindful Self-Compassion for Anxiety Disorders and Depression

Inclusion criteria

• Must have a primary anxiety disorder (social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or agoraphobia) or major depressive disorder, current
• Must score low on self-compassion, as measured by the self-compassion scale
• Must understand study procedure and willing to participate in all testing visits, and treatment as assigned
• must be able to give informed consent to the study procedures

Exclusion criteria

• Comorbid psychiatric disorder other than anxiety or depression, such as psychotic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders (i.e., anorexia and bulimia), bipolar disorder; developmental or organic mental disorders; and current (past 6 months) substance use disorders and current post-traumatic stress disorder as assessed by clinician at screening visit
• A serious medical condition that may result in surgery or hospitalization.
• A history of head trauma causing prolonged loss of consciousness, or ongoing cognitive impairment
• Inability to understand study procedures or informed consent process, or significant personality dysfunction likely to interfere with study participation (assessed during the clinical interview).
• Subjects who will be non-compliant with the study procedures. This may include planned travel out of town.
• Subjects taking some psychiatric medication such as barbiturates or antipsychotics. Sleep medications and some anti-depressants will be allowed, if the subject has been taken at stable dose 8 weeks prior to baseline and the patient plans to continue at the same dose through the trial.
• Concurrent psychotherapy initiated within 1 month of screen interview, or ongoing psychotherapy of any duration directed specifically toward the treatment of anxiety (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).
• Individuals who have completed a course of MSC or an equivalent meditation training in the last year.
• Individuals reporting significant active suicidal ideation or suicidal behaviors within the past year.
• Individuals with a medical condition (i.e., epilepsy) that may be exacerbated by study treatment, as determined by a study physician or nurse practitioner based on history, physical, and/or labs.
• Adults unable to consent
• Pregnant women
• Prisoners