Adult Children of Alcoholics and Other Dysfunctional Families (ACOA/ACDF) were recruited from college campuses and the community (N = 57) to participate in a 20-week study to evaluate the usefulness of an 8-week cognitive, experiential therapy group. Participants in the treatment group (n = 35) and the comparison group (n = 22) were administered measures of shame and assertiveness at week 1, week 8 and at 3-month follow-up Elevated rates of abuse/addiction were reported. Findings indicated, over time, a decrease in shame scores for the treatment group and an increase in assertiveness scores for both groups. Those who received previous individual therapy, indicated lower shame scores, while those who received current individual therapy indicated higher shame scores. Age and gender difference were found to be non-existent This study provides empirical support for the usefulness of group treatment for the remediation of shame in the ACOA/ACDF population
