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Metacognitive Therapy: Cognition Applied To Regulating Cognition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 November 2008

Adrian Wells
Adrian Wells*
Affiliation:
University of Manchester, UK
*
Reprint requests to Adrian Wells, University of Manchester, Academic Division of Clinical Psychology, Rawnsley Building, MRI, Manchester M13 9WL, UK. E-mail: adrian.wells@manchester.ac.uk
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Abstract

The theory and principles of Metacognitive therapy (MCT) are described and data supporting its effects are summarized. MCT does not advocate challenging of negative automatic thoughts or traditional schemas. It proposes the existence of a universal maladaptive thinking style that causes disorder and focuses on helping patients regulate their cognition more adaptively. It aims to reduce worry and rumination and alter problematic patterns of attention and coping. In doing so it targets underlying metacognition that controls thinking and helps patients develop new ways of consciously experiencing inner events. Data from treatment studies suggest that individual MCT techniques and full treatment are highly effective. Further randomized trials are clearly warranted.

Keywords

Metacognitionmetacognitive therapyanxietydepressionruminationworry
Type
New and Emerging Areas
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 36 , Issue 6: Developments in the Theory and Practice of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies , November 2008 , pp. 651 - 658
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2008

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