Topic: Anxiety, Depression, Emotional Competency, PTSD
Target Population: Adolescents, Adults
Sector: Community-Based
This program is for individuals who are experiencing mental health challenges.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT), a community-based therapy approach, is designed to help participants alter their beliefs and thoughts to enhance well-being and achieve a more positive, resilient, and balanced approach to life.
Evaluations of the individual format of MCT have been conducted for a variety of conditions, and results are strongest for outcomes of anxiety and depression, and there are some promising results for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Internal and external randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted using either a wait-list condition or a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) comparison group to determine the effects of MCT on anxiety and depression. Results of MCT either matched or exceeded those of CBT at follow-ups that were conducted 1 year or longer after the end of treatment. Two internal RCTs have been conducted to assess the effects of MCT on PTSD. Positive results were found for MCT compared to the control group at a 6-month follow-up in one study and at a 3-month follow-up in a second study. Additionally, research on the group format of MCT has been conducted to determine effects on anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and results have been positive. However, stronger study designs using comparison groups and longer follow-ups are needed.
MCT intends to address the shift in thinking patterns, termed the cognitive-attentional syndrome (CAS), that occurs with psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, or PTSD. The CAS consists of overthinking and repetitive thinking, worrying, ruminating, fixating attention on threat, and using faulty coping techniques. MCT is designed to help eliminate the CAS, modify the participants’ thinking processes, and bring overthinking under control. Therapists achieve this by helping participants do the following: build new ways of directing their attention, develop new strategies for relating to negative thoughts and beliefs, and change the beliefs that foster and sustain harmful patterns of thinking and behaviors.
Therapy consists of the following 5 modules:
Participants engage in strategies, such as the attention training technique, detached mindfulness, and postponement of rumination in order to improve their cognitive-attentional control, and learn new ways of dealing with thoughts that act as triggers for overthinking.
The Metacognitive Therapy Institute® (MCTI®) was founded by Dr. Adrian Wells and Dr. Hans Nordahl. MCTI® registered therapists are currently practicing in Austria, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
MCT is delivered by MCTI® registered therapists who have completed MCTI® masterclass training. Two levels of training are available from MCTI® and can be delivered in person or online. Please visit https://mct-institute.co.uk/mct-registered-therapists/ or https://mct-institute.co.uk/mct-master-class/ or use details in the Contact section to learn more.
Considerations for implementing this program include recruiting qualified therapists who have completed training, acquiring participant buy-in, realizing sensitive topics may be discussed, and locating suitable space to hold therapy sessions.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing MCT, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you! Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email clearinghouse@psu.edu
Delivery of MCT is flexible and can be modified to meet the needs of each participant; however, therapy is typically delivered in 8- to 12-weekly 60-minute sessions.
Measures used in treatment and research are available for a fee at https://mct-institute.co.uk/therapist-resources/. Please use details in the Contact section for additional information on implementation costs.
MCT is placed as Effective - RCT on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence for outcomes of anxiety and depression. To move MCT to the Effective category for PTSD, at least two additional evaluations with a strong study design must be conducted that demonstrate sustained, positive outcomes lasting at least one year from the end of the program or at least two years from the beginning of the program. At least one of these evaluations must be conducted independently of the developer.
The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email clearinghouse@psu.edu
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program. Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: clearinghouse@psu.edu
You may also contact the MCT Institute by visiting https://mct-institute.co.uk/contact/
https://mct-institute.co.uk/therapy/ and Solem et al., (2021).
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