What is Metacognitive Therapy (MCT)?
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) was developed by Adrian Wells and focuses on metacognition — your thoughts about thoughts. Instead of changing the content of thoughts, MCT works on changing the worry and rumination strategies that maintain psychological distress. The method has strong evidence for anxiety and depression and is typically a brief treatment.
Lene Aarup-Jørgensen Hvam
Aarhus C, Midtjylland
Krista Rasch
Ringkøbing, Syddanmark
Marianne Lundsby Thomsen
Silkeborg, Midtjylland
Christiane Kramer
Odense M, Syddanmark
Caroline Grønkjær Madsen
Aarhus C, Midtjylland
Albert Diekmann
Odense C, Syddanmark
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What is the difference between MCT and CBT?
CBT works on changing the content of negative thoughts, while MCT focuses on changing the process itself — worry and rumination. MCT is about learning to let thoughts pass without engaging with them.
Who can benefit from metacognitive therapy?
MCT is particularly effective for generalised anxiety, depression, health anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. It is relevant for people who experience excessive worry or rumination as a pervasive challenge.
How quickly does metacognitive therapy work?
MCT is typically a brief treatment of 8-12 sessions. Many experience improvement after just a few sessions, as the method provides concrete strategies for managing worry and rumination from the start.