ABSTRACT
Understanding GAD ......................................................................................... 5 The model in action ........................................................................................... 7 Metacognitive therapy .................................................................................... 10 A case illustration ............................................................................................. 14 Empirical status of MCT theory ..................................................................... 18 Empirical status of treatment ......................................................................... 22 MCT in wider context ...................................................................................... 24 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 24 References .......................................................................................................... 25
A central premise of metacognitive theory and therapy (Wells, 2000) is that the control of thought processes determines how long mental suffering lasts. More specically, sustained processing determines unwanted and extended emotions. In metacognitive theory, the content of thoughts is not seen as central in causing psychological disorder, but the extent to which individuals engage in a specic style of thinking is crucial.
