Metacognitive Therapy
What you'll learn
- What is metacognition and metacognitive therapy?
- How metacognitive therapy is used to reduce worry and rumination
- Understand how therapists deliver metacognitive therapy
- Applications of metacognitive therapy to anxiety, depression, PTSD and OCD
Requirements
- This course is predominantly aimed at mental health professionals looking to learn about metacognitive therapy
- Would also be suitable for psychology students or anyone with a basic understanding of CBT
- No prior knowledge of metacognitive therapy or metacognition is required
Description
Metacognitive Therapy is a psychological approach that focuses on identifying and changing an individual's patterns of thinking and beliefs about their thoughts, ultimately helping them manage and overcome mental health challenges. In this introductory course, you will learn about the core concepts, theories and skills used in Metacognitive Therapy.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is founded on distinct core principles that set it apart from other therapeutic approaches. Fundamentally, MCT places a substantial emphasis on metacognition, which relates to an individual's awareness and comprehension of their own cognitive processes. MCT operates on the premise that it is not merely the content of one's thoughts but the way they think about their thoughts that gives rise to mental distress.
Metacognitive Therapy equips individuals to identify and amend unhelpful thought patterns and beliefs concerning their thinking, rather than exclusively concentrating on the content of their thoughts. MCT empowers individuals to cultivate more adaptive metacognitive strategies, leading to enhanced emotional regulation and the alleviation of symptoms associated with anxiety and depression.
In contrast to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), MCT sets itself apart by addressing the thinking process rather than the content of thoughts. While CBT primarily focuses on challenging and altering negative thought patterns and beliefs, MCT adopts a more metacognitive stance, targeting how individuals perceive and interact with their thoughts. In MCT, individuals gain the ability to identify and restructure metacognitive beliefs, such as rumination and worry, which tend to sustain psychological distress. By shifting its focus to metacognition, MCT offers a fresh perspective on comprehending and managing mental health challenges.
Metacognitive Therapy is highly effective at reducing worry and rumination and is proven to reduce anxiety, PTSD, OCD and depression.
Whether you're a mental health professional (psychotherapist, counsellor, practitioner), a psychology student, or an individual seeking to enhance your understanding of the brain's inner workings and the mechanisms that can ensnare people in cycles of anxiety and depression, this course provides an excellent foundational knowledge. Throughout the course, you will delve into the theoretical foundations, practical techniques, and underlying principles of Metacognitive Therapy, which include:
Gain a comprehensive understanding of Metacognitive Therapy and its unique approach to mental health.
Differentiate between Metacognitive Therapy and other prominent therapeutic modalities, such as CBT, person-centred therapy, and psychodynamic approaches.
Explore the historical development, evidence, strengths, and limitations of Metacognitive Therapy.
Delve into the theoretical underpinnings of Metacognitive Therapy, including the core concepts of metacognitions, cognitive processes, and the Cognitive Attentional Syndrome (CAS).
Examine practical skills for applying Metacognitive Therapy, from initial assessment and identifying the CAS to using exposure techniques.
Learn about attentional training and detached mindfulness, two key components of Metacognitive Therapy.
Develop insights into the application of Metacognitive Therapy in addressing specific mental health conditions, including GAD, SAD, PTSD, OCD, and depression, through case studies.
The course is thoughtfully designed, featuring video lectures, downloadable resources, quizzes, practical exercises, and a comprehensive course handbook. On competition of the course, you will earn a certificate accredited by the International Association of Therapists. If you wish to become a registered member of the MCT Institute you will require further training.
No prior knowledge of MCT or metacognition is required. An understanding of CBT or other counselling skills would be useful to understand how MCT differs from other therapies, along with a willingness to learn some challenging material. You will be supported throughout the course by a variety of learning styles and can ask questions at any point.
Who this course is for:
- Mental health professionals (therapists, counsellors, practitioners)
- Psychology students
- Individuals looking to learn more about how their mind works and are comfortable with academic content
Instructors
- 4.5 Instructor Rating
- 16,940 Reviews
- 113,064 Students
- 58 Courses
Chris Worfolk is a Graduate Member of the British Psychological Society and a software consultant. He is the author of nine books and has taught over 100,000 students online. He specialises in software, career coaching, mental health and resilience.
Chris is the founder of the mental health charity Anxiety Leeds and co-founder of the Leeds Anxiety Clinic. He is the author of Do More, Worry Less: Small Steps To Reduce Your Anxiety. He has an MSc in Psychology (Conversion) from Leeds Beckett University.
Previously, he has spent over ten years working in the IT industry helping companies including Sky, Asda, Capita and the NHS improve their digital products. He is the author of numerous books including How to Exit VIM and the IT Contracting Master Class. He holds a BSc in Computing from the University of Leeds.
In his spare time, he is an Ironman triathlete, ultramarathon runner, and a competitive public speaker. He lives in Leeds with his wife and daughter.
- 4.6 Instructor Rating
- 10,010 Reviews
- 46,628 Students
- 22 Courses
Holbeck College provides training in psychology and mental health. Our mission is to make psychology education more accessible to a wider audience to raise the standard of mental health knowledge in society.
We teach evidence-based approaches using a variety of learning styles including videos lessons, reading, exercises and quizzes so whatever your learning style, there will be something in the course for you.
Our best-selling courses include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Couples Counselling, Mindfulness Teacher Training and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).