The powerlessness of thoughts – metacognitive therapy for children and adolescents

Abstract

Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a further development of cognitive therapy and was developed by Adrian Wells in the 1990s to treat adults suffering from anxiety disorders and depression. For the first time, this paper introduces a transdiagnostic adaptation of MCT to children and adolescents. Instead of focusing on the content of thoughts or beliefs, as in cognitive therapy, the treatment focuses on reducing negative perseverating thought processes as well as maladaptive attention strategies and coping behaviors. The empirical verification of MCT for children and adolescents is still in a very early stage.