Psychiatr. praxi. 2012;13(2):81-84

Metacognitive training in schizophrenia

MUDr.Petr Možný

Psychiatrická léčebna v Kroměříži

Metacognitive training in schizophrenia (MCT) is a group therapy programme for psychotic patients developed by Moritz and Woodward.

Its aim is to help patients to become aware of the errors in thinking they commit and to reduce these errors. It is based on scientific

studies showing that, in schizophrenia, certain types of cognitive processing deficits are characteristic; that patients are unaware of

these deficits; and that this affects their emotions and their behaviour. MCT consists of eight modules, each focused on a certain type

of cognitive bias. One module deals with depression and the methods of coping with it. Each module contains an educational part,

practical exercises, and a concluding summary and recommendations. The programme includes a manual for the therapist, sheets for

patients who can perform assigned tasks between sessions, and two first aid cards. Studies on the efficacy of the MCT programme have

shown that this programme is very well accepted by patients and that it leads to reducing errors in thinking related to psychosis. This

therapeutic programme has been translated into Czech and can be downloaded freely at www.uke.de/mkt.

Keywords: schizophrenia, cognitive processing deficits, psychotherapy, metacognitive training

Published: April 23, 2012  Show citation