Metakognitive Therapien

Metacognition is an umbrella term that has been adopted by different clinical theories. A common denominator of these models is that they are concerned with cognitive processes (i. e., how people think) contributing to mental disorders rather than the contents of beliefs (i. e., what people think), which is traditionally dealt with in cognitive therapies. The present issue brings together the various theoretical approaches and their implications for treatment. The issue starts with the generic treatment model advocated by Adrian Wells. The other articles highlight disorder-specific models and treatment approaches for schizophrenia, depression and borderline disorder. These approaches highlight the role of cognitive biases and aim to foster cognitive awareness. For some approaches surplus effects beyond standard treatment have been detected but more research is needed before solid conclusions can be drawn, particularly with respect to essential elements of therapy.