MCT is a therapeutic intervention based on the idea that, our thoughts affect our emotions. Therefore, by modifying our thinking improving our ability to control our attention, we can improve our mood.

Metacognition is the process of thinking about our thinking (e.g., being unable to recall the answer to a question in the moment but knowing that the answer is stored in your memory somewhere). Patterns of overthinking (e.g., chronic worry, rumination, fixation on threat and coping behaviours), known as Cognitive Attentional Syndrome (CAS). Since our beliefs about thinking (i.e., meta-beliefs) maintain the CAS and, therefore, our symptoms of anxiety or depression, MCT seeks to reduce or remove the CAS by helping you to identify and modify your meta-beliefs. This can be done by creating behavioural experiments, training our attention to focus on different things, and practicing being aware of internal events without response. MCT is typically provided over 8-12 weekly or fortnightly 50-minute sessions (or however many sessions you require), which include homework tasks, and can be used in combination with other interventions.

MCT is a well-researched and established therapy that has been found to be effective for many disorders, including OCD and anxiety disorders.