Metacognitive therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A case report

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common and disabling disorder. The most effective psychological treatment for OCD is currently exposure with response prevention (ERP). Although ERP is an effective therapy, recovery rates are relatively modest, so there is room for improvement. Metacognitive therapy (MCT) for OCD focuses primarily on modifying metacognitive beliefs about obsessions and compulsions, instead of their actual content. Based on a few small preliminary studies, there are some indications for the effectiveness of MCT for OCD. In the present article, the metacognitive model and treatment are discussed, as well as empirical support for its efficacy. Because detailed descriptions of the application of this treatment modality for patients with OCD are scarce, the authors report a case study to illustrate the content of this form of therapy.