Online Group Metacognitive Therapy for Repetitive Negative Thinking: A Pilot Study.
Sophie Mazza1, Matthew Kieran1, Kate E Tonta2
1Curtin University.
Behavior Therapy
|October 25, 2025
Summary
Telehealth group metacognitive therapy (MCT) effectively treats anxiety and depression, matching face-to-face outcomes. This approach increases accessibility for mental health treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Mental Health
Background:
- Group metacognitive therapy (MCT) is effective for anxiety and depression.
- Telehealth delivery can improve access to mental health services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of group MCT delivered via telehealth versus face-to-face (F2F) for anxiety and depression.
- To assess treatment outcomes, including repetitive negative thinking, metacognitive beliefs, and symptom reduction.
Main Methods:
- Pilot study comparing telehealth group MCT (N=23) with historical F2F controls (N=52).
- Six weekly 2-hour sessions with 1-month follow-up.
- Measures included repetitive negative thinking (RNT), metacognitive beliefs, anxiety, and depression symptoms.
Main Results:
- Telehealth group MCT showed medium to very large effects on all outcomes.
- No significant differences between telehealth and F2F groups in demographics or clinical variables.
- Similar treatment acceptability, satisfaction, and reliable change rates for both delivery modes.
Conclusions:
- Telehealth-delivered group MCT is a promising transdiagnostic intervention for anxiety and depression.
- This delivery method is comparable in effectiveness and satisfaction to F2F group MCT.
More Related Videos
08:42Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
Published on: May 19, 2015
11.1K
13:20Online Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of Dorsomedial and Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex in Cognition Decision Making, and Cognitive Dissonance
Published on: December 5, 2025
504
Related Concept Videos
01:25Beck's Cognitive Therapy
307
Cognitive therapy is a psychological approach designed to address distortions in thinking, which can lead to negative emotions and unrealistic beliefs. These cognitive distortions often influence how individuals interpret and respond to situations, exacerbating emotional distress. Below are some prevalent cognitive distortions, their characteristics, and examples of how they manifest in thought processes.
Arbitrary Inference
Arbitrary inference involves making conclusions without sufficient...
Arbitrary Inference
Arbitrary inference involves making conclusions without sufficient...
307
01:25Cognitive Therapy
742
Cognitive therapy, pioneered by Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, is a structured approach to addressing psychological distress by focusing on the influence of thoughts on emotions and behaviors. All cognitive therapies involve the basic assumption that human beings have control over their feelings, and that how individuals feel about something depends on how they think about it. Unlike psychoanalytic methods that delve into unconscious processes or humanistic approaches emphasizing...
742
01:24Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
322
Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBTs) are grounded in the belief that our thoughts profoundly influence our emotions and actions. Advocates of CBT emphasize three core assumptions: first, that cognitions are identifiable and measurable; second, that they are central to psychological functioning; and third, that irrational or maladaptive beliefs can be replaced with rational and adaptive ones. This transformative approach to therapy has paved the way for specific models such as Albert...
322
01:26Metacognition
579
Metacognition is a conscious process where individuals are aware of their cognitive and executive processes, such as planning before solving a problem or self-monitoring during reading. For instance, a writer may need help with composing a piece. The situation involves a writer who is working on a piece of writing, but while doing so, they realize that something is missing. They notice that their characters lack depth or details. This realization occurs because the writer is reflecting on their...
579
01:19Counterfactual Thinking
194
Counterfactual thinking is a cognitive process wherein individuals mentally reconstruct alternative versions of past events, often beginning with “what if” or “if only.” This reflective mechanism plays a significant role in shaping emotional experiences and guiding future behavior. Though typically triggered by unfavorable or unexpected outcomes, counterfactual thinking can also emerge in mundane, everyday decisions and experiences, revealing its deep entrenchment in...
194
01:30Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
389
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia indicate a reduction or absence of typical behaviors and emotional responses found in healthy individuals, while positive symptoms reflect an excess or distortion of normal functioning.
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
389