Cognitive therapies for psychological disorders are increasingly recognised as effective and client-friendly treatment approaches that are well supported by outcome and research evidence. However, there is much scope for improving our knowledge and treatment of emotional disorders. This book helps to develop an understanding of the internal rules and processes that guide thinking, and the factors that lead individuals to become trapped in cycles of negative and distorted thought.

In a ground-breaking new approach to cognitive therapy, Adrian Wells addresses limitations of cognitive theories and describes how metacognition, self-attentional processes, and worry/rumination strategies are central to emotional vulnerability, to the maintenance of trauma-related stress reactions, to and emotional disorders. Using the meta-cognitive model, the author describes in detail new clinical strategies which help to guide the clinician towards a fresh cognitive approach to changing negative thoughts, distorted beliefs, and distressing emotions.

Trainee therapists and practitioners, as well as experts working at the frontiers of cognitive therapy, will welcome this book for its

• introduction to this innovative, powerful approach to emotional disorders
• details clinical guidelines and applications
• theoretical and research-based development of cognitive therapy

"Any clinician, researcher, or theoretician dealing with emotional disorders should read this book. Adrian Wells is doing some of the most creative and thoughtful work today on the nature and treatment of emotional disorders. As one of the few individuals to thoughtfully integrate emerging principles of cognitive science with the practice of cognitive therapy. Wells provides a fresh perspective on the process of change in emotional disorders that leads to innovative new treatment strategies."--David H Barlow, PhD, Center for Anxiety and Related Disroders at Boston University, USA

Adrian Wells, University of Manchester, UK.

List of Figures.

List of Tables.

About the Author.

Preface.

Acknowledgements.

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES.

Setting the Stage: Metacognition and Cognitive Therapy.

The Self-Regulatory Executive Function (S-REF) Model.

Metacognition and Emotional Disorder: Evidence for the S-REF Model.

Emotional Processing, the S-REF and Trauma Therapy.

S-REF, Schema Theory and Interactive Cognitive Subsystems (ICS).

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS.

Metacognitive Focused Therapy: Basic Constructs.

Clinical Assessment of Metacognitions.

Modifying Beliefs.

New Pathways for Cognitive Restructuring: Attention Modifications (ATT and SAR).

Treating Pathological Worry and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Concluding Remarks.

Appendix I: Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ).

Appendix II: Scoring Key for the MCQ.

Appendix III: Anxious Thoughts Inventory (AnTI).

Appendix IV: Scoring Key for the AnTI.

Appendix V: Thought Control Questionnaire.

Appendix VI: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GADS).

References.

Author Index.

Subject Index.