Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent anxiety, excessive worry, and physical symptoms combined with substantial distress or impairment in personal, work-related, or other areas of functioning. The disorder is common affecting around 7-8 % of adults in primary care settings and is associated with secondary problems such as depression, substance abuse and physical health problems.
The metacognitive model of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), developed by Adrian Wells, Ph.D., places worrying, meta-worry (“worry about worry”) and corresponding underlying metacognitive beliefs (i.e., beliefs about worry) as central in the maintenance of symptoms.
This workshop will present Wells’ metacognitive model and treatment for GAD, review the empirical research on the model and MCT for GAD, and present some of the key metacognitive change techniques used in MCT including Detached Mindfulness exercises.
CE Learning Objective(s)
Following this presentation, participants will:
- Describe the metacognitive model of GAD and excessive worry
- Describe three key metacognitive mechanisms of GAD including metacognitive beliefs, metacognitive strategies, and meta-worry
- Observe presentation of two important MCT change techniques, including the detached mindfulness exercises.
- Outline three findings in support of the MCT with clinical relevance, drawing from the empirical literature on the metacognitive model and MCT for GAD
About Presenter
Henrik Nordahl, Ph.D. is an associate professor of clinical psychology and specialist in clinical psychology affiliated with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and St. Olavs University Hospital, in Trondheim, Norway. He is certified as a level I and level II MCT therapist with the MCT-Institute and was supervised by Adrian Wells for his Ph.D.. He has now published more than 50 research articles in international peer-reviewed journals on the metacognitive model and MCT. Henrik Nordahl is responsible for the education of new MCT-therapists in Norway.
Target Audience
This workshop is designed for licensed professionals & advanced graduate students with clinical experience who anticipate seeking licensure as mental health professionals. The instructional level of this presentation is BEGINNER .
- Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists*. Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
- This program provides three and a half (3.25) hours of CE credits.
- * PBTA now offers CE to licensed psychologists licensed in the state of New York. Attestation of full attendance and provision of license number post-event required to obtain certificate that meets NY criteria for CE.
- PBTA is also an authorized provider of CE credits for Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Clinical Social Workers licensed in the state of Pennsylvania. Non-psychologist licensees in other states should confirm with their respective boards if this meets criteria for CE in their specific non-PA states.
- Full attendance with video display is required to obtain CE credit for this program. APA guidelines do not permit PBTA to issue partial CE credits. No refunds are provided for CE programs. No exceptions allowed. Registrants can log in and cancel up to 48 hours before event when registration closes.
Suggested Readings
Nordahl, H. M., Borkovec, T. D., Hagen, R., Kennair, L. E., Hjemdal, O., Solem, S., ... & Wells, A. (2018). Metacognitive therapy versus cognitive–behavioural therapy in adults with generalised anxiety disorder. BJPsych Open, 4(5), 393-400.
Wells, A. (1995). Meta-cognition and worry: A cognitive model of generalized anxiety disorder. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 23, 301-320.
Wells, A. (2009). Metacognitive therapy for anxiety and depression. New York: Guilford press.
