Individualized metacognitive therapy program for patients with psychosis (MCT+): introduction of a novel approach for psychotic symptoms.

BACKGROUND Metacognitive Group Training for Schizophrenia Patients (MCTg) focuses on dysfunctional thinking styles (e.g. cognitive biases) putatively involved in the formation and maintenance of delusions. Recently, the Individualized Metacognitive Therapy Program for Patients with Psychosis (MCT+), an extension of the group training, was released. MCT+ sessions aim to correct false metacognitive beliefs, which in turn should challenge a patient's personal delusional convictions. AIMS The present study demonstrates how MCT and MCT+ can be combined and how the contents are conveyed to the patient. METHOD We present a single case study of a patient undergoing a combined treatment of MCT and MCT+. Before intervention and 4 weeks later the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS) were administered. RESULTS The patient showed a substantial symptom reduction after 4 weeks of combined therapy of MCTg and MCT+ as measured with PANSS and PSYRATS. CONCLUSIONS The present case history lends preliminary evidence for the feasibility of this new treatment approach in psychosis.