Less Thinking, More Living with Metacognitive Therapy
Therapy provided by an MCT Institute® Registered Therapist.
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is an evidence-based treatment that helps people break free from worry, rumination, overthinking, and self-focused attention.
Rather than analysing thoughts, challenging them, or trying to make them disappear, MCT focuses on reducing the thinking patterns that keep emotional distress going.
Registered Medicare Provider.
Medicare rebates available with a valid Mental Health Care Plan and referral.
Secure telehealth appointments are available Australia-wide.
What is Metacognitive Therapy?
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is a modern evidence-based treatment developed by Professor Adrian Wells.
MCT starts with a simple idea:
It is not usually the presence of thoughts that causes distress — it is how we respond to them.
Most people experience intrusive thoughts, worries, doubts, memories, and uncomfortable feelings every day.
Difficulties arise when attention becomes trapped in worry, rumination, threat monitoring, and other forms of overthinking.
MCT helps people step out of these patterns and regain flexibility over where their attention goes.
What makes MCT different?
Many therapies focus on the content of thoughts.
MCT focuses on the thinking processes that maintain distress.
Rather than asking:
"Is this thought true?"
MCT asks:
"What happens when I keep responding to this thought?"
The goal is not to replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts.
The goal is to reduce the worry, rumination, self-focus, and monitoring that keep distress alive.
Conditions MCT Can Help With
Metacognitive Therapy may help with:
Generalised Anxiety
Excessive Worry
Depression
Social Anxiety
Health Anxiety
Stress and Burnout
PTSD
Persistent Overthinking
MCT may also be helpful for people who feel stuck in patterns of overthinking, self-doubt, indecision, perfectionism, mental exhaustion, or relationship-related worry and rumination.
Core Skills Taught in MCT
Detached Mindfulness
Learning to refrain from responding to automatic thoughts and feelings.
Worry Postponement
Breaking the habit of engaging with worry whenever it occurs.
Attention Training Technique (ATT)
Developing greater flexibility and control over attention.
Changing Metacognitive Beliefs
Learning to question beliefs about the usefulness and danger of worry, rumination, and threat monitoring.
MCT Therapy
Sessions are practical, structured, and focused on helping people reduce the thinking patterns that maintain distress.
The aim is not to eliminate thoughts.
The aim is to stop responding to them in ways that keep distress going.
Therapy is provided by an MCT Institute® Registered Therapist.
Appointments are available for adults aged 18 years and over.
Appointments are conducted securely via telehealth and are available Australia-wide.
Why People Seek MCT
Many people arrive at MCT after years of trying to manage their thoughts.
They may have spent countless hours analysing worries, searching for certainty, monitoring symptoms, seeking reassurance, or trying to stop unwanted thoughts.
MCT offers a different approach.
A thought can occur without requiring a response.
A feeling can occur without requiring a response.
No mental maneuver is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral?
No. You do not need a referral to access therapy. A Mental Health Care Plan and referral are only required if you wish to claim Medicare rebates.
Are appointments available Australia-wide?
Yes. All appointments are conducted via secure telehealth and are available throughout Australia.
How many sessions will I need?
This varies from person to person. Many people benefit from approximately 8–12 sessions, although individual needs differ.
Does MCT focus on the past?
MCT focuses primarily on the thinking patterns that are maintaining distress in the present.
What if I'm not sure whether MCT is right for me?
You are welcome to make an enquiry. All enquiries are reviewed personally to determine whether Metacognitive Therapy is likely to be a suitable fit.
Fees
Standard Session
$235 per session
55 minute telehealth appointment.
Medicare Rebates
If you have a valid Mental Health Care Plan and referral from your GP or psychiatrist, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate.
Current Medicare rebate: $87.25
Out-of-pocket cost: $147.75
Private Health Insurance
Private health rebates may be available depending on your level of cover. Please check directly with your insurer.
No Referral Required
You do not need a referral to access therapy.
However, a valid Mental Health Care Plan and referral are required if you wish to claim Medicare rebates.
Request an Appointment
All enquiries are reviewed personally to ensure Metacognitive Therapy is likely to be a suitable fit before an appointment is offered.
Suitability
Metacognitive Therapy has been applied to a wide range of psychological difficulties. However, this practice focuses on anxiety, excessive worry, overthinking, depression, stress, burnout, and related difficulties.
Appointments are available for adults aged 18 years and over.
At this time, appointments are not available for individuals seeking treatment primarily for:
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Psychosis
If you are unsure whether Metacognitive Therapy is likely to be a good fit for your needs, you are welcome to make an enquiry.
Less Thinking. More Living.
A thought occurs. No response is required.
A feeling occurs. No response is required.
No mental maneuver is needed.
Leave them alone and continue with your day.
Ready to Get Started?
If you would like to learn more about Metacognitive Therapy or request an appointment, get in touch.
All enquiries are reviewed personally to ensure Metacognitive Therapy is likely to be a suitable fit before an appointment is offered.
Contact
Metacognitive Therapy Australia
Phone: 0431 756 512
Email: info@metacognitivetherapyaustralia.com.au
Secure telehealth appointments available Australia-wide.