Children and young people’s experiences of receiving group metacognitive therapy: Thematic analysis of a transdiagnostic treatment for common mental health problems

The results support the use of MCT in children and young people with mixed anxiety disorders and depression. Patients reported understanding the treatment rationale and benefiting from the intervention. They described, consistent with purported mechanisms, how treatment helped them make a shift in beliefs about thoughts and see worry as powerless and under personal control. Patients described an ability to apply specific techniques in real-life settings, despite noting major challenges with homework compliance. The results emphasised areas that might be improved and important recommendations are made for MCT delivery and practise in children and adolescents.