An intensive case analysis of client metacognition in a good-outcome psychotherapy: Lisa's case

Psychother Res. 2008 Nov;18(6):667-76. doi: 10.1080/10503300802220132.

Abstract

The authors analyzed the successful case of Lisa, a client with major depression, using the Metacognitive Assessment Scale (MAS). Consistently with the literature on depression, the authors hypothesize that Lisa's ability to reflect on mental states--here metacognition--is marginally affected. The authors found that Lisa was better at describing her own mind rather than understanding the mind of the others. Furthermore, the most severe impairment was in using metacognition to cope with mental state source of distress and to enact strategies to solve interpersonal problems. During the therapy such difficulties improved progressively. Limitations and implications of these findings are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Awareness*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / therapy*
  • Emotions*
  • Family Conflict / psychology
  • Female
  • Gambling / psychology
  • Humans
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Personal Construct Theory
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Problem Solving
  • Psychometrics
  • Psychotherapeutic Processes*
  • Psychotherapy / methods*
  • Self Concept