Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy: Body, Imagery and Change

Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy (MIT) remains unique in providing instruments for dealing with clients with prominent emotional inhibition and suppression, a population for whom treatment options are largely lacking.

This book provides clinicians with techniques to treat this population, including guided imagery and re-scripting, two-chairs, role-play, body-oriented work and interpersonal mindfulness. Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy is aimed at increasing clients’ awareness of their inner world, fostering a sense of agency over their experience, and dismantling the core, embodied aspects of the schemas. The techniques included also provide clients with fresh instruments to overcome pain and act creatively in their everyday life. Using an improved version of the MIT decision-making procedure, the authors have provided a set of techniques aimed at modifying mental imagery, body states, and behaviour, as well as at steering attention to avoid falling prey to rumination. The book is structured to gently push clients towards change, but also to always prioritize the clients’ goals and needs.

Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy serves as an important guide for clinicians of any orientation.

Giancarlo Dimaggio, psychiatrist and psychotherapist, has published six books on psychotherapy for severe patients and around 200 scientific articles and book chapters. He is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Clinical Psychology: In-Session.

Paolo Ottavi, psychologist and psychotherapist, is the main developer of two published treatments with empirical support: Metacognition Oriented Social Skills Training and Metacognitive-Interpersonal Based Mindfulness Training.

Raffaele Popolo, psychiatrist and psychotherapist, has published many scientific papers and developed Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy in Group which has already been tested in two randomised control trials and two pilot studies. It is currently applied in Norway, Spain and Australia.

Giampaolo Salvatore, psychiatrist and psychotherapist has published many scientific papers and has adapted Metacognitive Intepersonal Therapy for psychosis and for borderline personality disorders.