Therapist Resources

Measures
In this section of the website you have access to measures used in research and in treatment.

You can download a copy of all the resources for a fee. A description of each is provided below.

Some of these measures have established psychometric properties (MCQ-30, TCQ, MWQ). Some have not been subjected to psychometric evaluation so far but are used as tools to assess change in metacognitive and process variables during the course of metacognitive therapy for Generalized Anxiety (GADS-R), Depression (MDD-S), Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD-S), and post-traumatic stress (PTSD-S). These latter scales are used to help therapists monitor and maintain a focus on important factors.

MCQ-30

The Metacognitions Questionnaire measures 5 dimensions of metacognitive beliefs and metacognitive processes: these are positive beliefs about worry, negative beliefs about worry concerning uncontrollability and danger, cognitive confidence, beliefs about need to control thoughts, and cognitive self-consciousness.

Reference:

Wells A & Cartwright-Hatton S (2004). A short form of the metacognitions questionnaire: Properties of the MCQ-30. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 42, 385-396.

TCQ:

The Thought Control Questionnaire measures individual differences in 5 strategies that people use to try and control unwanted distressing thoughts. These strategies are: distraction, worry, punishment, social control, and reappraisal.

Reference:

Wells A & Davies, M. (1994). The thought control questionnaire: A measure of individual differences in the control of unwanted thoughts. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 32, 871-878.

MWQ:

The Meta-Worry Questionnaire measures the frequency of thoughts and level of beliefs concerning the dangerous physical and mental effects of worrying.

Reference:

Wells A (2005). The metacognitive model of GAD: Assessment of meta-worry and relationship with DSM-IV Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 29, 107-121.

GADS-R, MDD-S, OCD-S & PTSD-S

These rating scales for specific disorders assess a range of dimensions useful in monitoring treatment effects, provide information to aid case formulation and reduce therapist drift in sessions.

Reference:

Wells A (2008). Metacognitive Therapy for Anxiety and Depression. New York: Guilford Press.