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Treating Stress with Metacognitive Therapy
Stress has become a fact of life for far too many people today.
Until now, the treatment of stress has mostly focused on behavioral changes, combined with talking about and noticing every thought, feeling, and sensation. But according to the metacognitive approach, this excessive focus on the self is what actually creates the problem. Worrying and ruminating are not simply a symptom of stress, but the causes of stress, preventing stress sufferers from fostering real change. Real change can only occur when the metacognitive management systems underlying behaviour are addressed by focusing not on what, but on how stress sufferers respond to their thinking. The thought is not important, but how they react to it, makes the difference.
"Treating Stress with Metacognitive Therapy" provides therapists, practitioners and others who work with treating stress, an introduction to metacognitive therapy, showing how this approach can be applied effectively to treat stress-related problems. This book comprises concrete examples of how a course of metacognitive therapy can be planned. The reader is invited into the therapy room to how to apply the exercises of this method; what to remember during the therapy process; and which questions are important to ask the client.
Until now, the treatment of stress has mostly focused on behavioral changes, combined with talking about and noticing every thought, feeling, and sensation. But according to the metacognitive approach, this excessive focus on the self is what actually creates the problem. Worrying and ruminating are not simply a symptom of stress, but the causes of stress, preventing stress sufferers from fostering real change. Real change can only occur when the metacognitive management systems underlying behaviour are addressed by focusing not on what, but on how stress sufferers respond to their thinking. The thought is not important, but how they react to it, makes the difference.
"Treating Stress with Metacognitive Therapy" provides therapists, practitioners and others who work with treating stress, an introduction to metacognitive therapy, showing how this approach can be applied effectively to treat stress-related problems. This book comprises concrete examples of how a course of metacognitive therapy can be planned. The reader is invited into the therapy room to how to apply the exercises of this method; what to remember during the therapy process; and which questions are important to ask the client.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2024
19 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 23, 2025
This is a Powerful and Supportive Guide to Overcoming Stress
This is a book that makes an immediate difference. The author takes one of the most common challenges of our time—stress—and explains it in a way that is both insightful and deeply practical. The book shows that stress is not simply about external circumstances, but about how we relate to our own thoughts. That perspective alone feels liberating, because it opens an entirely new way of responding to the pressures of everyday life.
This is not just a book to read once. It is a companion to return to whenever stress builds up, because it offers both understanding and practical relief. The author has created a work that is just as valuable for professionals as it is for anyone who simply wants to live with greater calm and balance.
I highly recommend this book for its clarity, compassion, and the very real hope it provides.
This is a book that makes an immediate difference. The author takes one of the most common challenges of our time—stress—and explains it in a way that is both insightful and deeply practical. The book shows that stress is not simply about external circumstances, but about how we relate to our own thoughts. That perspective alone feels liberating, because it opens an entirely new way of responding to the pressures of everyday life.
This is not just a book to read once. It is a companion to return to whenever stress builds up, because it offers both understanding and practical relief. The author has created a work that is just as valuable for professionals as it is for anyone who simply wants to live with greater calm and balance.
I highly recommend this book for its clarity, compassion, and the very real hope it provides.
May 20, 2025
I absolutely loved Treating Stress with Metacognitive Therapy by Linda Burlan Sørensen.
As someone who has struggled with overthinking and chronic stress, this book felt like a lifeline.
Sørensen explains metacognitive therapy in a way that is both accessible and deeply insightful.
I appreciated how practical the tools were—I could apply them immediately in my daily life.
The case examples felt real and relatable, which helped me feel less alone in my experience.
Her compassionate tone made the book comforting as well as informative.
I especially resonated with the focus on reducing worry instead of analyzing thoughts endlessly.
It helped me break free from unhelpful thinking habits I didn’t even realize I had.
This is a must-read for anyone seeking lasting change in how they relate to stress.
I’ll definitely revisit it again and again—it’s already made a huge difference.
As someone who has struggled with overthinking and chronic stress, this book felt like a lifeline.
Sørensen explains metacognitive therapy in a way that is both accessible and deeply insightful.
I appreciated how practical the tools were—I could apply them immediately in my daily life.
The case examples felt real and relatable, which helped me feel less alone in my experience.
Her compassionate tone made the book comforting as well as informative.
I especially resonated with the focus on reducing worry instead of analyzing thoughts endlessly.
It helped me break free from unhelpful thinking habits I didn’t even realize I had.
This is a must-read for anyone seeking lasting change in how they relate to stress.
I’ll definitely revisit it again and again—it’s already made a huge difference.
December 14, 2025
4.5 rounded up
General Thoughts: I am not a psychologist or even a counselor - just someone who suffers from constant stress and overthinking and is looking for any help I can get. I thought this book was organized and written really well. It was pretty easy to understand - even for this simpleton - and make me really think about decisions in my life.
Writing Style: 4.5/5 - For the most part, the writing style was well thought out and easy to read. Only a few times did it get too "sciency" and I had to skip over.
Content: 5/5 - This book includes so much great content. There were examples that I never would have imagined contributed to stress but with this book now I can look at my stress with a better understanding.
Enjoyment: 4/5 - For the most part, I enjoyed this read more than I thought I would.
Total: 13.5/3 = 4.5
General Thoughts: I am not a psychologist or even a counselor - just someone who suffers from constant stress and overthinking and is looking for any help I can get. I thought this book was organized and written really well. It was pretty easy to understand - even for this simpleton - and make me really think about decisions in my life.
Writing Style: 4.5/5 - For the most part, the writing style was well thought out and easy to read. Only a few times did it get too "sciency" and I had to skip over.
Content: 5/5 - This book includes so much great content. There were examples that I never would have imagined contributed to stress but with this book now I can look at my stress with a better understanding.
Enjoyment: 4/5 - For the most part, I enjoyed this read more than I thought I would.
Total: 13.5/3 = 4.5
April 24, 2025
Break Free from the Cycle of Overthinking
As someone who’s tried everything from mindfulness to talk therapy, this book opened my eyes in a whole new way. Treating Stress with Metacognitive Therapy explains that it's not what you think, but how you respond to your thoughts that really matters. The simple shift in focus and stepping back from overthinking made a huge difference in my daily stress levels. The book is clear, practical, and full of real-life examples that helped me feel like I could actually do this. I especially appreciated being “invited into the therapy room” It made the techniques feel personal and doable. If you feel stuck in stress, this book offers a real way out.
As someone who’s tried everything from mindfulness to talk therapy, this book opened my eyes in a whole new way. Treating Stress with Metacognitive Therapy explains that it's not what you think, but how you respond to your thoughts that really matters. The simple shift in focus and stepping back from overthinking made a huge difference in my daily stress levels. The book is clear, practical, and full of real-life examples that helped me feel like I could actually do this. I especially appreciated being “invited into the therapy room” It made the techniques feel personal and doable. If you feel stuck in stress, this book offers a real way out.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews