Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy for Personality Disorders Featuring Emotional Inhibition

A Multiple Baseline Case Series

Abstract

Metacognitive interpersonal therapy (MIT) is an integrative psychotherapeutic approach targeting personality disorders (PDs) featuring inhibition and avoidance. The current case series reports the outcome of a time-limited, 12-month MIT intervention for people with PDs featuring emotional inhibition. Seven participants were diagnosed with a PD on the basis of a structured clinical interview. The study followed a multiple baseline design, with baseline measures taken for 3 weeks before intervention. Participants underwent 12 months of weekly MIT sessions, with outcome measures taken every 3 months. Outcome variables were diagnostic recovery, symptom severity, and alexithymia. All participants improved over the course of the 12-month intervention across most measures. For six of the participants, the intervention was a likely driver of change. The current study contributes to a growing evidence base regarding the effectiveness of MIT for the treatment of PDs.