When people struggle to control the focus of their attention, they find it much harder to interrupt cycles of worry, rumination, and other forms of self-focused attention (SFA). This can contribute to problems such as social anxiety. The Attention Training Practice Record helps clients learn to direct their attention, using a series of listening exercises.
Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
An editable Microsoft PowerPoint version of the resource.
The Attention Training Practice Record provides clinicians with a structured tool to help clients practice attention training techniques (ATT). This resource is rooted in metacognitive therapy and can be used in treatments for anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders.
Attentional processes such as rigid or excessive self-focused attention can maintain psychological disorders. Helping clients train the focus of their attention can leading to symptom reduction.
Helps address excessive self-consciousness.
Addresses excessive focus on worry thoughts and threat monitoring.
Reduces ruminative thought patterns and promotes attentional control.
Provide psychoeducation on the impact of SFA and introduce ATT as a tool.
Begin with assessing the client's current level of self-focused attention.
Guide clients through the phases of selective, switching, and divided attention.
Rate changes in self-focus intensity and collect feedback from the client.
Encourage regular practice of ATT to reinforce skills and enhance outcomes.
Self-focused attention (SFA) involves excessive focus on internal states like thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations, and can contribute to various psychological disorders. The attention training technique (ATT), a key component of metacognitive therapy, aims to reduce SFA by improving attentional control. Grounded in the self-regulatory executive function (S-REF) model, ATT targets the cognitive-attentional syndrome (CAS), which includes excessive worry, rumination, and self-monitoring. ATT enhances attentional control through exercises that help individuals interrupt maladaptive thinking patterns, reduce self-focus, and engage in more effective information processing. Research supports its effectiveness in treating anxiety, depression, and psychosis.
