Attention Training Practice Record

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.

Download or send

Professional version

Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Client version

Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Editable version (PPT)

An editable Microsoft PowerPoint version of the resource.

Overview

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.

Why Use This Resource?

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.

  • Reduces self-focused attention that contributes to distress.
  • Enhances cognitive flexibility.
  • Builds attentional control.
  • Helps interrupt maladaptive thinking patterns such as worry and rumination.
  • Increases capacity for disconfirmatory information processing.

Key Benefits

Structure

Provides a systematic approach to attention training.

Enhance

Improves clients' control over the focus of their attention.

Alleviate

Helps reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression with practice.

Who is this for?

Social Anxiety Disorder

Helps address excessive self-consciousness.

Anxiety Disorders

Addresses excessive focus on worry thoughts and threat monitoring.

Depression

Reduces ruminative thought patterns and promotes attentional control.

Integrating it into your practice

01

Educate

Provide psychoeducation on the impact of SFA and introduce ATT as a tool.

02

Identify

Begin with assessing the client's current level of self-focused attention.

03

Train

Guide clients through the phases of selective, switching, and divided attention.

04

Evaluate

Rate changes in self-focus intensity and collect feedback from the client.

05

Homework

Encourage regular practice of ATT to reinforce skills and enhance outcomes.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

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.

What's inside

  • A comprehensive guide for conducting attention training sessions.
  • Detailed instructions for each phase of ATT: selective, switching, and divided attention.
  • Worksheets for recording self-focus ratings and session feedback.
  • Practitioner tips for introducing, facilitating, and reviewing exercises with clients.
Get access to this resource

FAQs

The purpose of attention training technique (ATT) is to improve attentional control and reduce maladaptive self-focused attention to help manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders.
ATT is beneficial for social anxiety, depression, and psychosis, among others, as it helps manage symptoms associated with self-focus and rumination.
For optimal results, clients should aim to practice ATT at least once daily for 10-15 minutes.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

By incorporating ATT, therapists can:

  • Reduce maladaptive self-focused attention contributing to emotional distress.
  • Enhance clients' attentional control, promoting cognitive flexibility and improving emotional regulation.
  • Support clients in breaking cycles of worry and rumination.
  • Strengthen therapeutic outcomes by combining ATT with existing therapeutic interventions.

References And Further Reading

  • Fergus, T. A., & Bardeen, J. R. (2016). The attention training technique: a review of a neurobehavioral therapy for emotional disorders. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 23, 502-516. DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2015.11.001.
  • Ingram, R. E. (1990). Self-focused attention in clinical disorders: Review and a conceptual model. Psychological Bulletin, 107, 156-176. DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.107.2.156.
  • Knowles, M. M., Foden, P., El-Deredy, W., & Wells, A. (2016). A systematic review of efficacy of the attention training technique in clinical and nonclinical samples. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 72, 999-1025. DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22312.
  • Papageorgiou, C., & Wells, A. (2000). Treatment of recurrent major depression with attention training. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 7, 407-413. DOI: 10.1016/S1077-7229(00)80051-6.
  • Reinholdt-Dunne, M. L., Blicher, A., Nordahl, H., Normann, N., Esbjørn, B. H., & Wells, A. (2019). Modeling the relationships between metacognitive beliefs, attention control and symptoms in children with and without anxiety disorders: A test of the S-REF model. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1205. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01205.
  • Veale, D., Willson, R., & Clarke, A. (2009). Overcoming body image problems including body dysmorphic disorder. Robinson.
  • Wells, A. (1990). Panic disorder in association with relaxation induced anxiety: An attentional training approach to treatment. Behavior Therapy, 21, 273-280. DOI:10.1016/S0005-7894(05)80330-2.
  • Wells, A. (2000). Emotional disorders and metacognition: Innovative cognitive therapy. John Wiley and Sons.
  • Wells, A. (2009). Metacognitive therapy for anxiety and depression. Guilford.
  • Wells, A., & Matthews, G. (1994). Attention and emotion: A clinical perspective. Erlbaum.