In Conversation: Paul Lysaker

Insight Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Professor Paul Lysaker was one of the most influential contributors to contemporary psychotherapy for psychosis and severe mental illness.

His work on metacognition, recovery, selfhood, and meaning-making transformed the way many clinicians think about psychological recovery.

Over several years, Robert Schweitzer recorded a series of conversations with Paul exploring the theory and practice of Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT), together with broader questions relating to psychosis, recovery, and psychotherapy.

These conversations continue to provide a valuable learning resource for clinicians interested in working psychotherapeutically with people experiencing psychosis and severe mental illness.

Topics Covered:

  • Metacognition, psychopathology, and schizophrenia

  • Assessment and intervention of metacognition

  • Assessment of self-reflectivity

  • Eliciting the patient’s agenda

  • Stimulation of self-reflectivity

  • Awareness of the mind of the other

  • Intersubjective process and attention to progress      

  • Stimulation of mastery

  • Integration of therapeutic elements

Insight Psychodynamic Training
  • Featured Conversation

    Paul Lysaker and Robert Schweitzer in Conversation: Introduction Part 1 

  • Featured Conversation

    Paul Lysaker and Robert Schweitzer in Conversation: Introduction Part 2 

Complete Series

An Invitation

Whether you are beginning your registrar pathway, seeking advanced professional development, or simply looking for a richer way of thinking about psychotherapy, we invite you to join a community committed to thoughtful clinical practice and a genuine curiosity that doesn’t stop at graduation.


Thinking Together