The first step to getting out of a negative spiral is to become aware of it occur-ring. Oftentimes the habit is so deeply ingrained that it seems a natural part of life. One almost becomes resigned to the inevitability of the negative. After Awareness, What? The awareness is a jolt. For example,…
How Will You Know You Are Finished?
More than likely there will be a discussion at the beginning of CBT when the client and therapist talk in detail about the nature of their work together. Usually there will be an agreed-upon number of sessions at the outset with gentle reminders along the way, especially as the course of treatment…
Tracking Down Harmful Beliefs
When a child or teenager is distraught, it is always helpful to quietly ask how he feels and what is going on. Ask what happened earlier in the day. Patiently listen as he tries to formulate words around the disturbing situa-tion, resisting the temptation to put words in his mouth as he…
Core Beliefs about Mental Health
In order to decide what the focus will be in your CBT work, you have to know what you’re working with. In other words, some archeological excavation will be necessary in order to determine the cause of your difficulties. You are going exploring to look for your core beliefs, the bedrock of…
Face Your Fears Head-On
It is important to become aware of specific fears and to stop running from them. The continual chase actually gives anxiety more power. A certain amount of objectivity about oneself and the mental and emotional processes that occur on a daily basis is necessary to become aware of fear. This detachment is…
What Is Depression?
According to Barsky and Deans, authors of Stop Being Your Symptoms and Start Being Yourself, depression is the experience of feeling sad for two weeks or longer with an accompanying loss of interest in life around you. Former hobbies and interests are set aside, and social contacts are dimin-ished. The…
How to Find a Good Cognitive Behavioral Therapist
One of the first criteria for selecting a therapist is whether or not you like the person. Do you feel comfortable? Do you imagine that you could talk about difficult things and cooperate with this individual? There has to be that feeling of esprit de corps or you will be wasting your…
Moment-by-Moment Mindfulness
CBT clinicians have found that techniques drawn from centuries-old Eastern philosophies are helpful in quieting an overactive mind. A deliberate combination of breathing, meditation, and acceptance of a situation greatly quiets a person, often leading to much improved feelings and even manifestation of better outer circumstances. Deepak Chopra has written extensively about…