Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Learn How To Challenge Negative Thinking

As part of my counseling practice, I counsel clients on the destructive impact of how negative thinking can contaminate our feelings and behavior. As a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, I frequently work with people who are trapped in a cycle of engaging in catastrophic and negative thinking that contribute to intense feelings of depression, anxiety, or anger.
As noted in the recent article, "CBT Cuts Relapse Rates in Persistent Depression," the author notes that the use of Rumination-focused cognitive behavioral therapy in treating depression showed a "significant lowering of residual depressive symptoms severity, as shown with a 50% or more decrease in baseline score on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD)." Brauser, 2011

Similar to the article referenced above, many other articles discuss the benefits and use of CBT in treating mental health conditions. One of the the primary tenets of CBT is that before we can learn to control our emotions, we must first learn how to control our thoughts - thus, it is important to keep the following in mind:
-Our thoughts have a direct influence on our feelings and behavior.
Although this idea is hardly new or novel, individuals who often dwell on the 'worst case scenario' of various situations in their lives (i.e., 'expect the worst to happen') and use this as a defense coping mechanism to protect them from experiencing intense feelings of disappointment, hurt, or pain.
The problem with this kind of negative thinking is that it is not without consequence....namely, that because we 'think or believe the worst may happen'....these thoughts can actually lead to physiological changes in our bodies in which we experience internal feelings of dread, apprehension, worry or even anxiety. It is as if our negative thoughts 'trick or fool' our bodies into believing the 'worst-case scenario' have already happened!

So how can a person change a lifetime pattern of negative thinking? Is it possible that instead of seeing the 'glass being half-empty' a person can change their perspective and begin to search for the positives in life and view the 'glass as being half-full'?
The answer is YES!
As part of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, your therapist will help you challenge negative thoughts and begin to replace with more realistic and positive thoughts. Please stop by again for more tips that can help you experience and practice the power of positive thinking.....

Modifying Automatic Thoughts
Examining The Evidence
Assessing Symptoms of Anxiety
Psycho-education on the CBT Model
Cognitive Therapy: The Case of Tim
The Secret & Law of Attractions
Warm Regards,


Rich Schlauch, MSW, LISW-CP, LCSW
Palmetto Counseling & Consulting Services, LLC
454 S. Anderson Road
BTC Suite #115 Rock Hill, SC 29730-3392
Phone (803) 329-9639
www.palmettocounselingconsulting.com
email: info@palmettocounselingconsulting.com