How To Cognitive Restructuring Cassie Benjamin A Brief

How To: Cognitive Restructuring Cassie Benjamin

A Brief Overview: What is Cognitive Restructuring? Cognitive Restructuring means literally changing the way that we think It’s all about taking the negative and self-defeating thoughts that we have and turning them into positive or reasonable thoughts that make us feel good!

A Brief Overview: What are the Benefits to Cognitive Restructuring? o Improved mood o Improved health o Improved outlook o Ability to look at situations rationally

How To: Cognitive Restructuring There are different ways to approach the idea of how to change our thinking. For example, let's look at the thought of "I'm an idiot. " It is a negative thought and the person who thinks that does not feel good about themselves.

How To: Cognitive Restructuring Instead, we need to look at what is making the person feel this way. Let's say our subject did poorly on an exam. We can come up with an alternative way of thinking. Instead of thinking that they're an idiot for failing their exam, the person should instead look at it in a more rational way.

How To: Cognitive Restructuring Perhaps "I did not do well on this exam but it doesn't mean I'm an idiot. I will take more thorough notes and be sure to visit the professor during office hours for material I don't understand“ is a better way of looking at things. The latter way of thinking, while not necessarily positive, is a more rational one that provides the thinker with a reasonable plan.

How To: Cognitive Restructuring o If simply changing the way you think isn't a tactic that is working for someone, it may be helpful to write out the negative thoughts they have when they start to feel bad. Actually being able to visualize the irrational and rational thoughts next to each other may be the difference that is needed to help the person understand how they're thinking should be.

Sources o Chris Traeger Literally [Online image]. Retrieved October 18, 2015 from http: //25. media. tumblr. com/tumblr_m 3 yvst. PTXq 1 rskrjjo 10_500. jpg o Challenging Your Thinking [Online image]. Retrieved October 18, 2015 from http: //prc. canadianpaincoalition. ca/images/abcd_model. jpg o Cognitive Restructuring [Online image]. Retrieved October 18, 2015 from http: //www. basic-counseling-skills. com/images/consequences. jpg o Positive Thinking [Online image]. Retrieved October 18, 2015 from http: //1 dim. com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Positive-Quotes-28. jpg

Sources (Continued) o Negative Feedback [Online image]. Retrieved October 18, 2015 from http: //www. reviewpush. com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Negative-Feedback. jpg o Sasson, R. (2015). The Power of Positive Thinking. Retrieved October 18, 2015.