Have you ever felt like your thoughts are playing a game of tug-of-war with your emotions? Well, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that can help you win that game of tug-of-war!
In essence, CBT is all about recognising and changing unhelpful thought patterns and related behaviours that can cause you to feel anxious, depressed, or just plain yucky. It’s like being a detective and investigating your own mind! By examining your thoughts and beliefs, you can learn to identify the ones that are unhelpful and work on replacing them with more helpful and realistic thoughts.
For example, let’s say you’re afraid of public speaking. Your brain might be saying things like, “You’re going to mess up,” or “Everyone is going to laugh at you.” These thoughts are not only unhelpful, but they’re likely not even true! With the help of CBT, you can learn to recognise these negative thoughts and replace them with more positive ones, like “I’ve practiced my speech, and I’m ready to do my best” or “I’m excited to share my ideas with others,” or “Even if I do mess up, my message is important”.
CBT isn’t just about limited to your thoughts, though. It also involves taking action and practicing new behaviours. For example, if you’re trying to overcome social anxiety, a CBT therapist might encourage you to gradually expose yourself to social situations, like attending a party or speaking up in a meeting. By repeatedly facing your fears, slowly but surely, you can build confidence and start to see that your negative thoughts were just holding you back.
CBT can also include different forms of tracking and helpful handouts, so you can see your own progress and maintain it.
Overall, CBT is an effective way to train your brain to think more positively and overcome the negative thought patterns that can hold you back. So, why not give it a try and see how it can help you win the game of tug-of-war?
