Cognitive Therapy And Nlp Approaches To Combat Depressive And Anxious Thinking
- Date: 2007-04-19 - Word Count: 721
Share This!
Changing the way you think in order to improve the way you feel, forms the basis of cognitive approaches to mental-wellbeing. Cognitive therapies recognise that our thoughts can "colour" our experience of the outside world. Depressed people (i.e. people with depressed or depressing thoughts!) experience the world differently to others. They see colours less vividly, food can seem tasteless and unpleasant, and harmless everyday situations can appear threatening. They predict bad consequences from actions and events where others see only benefit. A depressed persons world is very different to a happy person's, but to an observer they will seem one and the same.
Cognitive therapy and related approaches such as NLP (neuro-linguistic-programming) are very effective at helping people recognise the thinking habits behind problems such as depression, anxiety, panic disorders and phobias. There are many cognitive techniques for challenging negative thinking patterns and developing new more adaptive ways of thinking. If you are considering cognitive therapy, expect to commit to homework tasks and regular practise of these techniques.
Negative thoughts are usually fairly easily identifiable with the help of a therapist. In order to bring about a more global change, it's often necessary to go beyond the thoughts we have to deeper levels of our cognition -our beliefs.
Have you ever taken the time to stop and think about your beliefs, how and where they originate from, how they guide your life, whether they serve you? Most of the clients I work with would answer 'no' to this question. That's because our beliefs have often been with us for a very long time. Very often we develop them in childhood. For example, a child may learn that 'dogs are dangerous' or 'dogs are friendly', depending on his experiences related to dogs. As that child grows up, it is likely that he will become more flexible in his belief about dogs, able to judge individual dog for friendliness or dangerousness. This happens in most areas of our lives, as the more rigid beliefs from childhood, evolve and become more flexible as we develop.
However, this is not always the case. Sometimes negative beliefs develop due to trauma or consistent negative interactions or early life experiences. These beliefs often remain fixed in adulthood even thought they hold the person back or negatively impact on their lives. Often they are taken as the absolute truth.
Since beliefs form the essence of your identity, holding beliefs about yourself, the world and other people that are negative and not necessarily true, can be bad news for your self-esteem. Beliefs have an influence on your emotional state and behaviour by distorting how you view the world.
Every belief you hold is basically a generalisation that you have made about the world. Generalisations are distortions. Often when a client presents with a problem, there is a distorted belief behind it. For example 'I am worthless' is a belief, which promotes depression.
Beliefs about the world and yourself can actually determine what happens. They are not just thoughts but effect what you focus on. We know in NLP that what you focus on your more likely to get. This is because your unconscious mind cannot understand negatives. So for example, if you focus on being un-likeable, your unconscious mind will be on the lookout for examples of people not liking you and will find various ways to bring this to your attention. Whilst this is going on, you are of course ignoring evidence that shows you are in fact liked all sorts of people.
As an cognitive therapist, practising CBT and NLP in Hertfordshire, people often come to see me at my NLP and CBT therapy practice, Herts because they are having problems with limiting beliefs, e.g. "No one could find me attractive", "I'm useless in social situations", "I'm bad at presentations". Of course, they are often not aware that their belief is the source of their unhappiness when they initially come to see me. Limiting beliefs hold people back and prevent them from doing things they want too. When we believe we cant do something our behaviour will usually confirm this. As discussed above, you will act in a way and look out for evidence to confirm your beliefs.
NLP and CBT therapy, Herts has effective techniques for changing illogical beliefs that can allow you to experience the world through a new pair of glasses.
Cognitive therapy and related approaches such as NLP (neuro-linguistic-programming) are very effective at helping people recognise the thinking habits behind problems such as depression, anxiety, panic disorders and phobias. There are many cognitive techniques for challenging negative thinking patterns and developing new more adaptive ways of thinking. If you are considering cognitive therapy, expect to commit to homework tasks and regular practise of these techniques.
Negative thoughts are usually fairly easily identifiable with the help of a therapist. In order to bring about a more global change, it's often necessary to go beyond the thoughts we have to deeper levels of our cognition -our beliefs.
Have you ever taken the time to stop and think about your beliefs, how and where they originate from, how they guide your life, whether they serve you? Most of the clients I work with would answer 'no' to this question. That's because our beliefs have often been with us for a very long time. Very often we develop them in childhood. For example, a child may learn that 'dogs are dangerous' or 'dogs are friendly', depending on his experiences related to dogs. As that child grows up, it is likely that he will become more flexible in his belief about dogs, able to judge individual dog for friendliness or dangerousness. This happens in most areas of our lives, as the more rigid beliefs from childhood, evolve and become more flexible as we develop.
However, this is not always the case. Sometimes negative beliefs develop due to trauma or consistent negative interactions or early life experiences. These beliefs often remain fixed in adulthood even thought they hold the person back or negatively impact on their lives. Often they are taken as the absolute truth.
Since beliefs form the essence of your identity, holding beliefs about yourself, the world and other people that are negative and not necessarily true, can be bad news for your self-esteem. Beliefs have an influence on your emotional state and behaviour by distorting how you view the world.
Every belief you hold is basically a generalisation that you have made about the world. Generalisations are distortions. Often when a client presents with a problem, there is a distorted belief behind it. For example 'I am worthless' is a belief, which promotes depression.
Beliefs about the world and yourself can actually determine what happens. They are not just thoughts but effect what you focus on. We know in NLP that what you focus on your more likely to get. This is because your unconscious mind cannot understand negatives. So for example, if you focus on being un-likeable, your unconscious mind will be on the lookout for examples of people not liking you and will find various ways to bring this to your attention. Whilst this is going on, you are of course ignoring evidence that shows you are in fact liked all sorts of people.
As an cognitive therapist, practising CBT and NLP in Hertfordshire, people often come to see me at my NLP and CBT therapy practice, Herts because they are having problems with limiting beliefs, e.g. "No one could find me attractive", "I'm useless in social situations", "I'm bad at presentations". Of course, they are often not aware that their belief is the source of their unhappiness when they initially come to see me. Limiting beliefs hold people back and prevent them from doing things they want too. When we believe we cant do something our behaviour will usually confirm this. As discussed above, you will act in a way and look out for evidence to confirm your beliefs.
NLP and CBT therapy, Herts has effective techniques for changing illogical beliefs that can allow you to experience the world through a new pair of glasses.
Related Tags: nlp therapist herts, nlp therapist bucks, nlp therapist bedfordshire, nlp therapy hertfordshire, cbt therapy hertfordshire, cbt therapy bucks
Karen Hastings, has a degree in Psychology and is also a Mental Health Occupational Therapist, Master NLP practitioner, and Hypnotherapist. Karen has NHS and private practice experience of using cognitive approaches to support people in overcoming a range of problems. Karen is based in Hertfordshire. For further information visit www.karenhastings.co.uk. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- How To Beat The Winter Blues By Growing Bonsai Trees
Why do some folks dislike the winter time with such a hatred? Is it the snow, the cold, the slippery - What Is Email Marketing? Email Marketing Explained So Even A 2nd Grader Can Understand It-part 7-7
What is Email Marketing? That is a question I get asked more than any other question to do with inte - Anxiety And Depression Solutions Explained
Anxiety and depression are both mood conditions that affect the psychological and physiological stat - The Seven Most Common Physical Symptoms Of Depression
Depression reveals itself in so many ways and experiencing physical symptoms of depression is not un - Natural Remedies For Treating Depression And Anxiety
People are living a fast-paced way of life today, and because of that, many are getting stressed out - Massage Therapy: Today's Solution To Leading A Normal Life
Many people dismiss the idea of hiring a personal therapist or taking external help because of pride - Therapist Directory A Best Source To Find A Good Therapist
A therapist refers to a person who is professionally trained to provide different kinds of therapies - What Is Depression And How Do You Know?
To feel sad time to time is a normal part of life. But when loneliness and despair take hold and won - Psycho Psychotherapist Anxiety
This is the age when everything is going very fast and it become very difficult to pace with the fas - How To Deal With Depression
Overcoming depression isn't quick and easy. But of course it is not impossible to escape from it. If
Most viewed articles in this category:
- 5 Herbs That Can Help Relieve Symptoms Of Depression
If you feel that you want as joyful as you should be in your emotions are getting the best of you th - Help for Depression
Depression is indicated if a number of symptoms persist for more than a couple of weeks and are seve - Do Not Accept Depression as a Normal Part of Aging
Depression is not a part of getting older. If you are one in the senior age groups and you are feel - Depression Medication
Clinical depression is a condition of grief, dreariness, or anguish that disturbs an individual's so - Holiday Depression
During the holiday season, it seems that even with all of the lights and gifts and fanilies reunitin - Handling Depression
Depression may often be initiated by high levels of long term stress, by failure associated with str - Is Bipolar Disorder A Disability - Do You Qualify for Social Security Disability Income?
Many people would consider Bipolar disorder to be a disability simply because it affects much aspect - Why Aromatherapy?
In this fast-paced society that we are living in today, depression has become quite a common sight a - Depression Natural Cures - One Proven To Bring Relief
There is one natural compound that is part of the natural food chain which has been the result of mu - Depression Symptoms - Six Do's And Dont's When You're Feeling Down
Do you or someone you know suffer from depression? It's actually quite common these days, especially