Overview
Cognitive restructuring involves four steps:
- Identification of problematic cognitions known as "automatic thoughts" (ATs) which are dysfunctional or negative views of the self, world, or future
- Identification of the cognitive distortions in the ATs
- Rational disputation of ATs with the Socratic dialogue
- Development of a rational rebuttal to the ATs
There are six types of automatic thoughts:
- Self-evaluated thoughts
- Thoughts about the evaluations of others
- Evaluative thoughts about the other person with whom they are interacting
- Thoughts about coping strategies and behavioral plan
- Thoughts of avoidance
- Any other thoughts that were not categorized
Read more about this topic: Cognitive Restructuring