Mind Healing Counselling

As a professional counsellor, I can attest to the effectiveness of the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) method in alleviating depressive and anxious symptoms. Even among those who work in mental health, there are several misunderstandings and misconceptions regarding cognitive behavioural therapy. The idea that CBT is nothing more than optimistic thinking is one of the most widespread and reasonable misunderstandings.

The phrase "cognitive behavioural therapy" has to be defined. This strategy entails not one but two comprehensive therapeutic approaches. On the cognitive side, we have things like ideas, views, and opinions. Actions and human behaviour are the primary foci of the behavioural perspective. So, the belief that CBT is solely concerned with encouraging optimistic thought patterns is based on the CBT component, not the behavioural component.

So, if not encouraging optimistic thought, then what is cognitive therapy? My standard explanation is that cognitive therapy is all about learning to think more realistically, not more optimistically. There is more nuance to the universe than meets the eye when considering our ideas, beliefs, and attitudes. On a spectrum, they don't belong to the positive or negative categories. “No good will ever come of this” is an example of a really pessimistic thinking that would cross my mind. “I am an amazing human being and will never fail” is an example of an excessively optimistic idea that I might have. I might also consider something in the centre, like, "I have some strengths, but I could use some improvement in other areas" or, "I make a lot of mistakes, but that's normal, and I always come out on top." Cognitive therapy aims to help clients find a middle ground, a place where they may be both realistic and reasonable, rather than extremes.

It could appear paradoxical that people have a predisposition to avoid optimistic thinking. However, this is due to a number of factors. Very similar to excessively optimistic or pessimistic thinking, perfectionism, the belief that everything must be flawless, is linked to elevated levels of sadness and anxiety. Striking an unrealistically optimistic outlook on life may exacerbate someone's emotional distress. It is also easy to disprove someone who thinks too highly of themselves. The impracticality of holding an unrealistically optimistic belief becomes apparent quickly and without any effort.

Making sure someone has a realistic understanding of the situation is the aim of cognitive therapy. It is reasonable to have a pessimistic outlook on some things because they are truly terrible. Positivity is correct since there are some genuinely wonderful situations. However, having an accurate assessment is helpful for addressing problems when things aren't going well. It could be beneficial to acknowledge and savour the moment if a scenario is truly favourable.