Cognitive Restructuring

COGNITIVE RESTRUCTURING
DR. AARON BECK

Cognitive restructuring is used to treat a variety of issues and concerns, including (but not limited to) low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, grief, and PTSD, schizophrenia. It is used to identify negative core beliefs which prevent a person from engaging life in rational ways.

Here is a video of Dr. Aaron Beck describing the use of cognitive restructuring to reframe the thought process of a schizophrenic client. As he says, its trying to formulate what is driving the behavior and once youve made the formulation you do the therapy.

YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG0w1Ig3eyA

COGNITIVE RESTRUCTURING: TRUTH CARDS

A helpful technique which aids in cognitive restructuring is the use of Truth Cards. These can be printed and cut into business card sized paper and carried around in your in wallet or pocket to help you remember to choose truth over feelings. Across the top of the card, write any issue you are struggling with. On the first line, write a negative feeling you have related to that issue. On the lines below, write one truthful, positive statement which counters the negative feeling. This technique can assist in identifying a negative core belief and reframe it into a positive intentional belief based on truth, not on feeling.

Truth Card - Abandonment

I feel ___________________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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Truth Card - RELATIONSHIPS

I feel ___________________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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Truth Card – WHO I AM

I feel ___________________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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Truth Card - SINGLENESS

I feel ___________________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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Truth Card - FEAR

I feel ___________________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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Truth Card – SHAME

I feel ___________________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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Truth Card – MY MOM

I feel ___________________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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Truth Card – MY DAD

I feel ___________________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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Truth Card – FINANCES

I feel ___________________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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Truth Card – THE PAST

I feel ___________________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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The truth is ______________________________

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