Revealing the Hidden Meanings of Irrational Thoughts
Channel: Doc Snipes
Date: 2017-06-02

Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Qualified Clinical Supervisor.  She received her PhD in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Florida in 2002.  In addition to being a practicing clinician, she has provided training to counselors, social workers, nurses and case managers internationally since 2006 through AllCEUs.com A direct link to the CEU course is https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/497/c/

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What are Thinking Errors
~ Cognitive Distortions take a thought and manipulate it to
~ Fulfil your expectations of a situation
~ Conform to your current head space (negative begets negative)
~ Irrational Thoughts are beliefs/thoughts that you may hold that
~ Are usually extreme (I must have love and approval from everyone all the time)
~ Are unrealistic
~ Create feelings of failure, inadequacy, disempowerment
A Note About Irrationality
~ The origins of most beliefs were rational and helpful given:
~ The information the person had at the time
~ The cognitive development (ability to process that information)
~ “Irrationality” or unhelpfulness of thoughts comes when those beliefs are:
~ Perpetuated without examination
~ Continue to be held despite causing harm to the person
Sometimes it is more productive for clients to think of these thoughts as “unhelpful” instead of “irrational.”
Irrational Beliefs
~ If I make a mistake, it means that I am incompetent.
~ When somebody disagrees with me, it is a personal attack.
~ I must be liked by all people.
~ My true value depends on what others think of me.
~ If I am not in a relationship, I am completely alone.
~ Success and failure are black and white.  There is no gray.
Evaluate how thinking errors can play into our basic fears: Rejection, isolation, the unknown, loss of control, failure
Irrational Beliefs
~ Nothing ever turns out the way you want it to.
~ If the outcome was not perfect, it was a complete failure.
~ If something bad happens, it is my fault.
~ The past always repeats itself.
~ If it was true then, it must be true now.
Evaluate how thinking errors can play into our basic fears: Rejection, isolation, the unknown, loss of control, failure
Irrational Thoughts Quick Help
~ What is upsetting me?
~ Why is this upsetting me?
~ What are the FACTS for and against this belief
~ Am I reacting based on facts or feelings?
~ What cognitive distortions am I using?
~ What irrational thoughts am I using?

00:00 Introduction to irrational thoughts and cognitive behavioral therapy
02:00 Definition of thinking errors and cognitive distortions
04:30 Impact of irrational thoughts on fear of rejection, isolation, and failure
06:45 How irrational thoughts activate the stress response
09:00 Evaluating unhelpful thoughts and managing fears
12:00 The role of negative thinking patterns in maintaining misery
15:00 How cognitive distortions worsen depression and anxiety
18:00 Addressing automatic negative thoughts in therapy
21:00 Helping clients understand the probability of worst-case scenarios
24:00 Strategies to challenge irrational beliefs and unhelpful thoughts
28:00 The effect of personalizing and catastrophizing situations
32:00 Rewriting negative self-talk for better emotional management
36:00 How cognitive distortions contribute to self-criticism
40:00 Managing cognitive distortions to reduce stress and anxiety
44:00 Addressing irrational fears around rejection and control
48:00 Techniques to increase self-awareness of unhelpful thoughts
52:00 Conclusion and strategies for overcoming thinking errors