ABCs of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Nuggets
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The ABCs of cognitive behavioral therapy are a foundational skill in therapy. The ABCs involve recognizing an activating event, the consequences of that event, and the beliefs that contribute to our reaction. An example of an activating event is getting cut off in traffic, which can lead to anger and physical reactions like increased blood pressure and racing heart. The beliefs that contribute to this reaction are often automatic and unhelpful, such as assuming the other driver was being rude or thinking that a car accident was imminent. To address these beliefs, it is important to dispute them based on facts. For example, it may be true that the other driver didn't see you because you were in their blind spot. By evaluating the effectiveness of our reactions based on factual beliefs, we can determine if our energy and time are being used in ways that align with our rich and meaningful life. It is often not effective to hold onto anger or get upset at someone who cut us off in traffic, as it doesn't change their behavior and only keeps us stirred up. Choosing a more effective reaction, such as backing off and avoiding the unsafe driver, can be a better use of our energy.
The ABCs of cognitive behavioral therapy are a foundational skill in therapy. The ABCs involve recog