Cognitive Restructuring - Overview

Overview

Cognitive restructuring involves four steps:

1. Identification of problematic cognitions known as "automatic thoughts" (ATs) which are dysfunctional or negative views of the self, world, or future
2. Identification of the cognitive distortions in the ATs
3. Rational disputation of ATs with the Socratic dialogue
4. Development of a rational rebuttal to the ATs

There are six types of automatic thoughts:

1. Self-evaluated thoughts
2. Thoughts about the evaluations of others
3. Evaluative thoughts about the other person with whom they are interacting
4. Thoughts about coping strategies and behavioral plan
5. Thoughts of avoidance
6. Any other thoughts that were not categorized