The first step in treatment is to analyse the frequency, precipitants and consequences of irrational thoughts, especially those that are self-critical and self- defeating.
The patient's attention is drawn to the thoughts, and is asked to assess their validity in a Socratic dialogue.
As therapy progresses, the personal assumptions that underlie these thoughts are elucidated and examined, and questioned.
Eventually the patient is helped to think and therefore feel more positively about themself.
Positive experiences and achievements are emphasized to reinforce the cognitive change.
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