It is much easier if we have a plan. The plan is a very important tool that can bring a benefit of feeling safe and secure but also a sense of hope. During a first session usually patients want to share everything about themselves. They often notice that maybe it is too much. Not really. The chaos will be organized and we are going to put everything at place. There are different approaches in this regard. Some encourage spontaneity and free flow. CBT therapy uses rational approach which is about understanding the system of events, behavior, thoughts and emotions that influence your struggles. Is it not easier to know how things work? Spontaneity can bring benefits too but in my opinion knowing how the system of influences work will bring benefits of being your own psychotherapist in the future. That is why CBT psychoeducation is soooo important. CBT therapy teaches you how to practise first with a help of psychotherapist and then you will be empowered by helping yourself. Let me give you example. So you suffer from anxiety. You give several situations were anxiety was high. We are searching for triggers, your thoughts that were popping out at this time, the context, your behavior and reaction before and during a situation with the ones after that. Then by knowing the chain of events and influences we can focus and target particular parts that contribute to an intensity of emotions. in CBT therapy mostly we focus on behavior and cognition. We study your defense behaviors and your patterns of thinking that include cognitive biases. Yes, you can do it on your own but by having an objective participant that will not have any business with self pleasing and confirmation biases can give you much more benefits for your self discovery.
Stay open.
