Chapter 21 - Cognitive Restructuring

Cognitive restructuring is a technique that emerged from cognitive therapy and is typically used with clients who need help replacing negative thoughts and interpretations with more positive thoughts and actions. There is a seven step process to follow when implementing this technique: gather background information about how client handled past problems, assist the client in becoming aware of their thought process, examine the process of rational thinking, provide assistance to the client, help the client to learn how to change internal beliefs and assumptions, go over the rational thought process again, and combine thought stopping with relaxation until logical patterns become set. The book portrays the cognitive restructuring technique being used for a client who was having relationship issues. The counselor first helped the client to identify where her anger toward her partner was coming from. The counselor then helped her to identify that there might be other ways she could perceive her partner’s behaviors and that her negative reactions might have been a little extreme. This technique can also be used with clients who may have fear or anxiety in certain situations, such as with tests, social situations, or public speaking. I felt like this technique was very similar to thought stopping and reframing. All three techniques deal with identifying negative thought processes and restructuring them into positive thoughts. I can see how all three techniques can be incredibly useful in a variety of counseling situations. They can be used with any negative thought processes ranging from cases of worry about a certain situation to more extreme cases like phobias or even depression.