Cognitive therapy and NLP approaches to combat depressive and anxious thinking

Changing the way you think in order to improve the way you feel, forms the basis of cognitive approaches to mental-wellbeing. Cognitive therapies recognise that our thoughts can “colour” our experience of the outside world. Depressed people (i.e. people with depressed or depressing thoughts!) experience the world differently to others. They see colours less vividly, food can seem tasteless and unpleasant, and harmless everyday situations can appear threatening. They predict bad consequences from actions and events where others see only benefit. A depressed persons world is very different

to a happy person’s, but to an observer they will seem one and the same.

Cognitive therapy and related approaches such as NLP (neuro-linguistic-programming) are very effective at helping people recognise the thinking habits behind problems such as depression, anxiety, panic disorders and phobias. There are many cognitive techniques for challenging negative thinking patterns and developing new more adaptive ways of thinking. If you are considering cognitive therapy, expect to commit to homework tasks and regular practise of these techniques.

Negative thoughts are usually fairly easily identifiable with the help of a therapist. In order to bring about a more global change, it’s often necessary to go beyond the thoughts we have to deeper levels of our cognition -our beliefs.

As an cognitive therapist, practising CBT and NLP in Hertfordshire, people often come to see me at my NLP and CBT therapy practice, Herts because they are having problems with limiting beliefs, e.g. “No one could find me attractive”, “I’m useless in social situations”, “I’m bad at presentations”. Of course, they are often not aware that their belief is the source of their unhappiness when they initially come to see me. Limiting beliefs hold people back and prevent them from doing things they want too. When we believe we cant do something our behaviour will usually confirm this. As discussed above, you will act in a way and look out for evidence to confirm your beliefs.

NLP and CBT therapy, Herts has effective techniques for changing illogical beliefs that can allow you to experience the world through a new pair of glasses.