So CBT is basically a bag of tricks. It gets you thinking about the thoughts behind your thoughts---so like I said I thought I was stupid, but my therapist point by point challenged that contention---the nail in the coffin was that I had worked for my current boss for 10 years and would she keep me on if I were stupid? My boss is an MD with a masters who is also section chief so she wouldn't settle for stupid.

One of my favorite things I learned from CBT was self care. If you start to feel a little down its best to stop it before it starts. So pull together three or more of your favorite things and do them all at once. For me I liked going to the zoo to take pictures of the plants and animals, but I added to that listening to favorite tunes on mp3 and buying cotton candy. So if a little bit makes you smile a lot at once will make you happy.

There's more but really you need a therapist to guide you---the books just don't work as well. But I have to say the DBT emgreen suggested sounds awfully cool too!