I just started CBT. I have a counselor who checks in by phoning me once weekly. And I picked up two books...one on living rationally (by Albert Ellis), the other a CBT workbook. The counselor and the workbook (initial chapters) is focusing more on behaviors than thoughts. Is this how others have done it? For instance...I have a list of things to do to get out of the house such as go have coffee, go shopping, go out to exercise etc. I find that even when I am doing these things I still feel pretty depressed. The thing missing in my life is social interaction and just going to the library doesn't do it. So I usually just end up ruminating about needing to find work and then I get lost in my thoughts.

I just would like to know for others who have done CBT...are behaviors first emphasized?

(I have a lot of negative thought patterns...but I can also conjure up positive thoughts and have been trying to record both in a journal)