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Old Feb 21, 2017, 11:10 AM
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lucozader lucozader is offline
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Member Since: Feb 2017
Location: UK
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DechanDawa View Post
I just started CBT. I have a counselor who checks in once weekly. And I picked up two books...one on living rationally, the other a CBT workbook. The counselor and the workbook (initial chapter) 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)
For me when I had CBT addressing my behaviours was much more useful than trying to tackle my thoughts. In my case, though, it was mostly concerning a specific phobia that was affecting my behaviour quite seriously. If the therapy is being tailored to you and modifying your thoughts is more important to you then I think it is what should be addressed first. Not sure if that helps answer your question?
Thanks for this!
DechanDawa