Cbt therapy and gaslighting

[Orbit]

I would suggest EMDR to deal with the underlying trauma.

 

[Debater Slayer]

Does anyone else have trouble with cbt therapy where they do as the therapist suggest try and change your thoughts but it just feels like you gaslighting yourself or you feel it's more of a bandaid and doesn't address the actual problems you dealing with? I mean it's helped in some ways but sometimes using the techniques I have been taught it feels like it hasn't been helpful and actually has made some issues worse

CBT and DBT have saved my life and are two of the most tested evidence-based therapeutic approaches, so no, I don't feel that way about either. However, it can be quite challenging to start dislodging old thought patterns and step out of one's comfort zone enough to analyze one's preconceived notions about what seems logical or emotionally satisfying. It takes a lot of patience, persistence, and practice. In my opinion, finding a trustworthy professional is crucial for guidance when adopting CBT and learning how to apply it on one's own.

 

[Debater Slayer]

Yes. It's very different from CBT and has different aims. In order to have "true" DBT, you have to go to a clinic that has both group and individual sessions. You go multiple times a week, and keep a binder with worksheets in it, have "homework" and such.

It's basically about learning coping skills for emotional dysregulation and mindfulness, so you can handle your intense emotions in the moment. It's mainly for people who have personality disorders like BPD and issues with things like self-harm, suicidal ideation and addiction (all of which tend to go together). I've found it very useful. The only problem is remembering the skills! You get to keep the binder, and I have mine from the last time I went. But at least you can go through it as many times as you want.

This. I can't emphasize enough just how helpful DBT has been for me (for a different issue; I don't have BPD or any other personality disorders), although I have only needed individual sessions and personal assignments rather than group sessions. Some of the skills I have learned were counterintuitive at first, but they have become a bedrock for my emotional regulation at this point.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Here is an amazing book that guides you through a detailed process of CBT, and gives you practice "tests".

I own a copy and it has helped my mental help tremendously, I occasionally will glance at it to reshape my perspective and way of thinking on things. Here it is:

Feeling Great: The Revolutionary New Treatment for Depression and Anxiety: David D. Burns: 9781683732884: Amazon.com: Books

Feeling Great: The Revolutionary New Treatment for Depression and Anxiety [David D. Burns] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Feeling Great: The Revolutionary New Treatment for Depression and Anxiety

www.amazon.com

 

[Ella S.]

I had the same experience with CBT. It isn't until I found an ACT specialist that I started making progress.

Interestingly enough, ACT is linked to a tradition in psychology that ultimately traces back to the Stoics through Spinoza, so maybe its particular approach is so useful to me because it already aligns so closely with my religious practice.

 

[Hermit Philosopher]

Does anyone else have trouble with cbt therapy where they do as the therapist suggest try and change your thoughts but it just feels like you gaslighting yourself or you feel it's more of a bandaid and doesn't address the actual problems you dealing with? I mean it's helped in some ways but sometimes using the techniques I have been taught it feels like it hasn't been helpful and actually has made some issues worse

CBT will not help you define or overcome the causes of your behavioural patterns. It is only effective in changing the patterns themselves.

I’d only recommend CBT to those who already know where their behavioural patterns stem from and have processed (come to terms/ peace with) that first - then CBT truly is very useful.


Humbly,
Hermit

 

[The Hammer]

I would suggest EMDR to deal with the underlying trauma.

Absolutely, this alone can work wonders for some.

 

[vulcanlogician]

I have tried CBT. It didn't really work for the issue I was having, but it did help to reframe some of my "automatic" thought patterns. It didn't appear to be gaslighting to me.

If you feel gaslit by your therapist, get a new one.

That's not to say that gaslighting is happening or not, but that isn't something you should have to worry about either way.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I had the same experience with CBT. It isn't until I found an ACT specialist that I started making progress.

Interestingly enough, ACT is linked to a tradition in psychology that ultimately traces back to the Stoics through Spinoza, so maybe its particular approach is so useful to me because it already aligns so closely with my religious practice.

I might have to look into that.