Test how real your assumptions are and you might change your life.
Thomas Barwick/ Stone / Getty Images Plus
What you think and believe isn’t always true.
But holding onto some of those beliefs might cause you to suffer.
Thomas Barwick/ Stone / Getty Images Plus
When this happens, psychotherapists sometimes encourage clients to perform behavioral experiments that test the reality of their beliefs.
Its a powerfulcognitive behavioral therapytechnique that can help people recognize that their assumptions arent necessarily accurate.
So, how can you learn these behavioral techniques to break yourself out of your self-limiting beliefs?
Read on to find out.
In CBT, your therapist helps identify inaccurate thoughts and thought patterns that contribute to the problem.
Therapists often ask questions that help clients look for exceptions to their rules and assumptions.
This can help you see that your assumptions arent 100% accurate.
But changing thought patterns isn’t always effective in changing deeply held core beliefs.
This is in part because were constantly looking for evidence that supports our beliefs.
If you accomplish something you assumed you couldnt do, you may begin to see yourself differently.
The Process
Behavioral experiments can take many forms.
Then, you’ll conduct the experiment and monitor the results.
You and your therapist will then debrief together and discuss how the results affect your belief system.
Your therapist may prescribe further experiments or ongoing experiments to continue to assess unhealthy beliefs.
If you arent sure where to find one, speak to your physician.
Your doctor may be able to refer a cognitive behavioral therapist who can assist you.
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