Cognitive Restructuring Theory



Cognitive Restructuring Theory

Purpose of Cognitive Restructuring Theory

Cognitive Restructuring is used as a tool to analyse and replace the negative thinking of an individual. The negative thoughts of an individual are turned into more positive approaches and thoughts to help the individual in his daily life to overcome issues like anger, stress and anxiety. The unpleasant thoughts are not productive for and individual and diminish quality of work and life. The basic problem lies with the individual's interpretation of the environment around him. Interpreting the environment as incorrect changes the thinking pattern of an individual which in return drives his mood and emotions accordingly. Cognitive restructuring helps in rationalizing these interpretations, which help in individuals making logical and wise interpretations (Dublin, 2012).

The main focus of cognitive restructuring is to change the frequency and structuring of a thought and then changing the experiences. It helps in changing the content of the thought which is occurring and then finding or creating alternative thoughts in order to avoid the negative thoughts. The application of Cognitive restructuring tool is to identify the harmful or depressing thoughts when and individual is angry, sad or depressed and then coping with these situations in a positive manner (Deffenbacher, 2009).

Helping Tom in Anger Management

Cognitive restructuring theory can help Tom in identification of negative thoughts which he face while driving or performing any task in his life. This theory can help Tom in improving his interaction with daily driving conditions and the environment which he witnesses over the period of time. This tool is helpful in managing the thought process. Similarly Tom can manage the thought process by indentifying the cause of the thought and then restructure the thought to ensure that negative thoughts do not reoccur instead replace them with positive thoughts. These negative thoughts ...