Re:emdr,depression and cognitive distortions

To the 2nd client above with the question about what a cognitive distortion is, and a cognitive interweave.

A cognitive distortion is a belief that a client has, that is not particularly born out by the facts. Usually they are learned in childhood, and tend to cast a filter over everything perceived subsequently.

Cognitive therapy, and EMDR falls into that category among others, seeks to help the client attain more adaptive beliefs.

One strategy used is to teach the client to ask these qustions:

1) what is the evidence for what I believe
2) is there any other possible interpretation for that evidence
3) if the worst happened, what could I do then
4) even if it were true, it is helping or hurting my life to believe what I believe.

You may wish to go to one of the sites about cognitive distortions and cognitive therapy to learn more.

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