I will utilize Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to discover the intermediate and core beliefs that are fueling negative automatic thoughts I experience while running. An overview of CBT will be presented before the presenting issue will be analyzed within the CBT framework. Lastly, two CBT techniques, imagery-changing and behavioral and emotive techniques will be suggested as ways for the client to increase their consistency in training while slowly undoing cognitive distortions and restoring the client’s sense of ability and worth.
Synopsis of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
The goal of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is to assist clients in changing or reinforcing a controllable behavior and includes an analysis of the cognitive …show more content…
The negative and untrue nature of these automatic thoughts show that I have cognitive distortions affecting my ability to stay positive while training, although it is not readily apparent what those cognitive distortions are. Working backwards, we can identify probable immediate and core beliefs that will reveal the degree to which cognitive distortions are influencing my behavior. Since I am upset that I can’t run like I once did and thus shouldn’t run at all, I have the intermediate rule that if I’m going to run, I have to run at competitive speeds and distances. I also have the intermediate attitude that I’m simply not a good runner anymore, and there’s nothing I can do about it. Both of these intermediate beliefs result in me quitting a run early or not going out at …show more content…
Inadequacy was definitely the core belief that caused my disordered eating, and now that same core belief is causing other distorted intermediate beliefs, hindering my ability to successfully run. Since the major theme of my automatic thoughts is that I shouldn’t run because I’m not where I once was, it’s clear that I fear the fact that when I begin training, I will have to run slower, shorter distances and progressively work to go faster and further. In the mean time, I fear running, because I will not be able to perform to my expectations, and thus will be confirming the belief that I am inadequate.
Techniques to Improve Running Distances
CBT will be the best therapy to implement in order to improve my running habits, because CBT will allow me to challenge the rules and assumptions that are causing me to quit. I would be forced to confront my core belief that I am inadequate, and imagery-changing and behavioral and emotive techniques will assist me in undoing some of the cognitive distortions causing dysfunction while actively improving my running habits along the way.