4.4 • 856 Ratings
🗓️ 13 July 2020
⏱️ 50 minutes
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Today, the Cognitive Distortion Starter Kit Continues with
Labeling
Rhonda begins by reading two beautiful, inspiring emails from listeners, and I give a brief shout out for my new book, Feeling Great, which can be pre-ordered on Amazon now (see below for the link).
Rhonda and David begin with a brief overview of Labeling. There are two types of Labeling: Self-Labeling and Other-Labeling:
Self-Labeling is where you attach a negative label to yourself, such as "I'm a loser," or "I'm a failure." Self-Labeling can be further divided into Labeling your role or Labeling your "self."
Here are some examples of Labeling your role: "I'm a bad father," or "I'm a bad mother," or "I'm a lousy teacher," and so forth.
Here are some examples of Labeling your "self:" "I'm a loser," or "a failure," or "worthless," or "defective."
Other-labeling is exactly the same, except that it's directed at some other person, as in "he's a jerk," or "she's a loser."
Labeling can be extremely hurtful, causing intense depression and anxiety, as well as anger, hatred and rage. However, labeling is a distortion, because a human being cannot be captured by a label. Humans are more like rivers that flow--in this direction and that direction, without a specific "shape." We have many, many dimensions, perhaps an infinite number!
Many techniques can be helpful for Labeling, but it is always necessary to use any technique in the context of working systematically with the TEAM model, and doing great T = Testing, E = Empathy and A = Assessment of Resistance before trying any M = Methods. It's almost never a good idea to throw techniques at patients without these other vitally important steps first. And if you're working on yourself, it will be vitally important to do the A step before the M step too!
David and Rhonda illustrate two techniques that can be especially helpful for Labeling: Let's Define Terms and Be Specific. They do a role play to bring the first technique to life, and play an actual recording of a portion of a TEAM session to bring the second technique to life.
We are nearing the end of the distortion series, but still have three hugely important distortions to discuss:
Thank so much for listening. If you like our podcasts, tell your friends, colleagues, and patients about them! This is all volunteer work, so our only marketing budget is your good will. Each month our downloads are increasing, thanks to you, and we will hit three million downloads early next year or late this year.
Rhonda and David
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0:00.0 | Hello and welcome to the Feeling Good podcast, where you can learn powerful techniques to change the way you feel. |
0:16.3 | I am your host, Rhonda Borovsky, and joining me here in the Murrieta studio is Dr. David Burns. |
0:22.6 | Dr. David Burns is a pioneer in the development of cognitive behavioral therapy and the creator of the new team therapy. |
0:29.6 | He is the author of Feeling Good, which has sold over 5 million copies in the United States and has been translated into over 30 languages. |
0:38.3 | David is currently an emeritus adjunct professor of clinical psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine. |
0:44.3 | Lou Ronda. |
0:48.3 | Oh my God, that's so funny. |
0:55.0 | And welcome everyone to episode 1.99. |
0:59.0 | This is our seventh in our series of how to crush negative thoughts. |
1:04.0 | Today we're going to be talking about labeling. |
1:08.0 | Before we go into that, I think we have had a flood of fabulous emails, and we're just going to read two of them to you. |
1:18.2 | And then I want to put in a little plug for my new book, Feeling Great, which you can pre-order now on Amazon. |
1:26.0 | And it will be out in September, and it's for the general public as well |
1:31.8 | as for mental health professionals and if you pre-order it then it will count on the day the |
1:40.6 | book is released for its standing on the best sellerller list, so that would be a huge benefit to me. |
1:48.5 | And now for some beautiful praise for our wonderful Rhonda. |
1:53.2 | Well, thank you so much. |
1:54.5 | David is encouraging me to read these other. |
1:56.7 | They're a little embarrassing. |
1:58.3 | This first one is from Victoria, and she's writing all the way from Mexico City, and she wrote, |
2:03.9 | Hello, Rhonda. |
2:05.3 | I've listened to your Corona podcasts. |
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