Cognitive Behavioural Therapy & Happiness

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a therapeutic tool based on the assumption that our cognitions-our thoughts and beliefs- determine the way we feel. Unlike using positive affirmations, CBT places an emphasis on the development of healthy, realistic cognitions by challenging the thoughts and beliefs that make us feel bad.

Most people have patterns of thinking that contribute to their distress, including black and white thinking, overgeneralising, awfulising and jumping to negative conclusions. CBT teaches us that we need to identify the thinking patterns that contribute to upsetting emotions.

What CBT teaches us about happiness is that our ability to be happy is largely determined by the perception of our own worth. The way we feel about ourselves is determined by factors such as inherent personality traits, childhood and life experiences, messages from others and influence by mass media. Faulty thinking about ourselves in this instance includes comparing our situation to others, rating worth on the basis of achievement, excessive need for approval, overgeneralising and labelling ourselves. Healthy thinking therefore involves self acceptance and flexibility in our thinking – people are all have individual differences and strengths.

It is important for us to focus our efforts on situations that are within our control. We need to recognise our obstacles to living a happy and prosperous life and stay focused and motivated to overcome them. I wish you the very best in your endeavours.