Cognitive restructuring typically involves several key steps:
Identifying Negative Thoughts: The first step is to become aware of the negative thoughts that are causing distress. These might include thoughts like "I'm a bad parent" or "My baby will never get better." Challenging Negative Thoughts: Once identified, these thoughts are examined for their validity. Questions like "Is this thought based on facts?" or "What evidence do I have that this thought is true?" help in this process. Replacing Negative Thoughts: The final step is to replace these negative thoughts with more positive and realistic ones. For example, "I'm doing my best for my baby" or "Many babies recover well from this condition."
