Every time you feel depressed about something, try to identify a corresponding negative thought you had just prior to and during the depression. Because these thoughts have actually created your bad mood, by learning to restructure them, you can change your mood. David D. Burns badchangecreate share on social
Although no one treatment will ever be a panacea, research studies indicate that cognitive therapy can be helpful for a variety of disorders in addition to depression. David D. Burns additioncognitivedepression Change image and share on social
It's very rare to have a patient who isn't absolutely delighted when you say, 'I read your feedback. The session didn't go well. You actually got more upset, and I made about three really horrible errors.' If you do that from the heart and not as a gimmick, boy, it's a wonderful thing. David D. Burns absolutelyboydelight share on social
There is no standard 'therapeutic process,' since there are so many different schools of therapy. David D. Burns processschoolstandard Change image and share on social
I always wanted to see people's lives transformed from depression and anxiety to joy and peace. David D. Burns anxietydepressionjoy Change image and share on social
I've been interviewed for hundreds of magazine articles, and they come out incredibly goofy about 90 percent of the time. David D. Burns articlegoofyhave Change image and share on social
Therapy is not to 'talk about' things, but to change the person's life, and to relieve suffering, such as depression, anxiety, or relationship problems. David D. Burns anxietychangedepression Change image and share on social
There is no 'ultimate goal of therapy.' Thinking there is some ultimate or universal goal of therapy is one of the most fundamental errors of our field. To me, that concept is rather arrogant, as if therapists were some kind of spiritual experts who knew what human beings are supposed to be like. David D. Burns arrogantbeingconcept share on social
Learning to accept failure on multiple levels is, to my way of thinking, the key to become a world-class therapist. But that means humility, and setting your ego aside, while you develop superb new technical skills. David D. Burns acceptclassdevelop share on social
The stereotype of psychotherapy portrayed in popular books and movies is lying on the couch and saying whatever comes into your mind, while a kindly psychoanalyst listens and nods knowingly from time to time. After years and years, something wonderful is supposed to happen. David D. Burns bookcouchhappen share on social