How Mindbody Relaxation Complements Psychotherapy

Both mindbody relaxation and psychotherapy help you improve your self-esteem, build better relationships, deal with past issues, and find happiness. In this page you’ll learn about the similarities between mindbody relaxation and psychotherapy, and see how mindbody relaxation can complement psychotherapy.

Ask your doctor or therapist if mindbody relaxation is right for you. Although relaxation can complement the work you do with your doctor or therapist it does not eliminate the need for their guidance.

How Distorted Beliefs Cause Unhappiness

One of the most common forms of psychotherapy used today is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).(1)Cognitive therapy is based on the idea that distorted beliefs make you unhappy and keep you stuck in your unhappiness.

For example, if you believe that you never get a break in life, that distorted belief will obviously make you unhappy. But it will also keep you stuck in your unhappiness because it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you believe that you never get a break, you will begin to behave that way, and eventually people will respond to you that way. Your distorted belief will keep you stuck in your unhappiness by sabotaging your ability to change.

Consider another example. Suppose you've always been told that you’ll never amount to anything. If you hear that often enough, after a while you may begin to believe it, and that can then become a distorted belief that can affect the way you approach the world. Or maybe you've been told that the only way you'll ever amount to anything is if you're always serious, hardworking, and maybe even a little unhappy.

It only takes a few distorted beliefs to change the course of your life. What may have started out as a small misconception can end up having a huge impact on your life. When people say they have "issues," they usually mean that they have distorted beliefs.

Mindbody relaxation works in a similar way to a cognitive therapy session. Cognitive therapy helps you recognize your distorted beliefs, let them go, and learn healthier beliefs in their place. Relaxation works in the same way. It is a model for self-change. Mindbody relaxation complements psychotherapy by helping you identify the tension that makes you unhappy, let it go, and learn a healthier way of living.

Common Distorted Beliefs

These are some of the distorted beliefs that trap people:(2)

All-or-None Thinking: "I have to do something almost perfectly, because anything less will be a failure." "Change is difficult because it means I have to change everything I'm used to."
Fortunetelling: "I know this won’t work. Nothing ever works for me."
Disqualifying the Positives: "I never get a break in life. My life feels like one negative after another."
Catastrophizing: "Now that this bad thing has happened, my whole day has been ruined. I'll be playing catch-up for the rest of the day."
Mind Reading: "I know they don’t like me."
Self-Labeling: "You don’t have to be nice to me. I know I screwed up. I’m a loser."
Disqualifying the Present: "I'll be able to relax later. But first I have to rush to finish this."

The Medical Evidence

Numerous studies have noted the similarities between cognitive behavioral therapy and mindbody relaxation. An article in the American Journal of Psychiatry noted that relaxation is “an effective cognitive technique for the development of self-awareness.”(3)

A review of the psychotherapy literature said that relaxation techniques “may, in some cases, be compatible with, and effective in, promoting the aims of psychotherapy – for example, cognitive and behavioral change.”(4)

Learn More

In Chapter 20 "How Relaxation Complements Psychotherapy" you'll learn:

How tension causes distorted beliefs
The similarities between mindbody relaxation and cognitive behavioral therapy
How mindbody relaxation helps you recognize your distorted beliefs, let them go, and build healthier beliefs
How mindbody relaxation helps caretakers - the people who take care of everybody else and usually put themselves last
How mindbody relaxation applies to anger management
The components of anger management therapy that are complemented by mindbody relaxation

You'll also learn:

The underlying causes of tension in greater detail
A simple but effective relaxation technique to let go of tension and change your life
The key to relaxing your body and mind
Simple breathing techniques that will help you let go of tension quickly
How to stay focused and deal with distractions
How and why relaxation works
The science and psychology behind relaxation
How relaxation feels
Answers to frequently asked questions about relaxation and meditation
Hints to help you overcome common obstacles
A one-month relaxation program that will help you integrate relaxation into your life
How to reduce anxiety and improve your sleep.

Next Page >

MAKE ROOM FOR HAPPINESS.ORG
A New Approach to Self-Help - excerpts from the book "Make Room for Happiness"
Home Four Laws of Happiness Self-Esteem Health & Heart Disease Relationships Weight Loss Depression Addiction Anxiety Pain Relief Psychotherapy Mindbody Relaxation See the Book The Author Recommended List Quotes Bibliography Website Policies Contact Press Room	How Mindbody Relaxation Complements Psychotherapy Both mindbody relaxation and psychotherapy help you improve your self-esteem, build better relationships, deal with past issues, and find happiness. In this page you’ll learn about the similarities between mindbody relaxation and psychotherapy, and see how mindbody relaxation can complement psychotherapy. *Ask your doctor or therapist if mindbody relaxation is right for you.* Although relaxation can complement the work you do with your doctor or therapist it does not eliminate the need for their guidance. How Distorted Beliefs Cause Unhappiness One of the most common forms of psychotherapy used today is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).(1)Cognitive therapy is based on the idea that distorted beliefs make you unhappy and keep you stuck in your unhappiness. For example, if you believe that you never get a break in life, that distorted belief will obviously make you unhappy. But it will also keep you stuck in your unhappiness because it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you believe that you never get a break, you will begin to behave that way, and eventually people will respond to you that way. Your distorted belief will keep you stuck in your unhappiness by sabotaging your ability to change. Consider another example. Suppose you've always been told that you’ll never amount to anything. If you hear that often enough, after a while you may begin to believe it, and that can then become a distorted belief that can affect the way you approach the world. Or maybe you've been told that the only way you'll ever amount to anything is if you're always serious, hardworking, and maybe even a little unhappy. It only takes a few distorted beliefs to change the course of your life. What may have started out as a small misconception can end up having a huge impact on your life. When people say they have "issues," they usually mean that they have distorted beliefs. Mindbody relaxation works in a similar way to a cognitive therapy session. Cognitive therapy helps you recognize your distorted beliefs, let them go, and learn healthier beliefs in their place. Relaxation works in the same way. It is a model for self-change. Mindbody relaxation complements psychotherapy by helping you identify the tension that makes you unhappy, let it go, and learn a healthier way of living. Common Distorted Beliefs These are some of the distorted beliefs that trap people:(2) All-or-None Thinking: "I have to do something almost perfectly, because anything less will be a failure." "Change is difficult because it means I have to change everything I'm used to." Fortunetelling: "I know this won’t work. Nothing ever works for me." Disqualifying the Positives: "I never get a break in life. My life feels like one negative after another." Catastrophizing: "Now that this bad thing has happened, my whole day has been ruined. I'll be playing catch-up for the rest of the day." Mind Reading: "I know they don’t like me." Self-Labeling: "You don’t have to be nice to me. I know I screwed up. I’m a loser." Disqualifying the Present: "I'll be able to relax later. But first I have to rush to finish this." The Medical Evidence Numerous studies have noted the similarities between cognitive behavioral therapy and mindbody relaxation. An article in the American Journal of Psychiatry noted that relaxation is “an effective cognitive technique for the development of self-awareness.”(3) A review of the psychotherapy literature said that relaxation techniques “may, in some cases, be compatible with, and effective in, promoting the aims of psychotherapy – for example, cognitive and behavioral change.”(4) Learn More In Chapter 20 "How Relaxation Complements Psychotherapy" you'll learn: How tension causes distorted beliefs The similarities between mindbody relaxation and cognitive behavioral therapy How mindbody relaxation helps you recognize your distorted beliefs, let them go, and build healthier beliefs How mindbody relaxation helps caretakers - the people who take care of everybody else and usually put themselves last How mindbody relaxation applies to anger management The components of anger management therapy that are complemented by mindbody relaxation You'll also learn: The underlying causes of tension in greater detail A simple but effective relaxation technique to let go of tension and change your life The key to relaxing your body and mind Simple breathing techniques that will help you let go of tension quickly How to stay focused and deal with distractions How and why relaxation works The science and psychology behind relaxation How relaxation feels Answers to frequently asked questions about relaxation and meditation Hints to help you overcome common obstacles A one-month relaxation program that will help you integrate relaxation into your life How to reduce anxiety and improve your sleep. Next Page >	See a larger image of the Book Read the First Chapter Read the Reviews Buy from Indigo.ca
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Learn about Cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT and mindbody relaxation. Similarities between Cognitive therapy, Cognitive behavior therapy, Cognitive therapy anxiety, and mindbody relaxation are discussed. The following are included: Cognitive therapy depression, Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT, Cognitive therapy Beck. Learn about anger management, anger management skills, and anger management techniques. Cognitive anger management, anger management counseling, and anger control are included. Learn about the similarities between Psychotherapy, Cognitive therapy techniques and relaxation techniques. Addiction Counselling and Cognitive behavioral therapy Counselling Toronto. Read how Mindbody Relaxation can improve your life from the book, Make Room for Happiness by Dr. Steven M. Melemis.