Our thinking patterns can sometimes lead us astray, creating unhelpful and inaccurate perceptions of the world. These mental shortcuts, known as cognitive distortions, are often automatic and can distort our reality. Recognizing these traps is the crucial step in overcoming them and cultivating a more balanced view of ourselves and our experiences.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) provides powerful tool for understanding your thoughts and how they influence your feelings and behaviors. A core idea of CBT centers around challenging negative or unhelpful thought patterns. When you recognize these thoughts, CBT guides you to question their accuracy. This process can help you to build more bal