We should not always believe everything we think!

We all have mental models (beliefs, assumptions, opinions) about how the world works. However, sometimes our thoughts might not be as accurate as we think. Coaches assist the clients in identifying and labelling unhelpful mental models that get in our way and in altering them.

Cognitive behavioural coaching

Cognitive behavioural coaching helps us use skills to understand how our thoughts are linked to uncomfortable feelings. We should check if these thoughts are accurate and, if not, adjust them to be more accurate. This coaching approach empowers clients to recognize, examine, and change restrictive, self-limiting thoughts and beliefs. It helps them develop more effective behaviours while enhancing their capability to manage emotions.

Self-defeating thoughts and beliefs

Coaching assists individuals in unlocking their full potential to achieve their goals. Yet, clients may have a lot of self-limiting thoughts that clash with a goal-oriented mindset, requiring coaches to navigate and address such situations.

Some people tend to think in extremes, especially when something bad happens. These extreme thoughts are known as cognitive distortions (they are often called 'common cognitive distortions' or CCDs.).

Cognitive Distortions

All or Nothing

Overgeneralization

Mental Filter

Disqualifying the positive

Jumping to Conclusions

Catastrophising

Emotional Reasoning

Musts and Shoulds

Personalisation

Perfectionism

Labelling

Fallacy of Fairness

In the end, the client might be able to challenge and change these distorted thoughts, in effect 'unlearn' them. But it is important for the coach and the client to recognize that these distortions are usually 'the habit of a lifetime'. Even a short break from them could still be beneficial for the client to reach their goals.