Cognitive-Behavior Interventions for Self-Defeating Thoughts: Helping Clients to Overcome the Tyranny of “I Can’t”

Cover
Endorsements
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
	Capacity Disavowals
	Overview of this Book
	Practice Sections
	Influences on the Theory Advanced Here
	Feelings and Cognition in a Logic-Based Approach
	Three Interdependent Levels of Cognitive Processing
	Guiding Virtues and Their Philosophical Interpretations
	Person-Centered Orientation
	Six-Step Methodology
	Note
	References
Part I: Overcoming "I Can't" in Self-Defeating Reasoning: A Logic-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Approach
1. Logic and Language
	Self-Disturbing Speech Acts
	Ellis' ABC Theory
	The Intentionality of Emotions
	Emotions as Complex Linguistic Activities
	Constructing the Client's Primary Syllogism
	Notes
	References
2. Capacity Disavowals in Syllogism Chains
	Negative Emotion Syllogism Chains
		Disavowals of Freedom Using "I Can't"
		Reportative Fallacies in Negative Emotion Syllogism Chains
		Perfectionistic Demands in Negative Emotion Syllogism Chains
	Refutation
		Types of Refutation
			Empirical Refutation
			Logical Refutation
			Pragmatic Refutation
			Directly Refuting a Capacity Disavowal
	Notes
	References
3. Guiding Virtues and Their Uplifting Philosophies
	Guiding Virtues
	Guiding Virtues as Habits
	Behavioral Syllogisms of Virtuous Conduct
	The Role of Uplifting Philosophies in Supporting Behavioral Rules
	Cognitive Dissonance
	Notes
	References
4. Applying Philosophies in a Cognitive-Behavioral Plan
	Philosophical (Cognitive) Reframing Assignments
		In Vivo Practice
		Interoceptive Imagery
		Ongoing Life Issues
		Shame Attacking Exercises
		Risk-Taking Exercises
		Tackling Major Life Challenges
	Positive Reinforcement
	Meditation
	Philosophical Bibliotherapy
	Other Bibliotherapy
		Worksheets
	Further Philosophical Resources
	Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions
	Notes
	References
Part II: Neurological Correlates
5. Neuropsychology of a Logic-Based Therapy
	The Human Brain's Deductive System for Emotional Reasoning
	The Role of the Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex in Mental Disorders: Implications for a Logic-Based Model
	The Parameters of Human Control: The Role of the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex
		Exercising Discretion
			Reappraising a Situation
		Exercising Volitional Self-Control
	The Neurological Axis of Control: A Logic-Based Model
	Conflict Between the Amygdala and VMPFC
		The Role of the Striatum in Behavioral Responses
			Approach-Avoidance Conflict
			Building Virtuous Habits to Overcome Approach-Avoidance Conflicts
	Neuropsychology of Syllogism Chains
		The Phenomenological Level
		The Neurological Level
		Some Implications of the Logic-Based Theory
	Neuropsychology of Capacity Disavowals
	Neurology of Refutation
	Notes
	References
6. Neuropsychology of Guiding Virtues and Their Philosophies
	Cognitive Dissonance
		Uplifting Philosophies
	Neuropsychology of Meditative Practice
		Mindfulness
		Compassion-Based Meditation
	Theory and Application
	Note
	References
Part III: Overcoming Common Types of Capacity Disavowal
7. Risk-Avoidant Capacity Disavowals
	Types of Actions Risk-Avoidant Clients Avoid
	The Role of Uncertainty in Risk-Avoidance
	Risk-Avoidant Syllogism Chains
	Step 1: Formulating the Primary Syllogism Using O + R
	Step 2: Expanding the Syllogism Chain
		Expanding the Chain to the Top: Exposing the Demand for Certainty
			Catastrophizing by Self- or Existential Damnation
		Expanding the Syllogism Chain to the Bottom: Deducing the Risk-Avoidant Capacity Disavowal
	Step 3: Identifying and Refuting Self-Defeating Speech Acts in the Chain
		Indirect Refutation
		Direct Refutation
	Step 4: Identifying the Guiding Virtues
	Step 5: Finding an Uplifting Philosophy
		Philosophies of Courage
			Moderation Through Use of Reason
			Knowledge as an Antidote to Fear
		Philosophies of Foresightedness
			Probability and Reasonableness
		Existentialism
		Pragmatism
	Step 6: Constructing a Plan to Apply the Philosophies
		Three Questions to Pose to Clients
		Some Cognitive-Behavioral Assignments for Risk-Avoidant Clients
			Risk-Taking Exercises
			Interoceptive Imagery
			Systematic Tackling of Major Behavioral Challenges
		Worksheets
		Bibliotherapy
	Notes
	References
8. Low-Frustrative Capacity Disavowals
	Emotional Problems Arising from Low-Frustration Tolerance
	Types of Situations Low-Frustrative Clients Tend to Avoid
	Low-Frustrative Syllogism Chains
	Step 1: Formulating the Primary Syllogism Using O & R
	Step 2: Expanding the Syllogism Chain
	Step 3: Identifying and Refuting Self-Defeating Speech Acts in the Chain
	Step 4: Identifying the Guiding Virtues
	Step 5: Finding an Uplifting Philosophy
		Philosophies of Prudence
			Sober Reasoning, Not Immediate Gratification
			The Hedonic Calculus
			Buddhism: Compassion for Others
		Philosophies of Patience
			Stoicism
			Letting the "Mud" Settle: Use of Metaphor in Eastern Philosophy
		Philosophies of Perseverance
			Overcoming Obstacles through Zestful Vigor
			Failure as a Stimulus and Guide to Success
			Enjoying the Journey: The Pleasure Is in the Activity or Pursuit
	Step 6: Constructing a Plan to Apply the Philosophies
		Cognitive-Behavioral Assignments for Low-Frustrative Clients
			Interoceptive Imagery
			Mindfulness Meditation
			Compassion Meditation
			In Vivo Practice
			Systematic Tackling of Major Life Challenges
	Note
	References
9. Blame-Based Capacity Disavowals
	Blame-Based Syllogism Chains
		Anger Chains
		Depression Chains
	Step 1: Formulating the Primary Syllogism Using O & R
	Step 2: Expanding the Syllogism Chain
	Step 3: Identifying and Refuting Self-Defeating Speech Acts in the Chain
	Step 4: Identifying the Guiding Virtues
	Step 5: Finding an Uplifting Philosophy
		Philosophies of Courage
			Reframe Misfortune as an Opportunity to Grow Stronger
		Philosophies of Other and World Acceptance
			Speaking "I Thou" to Others
			What Is True of the Part Is Not Necessarily True of the Whole
		Philosophies of Temperance
			You Make Yourself Angry
			You Also Make Yourself Depressed
	Step 6: Constructing a Plan to Apply the Philosophies
		Question 1: In What Ways Has Not Controlling Your Feelings Negatively Impacted Your Life, or the Lives of Others?
		Question 2: What Changes Would Your Uplifting Philosophies Prescribe?
		Question 3: How Are You to Make These Constructive Changes?
		Cognitive Behavioral Assignments for Clients with Blame-Based Capacity Disavowals
			Compassion-Based Meditation
			Interoceptive Imagery
			In Vivo Practice
			Tackling Major Problems
			Bibliotherapy
	Notes
	References
10. Phobic Capacity Disavowals
	Phobic Disavowal Syllogism Chains
	Step 1: Formulating the Primary Syllogism Using O & R
		Syllogism Chain A
	Step 2: Expanding the Syllogism Chain
		Syllogism Chain B
		Syllogism Chain C
	Step 3: Identifying and Refuting Self-Defeating Speech Acts in the Chain
	Step 4: Identifying the Guiding Virtues
	Step 5: Finding an Uplifting Philosophy
		Philosophies of Foresightedness
			The Pragmatic Theory of Truth
			The Duty to Seek the Truth
		Philosophies of Courage
			Death Is Nothing Terrible Anyway
			Death May Be a Good Thing
			Death Is Nothing to the Living or the Dead
		Philosophies of Continence
			Yoga's Transcendence of Fear
			Human Beings Unlike Other Animals Have the Power of Rational Choice
			Freedom and Responsibility, Not Bad Faith
	Step 6: Constructing a Plan to Apply the Philosophies
		Question 1: In What Ways Has Your Phobia Negatively Impacted Your Life and/or the Lives of Others?
		Question 2: What Changes Would Your Uplifting Philosophies Prescribe?
		Question 3: How Are You to Make These Constructive Changes?
		Cognitive Behavioral Assignments for Clients with Phobic Disavowals
			Cognitive Reframing Exercises
			Systematic Exposure
			Mindfulness: Yoga Meditation
		Bibliotherapy
	Notes
	References
11. Hyper-Egoic Capacity Disavowals
	Hyper-Egoic Syllogism Chains
		Version A
		Version B
	Step 1: Formulating the Primary Syllogism Using O & R
		Syllogism Chain A
	Step 2: Expanding the Syllogism Chain
		Syllogism Chain B
		Syllogism Chain C
	Step 3: Identifying and Refuting Self-Defeating Speech Acts in the Chain
	Step 4: Identifying the Guiding Virtues
		Empathy
		Courage
		Unconditional Other Acceptance
		Tolerance
	Step 5: Finding an Uplifting Philosophy
		Philosophies of Empathy
			Carl Rogers's Concept of Empathy
			Busting Your Gut to See the Truth in What the Other Is Saying
		Philosophies of Courage
			Plato's Allegory of the Cave
			Doing What You Really Want Can Take Courage
		Philosophies of Unconditional Other Acceptance
			Do Not Do to Others What You Would Not Want Others to Do to You
			Self-Love Involves Loving Others
		Philosophies of Tolerance
			Permitting Alternative Perspectives Is a Winning Strategy
			Not Recognizing Others Is a Lonely Existence
	Step 6: Constructing a Plan to Apply the Philosophies
		Question 1: In What Ways Has Your Disposition to Reject the Alternative Perspectives of Others Negatively Impacted Your Life?
		Question 2: What Changes Would Your Uplifting Philosophies Prescribe?
		Question 3: How Are You to Make These Constructive Changes?
		Cognitive-Behavioral Assignments for Clients with Hyper-Egoic Disavowals
			In Vivo Cognitive Reframing
			Interoceptive Imagery
			Empathizing
			Compassion-Based Meditation
		Bibliotherapy
	Notes
	References
12. Dependent Capacity Disavowals
	Dependent Disavowal Syllogism Chains
	Step 1: Formulating the Primary Syllogism Using O & R
		Syllogism Chain A
	Step 2: Expanding the Syllogism Chain
		Syllogism Chain B
		Syllogism Chain C
		Syllogism Chain C*
		Syllogism Chain D
	Step 3: Identifying and Refuting Self-Defeating Speech Acts in the Chain
	Step 4: Identifying the Guiding Virtues
	Step 5: Finding an Uplifting Philosophy
		Philosophies of Unconditional Self-Acceptance and Authenticity
			Treat Yourself as an "End in Itself" and Not as a "Mere Means"
			Be the Creator of Your Own Values
			Have Compassion for Yourself
		Philosophies of Decisiveness and Courage
			Reinvent Yourself as a Self-Reliant Person
			Follow Your Own Lights as Though They Were Laws
			Don't Be a "Willing Slave"
			Reframe Loss of Self-Esteem as an Impermanent State of Consciousness, Not Damage to an Underlying Self
			Exercise Your Positive Freedom
	Step 6: Constructing a Plan to Apply the Philosophies
		Question 1: In What Ways Has Your Disposition to Depend on Others to Tell You What to Do, to the Exclusion of Making Your Decisions or Life Choices Negatively Impacted Your Life?
		Question 2: What Changes Would Your Uplifting Philosophies Prescribe?
		Question 3: How Are You to Make These Constructive Changes?
		Cognitive-Behavioral Assignments for Clients with Dependent Disavowals
			In Vivo Cognitive Reframing and Acting on It
			Shame Attacking Exercises
			Rational-Emotive Imagery
			Compassion-Based (Loving Kindness) Meditation to Build Self-Compassion
			Mindfulness Meditation
			Bibliotherapy
	Notes
	References
13. Obsessive Capacity Disavowals
	Obsessive Disavowal Syllogism Chains
		Morally Obsessive Disavowal Syllogism Chains
		Existentially Obsessive Disavowal Syllogism Chains
	Step 1: Formulating the Primary Syllogism Using O & R
		Syllogism Chain A
	Step 2: Expanding the Syllogism Chain
		Syllogism Chain B
		Syllogism Chain C
	Step 3: Identifying and Refuting Self-Defeating Speech Acts in the Chain
	Step 4: Identifying the Guiding Virtues
	Step 5: Finding an Uplifting Philosophy
		Philosophies for Morally Obsessive Clients
			Stop Clinging to the Idea of a Self
			Be Your Own Best Friend
			Treat Yourself as an "End in Itself"
		Philosophies for Existentially Obsessive Clients
			Be Religious: Have Faith and Openness to Truth
			Be Optimistic Despite Inevitability of Tragedy
	Step 6: Constructing a Plan to Apply the Philosophies
		Question 1: In What Ways Has Your Disposition to Demand Moral/Existential Certainty Negatively Impacted Your Life?
		Question 2: What Changes Would Your Uplifting Philosophies Prescribe?
		Question 3: How Are You to Make These Constructive Changes?
		Cognitive-Behavioral Assignments for Clients with Obsessive Disavowals
			Exposure and Response Prevention
			Behavioral Assignments to Apply the Uplifting Philosophy
			Interoceptive Imagery
			Meditative Practice
		Bibliotherapy
	Notes
	References
14. Key Hypotheses of a Logic-Based Therapy
	Speech Acts
	Syllogism Chains
	Types of Interoceptive Feeling
	Prefrontal Cortex "Hijack"
	Guiding Virtues and Their Uplifting Philosophies
	Positive Habits
	The Big Picture
	Note
	References
Index