Cognitive therapy: Self-observation
Cognitive therapy is used to help patients transform their way of thinking, to stop interpreting the situation in a dysfunctional way. For example, when the patient sees a dog, he or she thinks directly that the dog will bite him or her. The goal of these sessions is to change the way of thinking.
Key takeaways
- Cognitive therapy helps patients change dysfunctional interpretations of anxiety-provoking situations.
- The first step is self-observation: identifying anxious thoughts as they arise.
- Sessions follow three stages: self-observation, the detective, and generating a realistic interpretation.
- Camille, the assistant IA from C2Care, supports patients through virtual reality exposure scenarios.
HOW DOES IT WORK ?
During a very specific situation, for example for people suffering from cynophobia the patient when he sees the dog he will immediately think that he will bite it. The dysfunctional thoughts will invade the patient at the time of the situation and will trigger the protection system which is anxiety. It is due to a misinterpretation by the person who thought he was in danger. Her protective mechanism is activated because she believes she is in danger.
The goal of cognitive therapy is to help them through 3 steps. In this article, we will look at the first step which consists of regaining a more realistic and balanced view of the situation. The idea is to help patients regain healthier thoughts. For example: The dog is going to come, he's going to sniff me and he's going to leave.
THE FIRST STEP
The first step in cognitive therapy (cognitive restructuring) is to become aware of your thoughts when you are anxious during the situation, the goal being to be an observer of oneself. When the patient is in an anxiety-provoking situation, they need to ask themselves, What am I afraid is going to happen?
Ideally, to properly formulate disaster thoughts, it is helpful to formulate sentences conjugated in the near future tense. For example, I'm going to lose my job, my kids are going to be sick. This is the first step in cognitive therapy. If you want to change your thoughts, you must first identify them. This is usually done in the second session.
Once patients have understood and identified their thoughts, you need to reassure them. Your patients have been doing this for years and may not be aware that it precedes anxiety. Their task is to become aware of it.
THE COURSE OF THE COGNITIVE THERAPY SESSION
Cognitive therapy should be divided into 3 sessions to allow patients to fully immerse themselves in it.
- 1 session : Self-observation,
- 2nd session : The detective
- 3rd session : Generating a realistic interpretation
Learn about the Gray's neurobiological model and Beck's cognitive model.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Cognitive Therapy: Self-Observation and Virtual Reality
Why use virtual reality in the field of mental health?
Virtual reality lets patients confront anxiety-inducing situations through gradual and controlled exposure, in a secure, reproducible environment. It increases patient engagement and can be personalized to each patient's needs. Applications extend to anxiety disorders, addictions, mood disorders and cognitive remediation.
How long has this existed?
C2Care's virtual reality software has been tested and used with hospitals since 2016. This long-standing collaboration with healthcare institutions has helped refine the environments and scenarios offered to practitioners today.
What pathologies can be treated in virtual reality?
Virtual reality treats anxiety disorders such as phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorders, along with addictions and mood disorders. Studies also report benefits for autism, eating disorders, neuropsychological disorders, psychotic disorders and cognitive remediation.
Can virtual reality be dangerous?
Virtual reality is not recommended for people with epilepsy or for pregnant individuals. Some users may experience cybersickness, a reversible discomfort linked to movement in the headset, which usually fades as the patient gets used to the immersion.
Can I feel nauseous while using the headset?
Yes, this is called cybersickness, a well-known and reversible phenomenon affecting part of the population. To adapt, it is recommended to start with static environments, such as relaxation scenes, before introducing slight then slow head movements.
What are the benefits for therapists using VR?
Virtual reality helps therapists stand out from traditional treatment options and is backed by extensive research supporting its credibility. It also improves patient engagement and saves time, since practitioners can access multiple exposure environments without needing external logistics.
Which patients can benefit from TERV?
Virtual reality exposure therapy applies across a wide age range, with real therapeutic benefits documented in the literature. Adults, adolescents and elderly patients can all be treated, adolescents showing greater therapeutic engagement, while elderly patients benefit from cognitive stimulation and work on behavioral disorders and anxiety.
Who should I contact in case of software issues?
Our technical support team is available via live chat from your control panel. If a headset issue occurs, the team works with you to diagnose the problem and, if necessary, provides a return label and replaces defective equipment within 48 hours.
Author
C2Care
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