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    little girl child covering her face perhaps experiencing pain or negative thinking, How to Counteract Negative Thinking Errors in Children blog, the counseling center at cinco ranch, katy texas 77494

    How to Counteract Negative Thinking Errors in Children

    April 7, 2022

    By: Rachel Fowler, MS, LPC Children find it hard to understand their thoughts, behaviors, and feelings, and many children struggle with negative thinking patterns and thinking errors. Especially when their views are harmful, those negative thinking patterns are called cognitive distortions or thinking errors. We call them thinking errors when working with children about negative […]

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    How to Counteract Negative Thinking Errors in Children

    April 7, 2022
    By: Rachel Fowler, MS, LPC

    Children find it hard to understand their thoughts, behaviors, and feelings, and mlittle girl child covering her face perhaps experiencing pain or negative thinking, How to Counteract Negative Thinking Errors in Children blog, the counseling center at cinco ranch, katy texas 77494any children struggle with negative thinking patterns and thinking errors. Especially when their views are harmful, those negative thinking patterns are called cognitive distortions or thinking errors. We call them thinking errors when working with children about negative thinking patterns. Over time, thinking errors are thoughts that reinforce negative feelings and unwanted behaviors. Children need time to learn, recognize and challenge thinking errors to improve their mental health and well-being. 

    Helping children identify how harmful negative thoughts can be. When working with children, one of my favorite statements is letting them know that our brain is not always our friend. Our thoughts can get stuck in a negative cycle, causing our feelings and behaviors to join. One way to help break the negative cycle is by disrupting the connection. 

    What are some Common Thinking Errors in Children? 

    Feelings as Facts: 

    All of our feelings are valid, but this does not mean they are facts. A negative feeling will cause or strengthen a negative thought. For example, a child can feel like a bad friend, but that does not make them a bad friend. Another example is if a child gets in trouble at home, they could feel upset but tell themselves they are a “bad daughter” or “bad son”. In both of these scenarios, the child reinforces negative feelings with a negative thought.  

    Mind Reading: hand and a lightbulb, How to Counteract Negative Thinking Errors in Children blog, the counseling center at cinco ranch, katy texas 77494

    The average person does not have the magical power of reading minds. That does not stop individuals, especially children, from assuming what someone else is thinking. For example, students might not ask to borrow a pencil because they believe the teacher will get mad at them. A second example is a child will lie because they assume the parent will yell at them if they know the truth. In both scenarios, the child feels like they know what the other person will do or say. Therefore, causing the child to have harmful or unwanted behavior. 

    Negative Labeling: 

    Children associate their actions with who they are. For example: If a child makes a mistake, they will tell themselves, “I am dumb” or “I am useless.” Another example is if the child misses a goal during a game, they would tell themselves, “I am horrible” or “I am worthless.” In both of these scenarios, the child reinforces a negative outlook on themselves. 

    Why is it Important to Identify Thinking Errors in Children?

    Psychoeducation for Thinking Errors in Children:

    Counseling for children can support and enhance the child’s ability to recognize and challenge these negative thinking patterns at a young age. Through counseling, a child can begin to understand the amount of power their thoughts have over their behaviors and feelings. Education and positive change can improve the child’s mental health and overall well-being. 

    Begin Therapy or support for Mental Health in Katy, TX Children playing soccer in a field of trees, How to Counteract Negative Thinking Errors in Children blog, the counseling center at cinco ranch, katy texas 77494

    Have you noticed your child struggling with negative thinking patterns or thinking errors? If you feel like your child could benefit from counseling and change their negative thinking pattern, one of the therapists at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch can help! We provide mental health counseling, as well as other mental health services. To begin counseling in Katy, TX, follow these three steps:

    • Contact our office to set up an appointment or to learn more about our services.
    • Meet with one of our compassionate therapists.
    • Find ways to help your child manage and challenge their thinking errors.

    Other Therapy Services We Offer: 

    Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men’s issues, women’s issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. To learn more about our therapists and counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today! 

    Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 77494, blog, break the cycle, child therapy, children, feelings, How to Counteract Negative Thinking Errors in Children, katy, Katy Texas, negative labeling, negative thinking, psychoeducation, the counseling center at cinco ranch, therapy, thinking, thinking errors

    mindfulness written on a piece of paper in front of a window, How to Regulate Your Emotions blog, begin counseling today in katy texas at the counseling center at cinco ranch

    How to Regulate Your Emotions

    February 28, 2022

    By: Julie Sekachev, M.Ed, LPC Associate Supervised by Melissa Barton, MA, LPC-S Do you feel as though you have difficulty with your emotions? Here at the Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we can help teach you ways you can regulate your emotions and improve your relationships. Become Aware of Your Emotions. The first step to […]

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    How to Regulate Your Emotions

    February 28, 2022
    By: Julie Sekachev, M.Ed, LPC Associate
    Supervised by Melissa Barton, MA, LPC-S

    Do you feel as though you have difficulty with your emotions? Here at the Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we can help teach you ways you can regulate your emotions and improve your relationships.Woman regulating her emotions, standing by a mountain, How to Regulate Your Emotions blog, begin counseling today in katy texas at the counseling center at cinco ranch

    Become Aware of Your Emotions.

    The first step to regulating our emotional state is to become aware of what we are feeling. Become aware of your emotions by labeling them. If you have a hard time identifying what you are feeling at the moment, try using a feeling wheel, you can use the one here: https://feelingswheel.com/

    When you label what you are experiencing, you will gain more clarity and control over your emotions. Labeling emotions also lowers cortisol, the stress hormone in the body. If you have a hard time identifying your feelings- start with the body. What sensations are coming up for you? Tightness in the chest? Feeling hot, trembling hands, a sad sinking feeling? Jot down these sensations. You can use the “Thought Diary” app to help you keep track of your emotional state.

    Pause and Practice Mindfulness.

    mindfulness written on a piece of paper next to a window, How to Regulate Your Emotions blog, begin counseling today in katy texas at the counseling center at cinco ranch

    Resist the urge to react to your triggers. Mindfulness is the most powerful step. The moment we are aware of our emotional state, we are not yet ready to decide the next move because our bodies are activated. If you notice a trigger, do not react right away. A trigger is something that happened just before you had an intense emotional reaction. For example, this could be an email, text,or something someone says to you. A pause could mean taking an hour to identify what you are feeling and why, or it could take several hours or even a day to feel calm before you determine your next move. Remember, strong emotions and impulses are just feelings that will pass and do not need to be acted upon immediately.

    Emotional Regulation.

    Try not to rely on your partner or others for this step. Practice regulating your own emotions through:

     

      • Guided meditation, deep breathing exercise, journaling, or spending time in nature.
      • Try the Calm or Headspace app for guided meditation or checkout “Headspace Guide to Meditation” on Netflix.
      • Feel your feelings: when an unpleasant or uncomfortable feeling arises in the body, it creates a story or a narrative. Begin to redirect your mind away from your thoughts. Instead, notice the sensations in your body (chest tightness, ball of nerves, tightness in shoulders). Breathe into the sensation, notice it, allow it to be without judgment. Your mind will want you to go back to the story about the feelings, redirect back to the body and, breathe, repeat. Trust that the feelings will subside, and you will move through this state.

    Respond Instead of React.

    When we react to our triggers, it feels automatic and unplanned. When we react, we operate based on our sensations, thoughts, or feelings that we may not have acknowledged. Responding, however, requires careful thought, reflection, and choice.

    Ask yourself:

    • “How do I want to respond to this?” “What feels right for me?”
    • Use assertive communication to talk to the other person after you feel calm using the “gentle startup” (I feel…about what….I need).

    For example, let’s say your significant other cancels your date last minute. An automatic reaction may be, “I can’t believe you would do this, I cleared out my plans, and you’re just canceling last minute?! We are done!” Another more passive automatic reaction could be, “No worries, it’s ok, let me know when you will be free!” Both reactions do not consider your needs or the other person’s needs and may end a relationship. A more thoughtful response could be: “things happen, I understand, I feel disappointed, I wanted to see you. I would appreciate a little more heads-up in the future to schedule something else if need be. Let me know when you are free next so we can reschedule.”

    woman sitting in front of a turquoise wall with wings painted behind her, How to Regulate Your Emotions blog, begin counseling today in katy texas at the counseling center at cinco ranch

    If you would like more help being in control of your emotions or ways to practice mindfulness, one of the therapists at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch can help!

    We provide couples counseling, as well as other mental health services. To begin couples counseling in Katy, TX, follow these three steps:

    1. Contact our office to set up an appointment or to learn more about how to increase assertive communication 
    2. Meet with one of our knowledgeable therapists
    3. Find new ways to become your most authentic you!

    Other Therapy Services We Offer:

    Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men’s issues, women’s issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. To learn more about our therapists and counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today!

    Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: awareness, big feelings, calm, counseling, emotional, emotional regulation, Emotions, feelings, how to regulate emotions, katy, meditation, mindfulness, overwhelming feelings, pause, react, regulate, regulation, respond, texas, therapy, trigger, triggers, yoga



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