Additional Tools for Challenging Automatic Thoughts

Additional techniques to challenge automatic thoughts are presented in this chapter. These techniques include the “pie chart technique,” in which a pie chart can help clients examine catastrophic fears. The “continuum technique” can be used to help clients put possible negative outcomes in the proper perspective. The “me–not me” technique is intended to help therapists and clients maintain an awareness that anxiety in certain social situations is expected and even appropriate. The technique of “intentional physiological arousal induction” involves having the client engage in an activity like jogging in place or walking quickly up and down flights of stairs prior to engaging in an exposure. “Video feedback” is another potentially powerful intervention.