People who are depressed often get stuck in negative ways of thinking. A technique called “Socratic questioning” can help them to look at life more positively. The technique consists of a series of guided questions in which the therapist asks a patient to consider new perspectives on themselves and their place in the world. Let’s say a woman thinks that she is a failure because she lost her job. The therapist could start with asking: “Is everyone who lost a job a failure? Can you think of anyone for whom that is not true?” Research at the Ohio State Depression Treatment and Research Clinic shows that depressed patients see substantial improvements in their depressive symptoms when their therapists use this technique.
“Socratic questioning” helps people with depression to think more positively
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