Quick Overview: When therapy focuses on automatic thoughts, it may refer to an element of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The National Institute of Mental Health describes CBT as helping a person become aware of automatic ways of thinking that are inaccurate or harmful, question those thoughts, understand how they affect emotions and behavior, and change self-defeating behavior patterns. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes CBT as helping a person become aware of ways of thinking that may be automatic but are inaccurate and harmful. These descriptions do not determine personal fit or outcomes.
What the Sources Say About Automatic Thinking
The supplied sources use related but different wording when describing CBT. Neither source offers a general rule for deciding what a particular thought means for an individual person. Their descriptions explain elements of a therapy approach.
NIMH describes automatic ways of thinking that are inaccurate or harmful
The National Institute of Mental Health describes psychotherapy as a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
In its description of CBT, NIMH says the approach can help a person become aware of automatic ways of thinking that are inaccurate or harmful. It also includes questioning those thoughts, understanding how they affect emotions and behavior, and changing self-defeating behavior patterns.
This description does not say that every thought is inaccurate or harmful. It identifies the kinds of automatic ways of thinking addressed in this CBT description.
NCCIH describes thoughts that may be automatic but are inaccurate and harmful
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes CBT as a type of psychological treatment. Its description says CBT helps a person become aware of ways of thinking that may be automatic but are inaccurate and harmful.
NCCIH also says CBT involves efforts to change thinking patterns and usually behavioral patterns. The word “usually” is part of the source description. The source does not describe how a particular therapy conversation will proceed or what an individual person will experience.
How CBT Connects Thoughts, Emotions, and Behavior
The supplied sources describe CBT in relation to awareness of thinking patterns and efforts to change thinking and behavior patterns. NIMH also describes questioning automatic ways of thinking and understanding how they affect emotions and behavior.
These are general descriptions of CBT. They do not establish that every emotion or behavior is caused by a thought. They also do not determine whether CBT, individual therapy, or another therapy approach fits a particular person.
CBT may be one approach within psychotherapy
NIMH states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches depending on their training, the disorder being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment.
A focus on automatic thoughts does not by itself establish what approach a therapist uses. A person can ask whether CBT is part of the approach and how the therapist describes its rationale and evidence base.
A preliminary conversation can clarify practical questions
NIMH states that a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with the therapist. NIMH suggests asking about the approach a therapist will use, goals of therapy, how progress will be assessed, and what may happen if someone does not feel they are improving.
For a person wondering about automatic thoughts in therapy, a direct question may be: “When you use this phrase, what does it mean in your approach?”
Reflection Questions Before Individual Therapy
These questions are for general reflection. They do not determine which therapy approach fits your circumstances.
| Reflection question | Question to consider bringing forward |
|---|---|
| What would I like to understand about automatic thoughts? | How does a therapist use this language, if at all? |
| What questions do I have about CBT? | Is CBT among the approaches the therapist uses? |
| What goals would I want to discuss? | How are therapy goals discussed? |
| What would I like to know about progress? | How would progress be assessed? |
| What practical information do I need? | What should I ask before requesting an appointment? |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- When you use the phrase “automatic thoughts,” what does it mean in your approach?
- Is cognitive behavioral therapy among the approaches you use?
- What is the rationale and evidence base for the approach you use?
- What goals of therapy would we discuss?
- How would progress be assessed?
- What happens if I do not feel I am improving?
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “automatic thoughts” mean in this context?
In the supplied sources, this topic appears in descriptions of CBT. NIMH refers to automatic ways of thinking that are inaccurate or harmful. NCCIH refers to ways of thinking that may be automatic but are inaccurate and harmful.
Does an automatic thought always mean it is inaccurate or harmful?
The supplied sources do not provide a general answer about every automatic thought. NIMH describes CBT as addressing automatic ways of thinking that are inaccurate or harmful. NCCIH describes ways of thinking that may be automatic but are inaccurate and harmful.
Does CBT involve behavior as well as thinking?
NIMH includes changing self-defeating behavior patterns in its CBT description. NCCIH says CBT involves efforts to change thinking patterns and usually behavioral patterns.
Can these descriptions tell me whether CBT is right for me?
No. The supplied information does not determine personal fit, a treatment plan, or outcomes. A preliminary conversation can be a place to ask about an approach, its rationale, therapy goals, and how progress may be assessed.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy offers individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. The practice offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. Alina Hovsoyan is the therapist named by Rooted Integrative Therapy. The Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests using its contact details or form.
Sources and Further Reading
Sources used for this article:
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
- nccih.nih.gov: Relaxation Techniques What You Need To Know
A Grounded Next Step
If you would like to make an inquiry or request an appointment with Rooted Integrative Therapy, visit the Connect page.
Please do not include urgent or highly sensitive clinical information in a general inquiry.
This article is for general education only. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for individualized mental-health care. A qualified mental-health professional can help you consider what fits your circumstances.