ABSTRACT
Rational analysis procedures are more advanced cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques. Whereas cognitive restructuring changes the content of children’s thoughts, rational analysis modifies children’s thought processes. Cognitive restructuring teaches patients to say more productive and adaptive things to themselves, whereas rational analysis coaches young people to ask better questions of themselves. Overholser (1993a) explained rational analysis by writing, “In some ways, the process is similar to helping a child assemble a puzzle. If you hand the child a piece but the child cannot find the proper place, you do not keep handing the child the same piece. Instead you can give the child a few other pieces. As the picture starts to develop, the child can easily place the original difficult piece” (p. 72).
