ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of cognitive self-help strategies that can be used to modify scary thoughts. It walks readers through the steps of cognitive restructuring, which includes identifying and evaluating thoughts in order to develop more balanced responses that can decrease distress. Case examples are included to illustrate this process in relation to the five different types of scary thoughts discussed throughout this book. Additionally, this chapter introduces an alternative way of modifying scary thoughts through cognitive defusion, which is a strategy commonly used in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to alter the function of thoughts rather than the content.
