Socratic questioning is a therapeutic technique used in CBT where the therapist asks a series of guided, open-ended questions to help individuals challenge and reframe their negative thoughts. The goal of this method is to encourage individuals to critically evaluate the evidence for their thoughts and beliefs, leading them to recognize cognitive distortions or irrational thinking patterns. By guiding individuals to discover the flaws in their thinking, Socratic questioning promotes greater self-awareness and empowers clients to replace negative thoughts with more balanced and realistic alternatives. This technique is particularly effective in treating anxiety and depression.
