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transforming negative thoughts
Unmasking Biases: Understanding How They Influence Our Perception of Reality
‘Buddhism teaches that our suffering does not result from reality but from the judgement we make about reality. There’s really no such thing as success or failure, strength or weakness. These are just labels we use to judge our experiences, and these labels can be misleading and hurtful.’
- Dr. David Burns
In the course 'Transforming Negative Thoughts', we start with some questions: What is a good life? What really defines happiness? Is it a stack of cash, a fancy car, or a giant mansion? Or maybe it's finding that perfect soulmate? We will take a mind-bending journey and uncover the sneaky biases and errors that can trip us up when we're chasing our dreams and making sound decisions.
Life is not just about pursuing the good things; it's also about navigating through its unexpected twists and turns. When we encounter unforeseeable challenges in life, how do we respond? How do we make sense of them? Do we shoulder all the blame and give up? Or do we shift our focus to what we can change, to make things better? Delving into the research findings from the founder of Positive Psychology, Dr. Martin Seligman, we explore different ways of explaining adverse events, from how we talk to ourselves and others, to our thought patterns. If you tend to hold yourself accountable for everything, fear not! There is a scientific approach to transform negative perspectives into more encouraging and constructive ones.
It's essential to differentiate between this approach and the popular concept of "positive thinking." We aren't burying our heads in the sand and chanting affirmations like "Everything will be okay" or "I will be fine." Instead, we're taking a stand against the negative thoughts (which are often inaccurate) that creep in after tough times. By challenging those thoughts, we can bring clarity to our minds and get closer to the truth. And when we're closer to the truth, we can make moves that lead to better outcomes. In the group session for this module, we'll practice this approach and explore how to apply optimism in various life scenarios, from parenting to the work world.
Upon finishing this course, be prepared to shake up your priorities, focusing on what truly matters. You'll be equipped with a set of skills to organize your thoughts, perceiving your surroundings through a fresh set of lenses.
Therapist
Renee is a registered nurse in Hong Kong, and a Qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner trained in the United Kingdom. Shedelivers Low-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LICBT)- based intervention to clients with mild to moderate anxiety and depression in public and private sectors. She has undergone additional training to effectively support clients with insomnia, obsessive compulsive disorder, health anxiety, and long-term conditions, and working with interpreters. She is fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and English.
She worked as an Assistant Teacher for the Science of Happiness credit-bearing module at the University of Bristol. She facilitated the learning and development of first-year undergraduate students in weekly happiness hubs, supporting them to build evidence-based wellbeing habits into their lives with findings from Positive and Cognitive Psychology.
Renee is pursuing a Ph.D. in Health Psychology, which helps her shape the resources and services at Person Centre with an additional emphasis on the relationship between mental and physical health, as well as general wellness.
