Taking Socrates to Therapy
Well-being

Taking Socrates to Therapy

By December 24, 2020February 4th, 2021No Comments

ocrates can play an influential role in therapy.  A quick backstory, from around 2,500 years ago, Socrates recognized that some knowledge was already present within people; however, people did not necessarily know how to access that knowledge.  Socrates found that this knowledge could be drawn out of individuals by asking the right questions.  In fact, Socratic questioning has been found to be an effective antidepressant1.  But, you have to know what questions to ask, which is one major role of the therapist.  Therapists can help YOU find information you already have within you.  This is especially helpful when you are stuck and/or have unhelpful thinking.

Here is a basic description of the Socratic technique that is often used to help people change unhelpful thoughts.

  1. Identify unhelpful thought.
  2. Use the triangle method. Here you create a triangle using the problem. Write the unhelpful thought on the triangle and write down the feelings and behavior associated with the thought.
  3. Use a Socratic technique, like questioning.  These questions help you to understand and challenge the unhelpful thoughts. Example questions: What is the evidence to support this thought? Is your thought based on facts or feelings? The questions will differ depending on the thought/situation.
  4. Use the triangle method again making a NEW triangle. Generate new thoughts that are more helpful. Write the new thought down and identify how feelings and behaviors will change with the new way of thinking.
  5. Strengthen new thinking. Remember that thoughts become habits and you need to continue to challenge old thoughts, especially when stressed/upset.

The answers are never ‘out there.’ All the answers are ‘in there,’ inside you, waiting to be discovered. –Chris Prentiss

Reference

1 Braun, J.D., Strunk, D.R., & Cooper, A.A. (2015). Therapist use of Socratic questioning predicts session-to-session symptom change in cognitive therapy for depression. Behavior Research and Therapy, 70, 32-37.

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