Socratic Questioning In CBT
Better Questions: Define Socratic Questioning CBT
Socrates emphasised the importance of reflecting on our thoughts when he said "An unexamined life is not worth living".
Why do we believe what we believe?
Are our actions in alignment with our values?
Socratic questioning is a powerful tool for introspection and self-discovery. It can also work as an effective catalyst for treating mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. For example, in cognitive-behavioural therapy or CBT, the therapist and client work together to identify negative thoughts and irrational beliefs.
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Therapists use Socratic questioning to help clients challenge their distorted ideas and get more clarity on their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. These questions activate advanced thinking skills (e.g., abstract reasoning) to discover underlying psychological processes that cause distress. This ‘big picture’ perspective allows people to address the root causes of problems.
Here is an example question:
‘Is there a possible link between staying home all week and feeling depressed?’
This question requires the respondent to step back and consider whether behaviour might influence mood.
A person who does not make a behaviour-mood link may need some further ‘scaffolding’ with another Socratic question:
How might an activity affect mood?
This advanced question may require breaking down (e.g., Which behaviours lead to reduced mood?) But, the goal is to discover mood-altering elements (e.g., inactive periods vs activity engagement), rather than just listing ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ behaviours.
How Is Socratic Questioning Used in CBT?
Socratic questioning is a method of asking questions that encourage reflection and problem-solving. It is a form of questioning commonly used in CBT as part of the guided discovery process.
It aligns with the collaborative philosophy of CBT, which involves working with the therapist to identify and challenge negative thinking patterns. Studies have also shown that using Socratic questioning is linked with improved outcomes from therapy and that people perceive therapists who use this approach more favourably.
Socratic questioning can help explore different perspectives, clarify thoughts and feelings, and generate new insights.
What Makes a Question Socratic?
Socratic questions help you explore a subject in-depth, identify relationships and underlying assumptions, and clarify your thinking.
Here are some qualities that form Socratic questions:
Concise
Conciseness is one of the major qualities of a Socratic question. Questions must be to the point and jargon-free. A Socratic question should not be wordy or complicated; it should be clear and straightforward.
A concise question allows people to focus.
Open
Asking open-ended questions encourages discussions and gets people to think more carefully. Unlike closed-ended questions, open-ended questions require thought and usually lead to longer, more detailed answers. Open-ended questions also tend to be less confrontational, increasing the chance for productive dialogue.
Focused
Specific, focused questions can unlock learning. They can be an engine of inquiry that drives us to discover new things about ourselves.
A Socratic question must be focused on particular subjects, issues, or problems. By targeting an issue, a Socratic question helps us to arrive at a deeper understanding of our thoughts.
Neutral
A Socratic question must be unbiased. It should encourage critical thinking and exploration of different viewpoints. By its very nature, a Socratic question is neutral, inviting all sides to engage in respectful and open-minded dialogue.
This is one of the essential qualities that makes a Socratic question so powerful. By avoiding bias, a Socratic question allows for various possibilities when responding.
Examples of Socratic Questions
In contemporary society, Socratic questioning is often used in education and debate to help people explore different sides of an issue and to reach a deeper understanding of complex concepts.
For example, in a classroom setting, a teacher may use Socratic questioning to help students think critically about a text they are studying. Encouraging them to consider different perspectives and question their beliefs can help students develop a more nuanced understanding of the subject matter.
Similarly, in a debate, two opponents may use Socratic questioning to probe each other's positions and find areas of agreement or disagreement. By delving beneath the surface level of their arguments, they can better understand each other's views and potentially find common ground.
Whether used in the classroom, in debate, or in everyday life, Socratic questioning can be a helpful tool for encouraging critical thinking and promoting understanding. Here are some examples of Socratic questions:
Why might you have acted as you did in that situation?
What does that feeling tell us about your beliefs at that moment?
What does it mean to be "incompetent"?
Is there another way to see this situation?
Outside The Therapy Room
While Socratic questioning is most commonly associated with philosophy and therapy, you can apply it in various settings.
Teachers can use it to help students explore new concepts and develop critical thinking skills. Parents can use it to encourage their children to think more deeply about the world around them. Indecisiveness and other thinking blocks can sometimes be mitigated through Socratic questioning.
We can all learn more about ourselves by asking open-ended questions, seeking evidence, and examining different points of view.
Summary
Socratic questioning is an effective way to promote change in thinking patterns and behaviour. It is a valuable tool you or therapists can use to overcome challenges and achieve goals.
If you are struggling with anxiety or depression, consider reaching out to a CBT therapist near you. Together, you can start to examine your thoughts and beliefs and make lasting changes in your life.
We are Coaching & Clinical Psychologists with extensive experience helping people conquer a range of wellbeing and performance issues at home and in the workplace. We can also help you develop Socratic skills. Read more about our work, watch practical skills videos or browse other articles. Get in touch anytime.
