perfectionism and - Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation

6/24/13
SHIFT LANGUAGE
TO PROMOTE HEALTHY COGNITIONS
Continually send messages to patient that
challenges are necessary to learn and adapt
better in life.
You can have each child choose to do
something differently or try a new approach
to a problem area or struggle.
Reframe defeating OCD as a life skill. When
new compulsions arise, help patients see this as
a challenge, NOT a relapse or failure in
treatment.
SHIFT LANGUAGE
TO PROMOTE HEALTHY COGNITIONS
Shift “Good job!” to “Good effort!”
Shift “You are brave!” to “You work hard!”
Shift “You are a (kind, good, nice, smart) kid” to
“Your hard work really shows in your
improvements.”
Shift “You need to try better.” to “What can you do
differently”
Continually push for improvement, in order to grow
the mind.
Shift “Perfect!” to “What can you take on as your
next challenge”
RE-FRAMING FAILURE
VIGNETTE: SUCCESS IN THERAPY
Reframe failure as a challenge that you can
work together to overcome.
Overcoming challenges are a necessary part to
help the brain grow and adapt to defeat
anxiety.
Respond to success in ways that allow patients
to understand how they influenced outcome.
Identify what was done well (hard work,
problem-solving in the moment, being flexible
with plans, etc.).
Determine how those tools can be applied to
hypothetical situations in future.
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