Self-Esteem Research, Theory, and Practice Toward a Positive ...

A Two-Factor Self-Esteem Enhancement Program 207a given list of common errors. Each mistake is identified, named, and corrected.At the end of the process, the individual re-evaluates his or herfeelings to determine whether he or she has changed in appropriate ways.The process is then repeated until the person’s reactions correspond tothe events as realistically as possible. The aim is threefold: to help thegroup understand how people trap themselves in ways that generateexcessive pain, to learn how to identify that process when it is actuallyhappening, and to become able to control thinking and feeling in a waythat increases a sense of worthiness rather than suffering the usualdecrease that otherwise occurs.Whatever version of this approach is selected by the therapist, it isessential to walk people through the process step-by-step and to do soseveral times. I happen to use a seven-step method when starting outbecause it is usually the most detailed approach and reveals the entireprocess most clearly to beginners. We turn to the material labeled Week3—Handout 3: Pattern-Breaking Outline when moving into this stage ofthe work. After identifying the seven steps presented in the handout inpart A, I usually show how they are to be used by working one of myown recent problems in front of the group. That procedure is representedas part B of the handout.Typically, I begin by drawing a long horizontal line across the board,flip chart, or screen in front of the group and number sections of it 1through 7. Then, I describe a situation that is troubling me and identifyit under as step 1 on the line. Next, I name my strongest feelings and ratetheir intensity to complete the second step. In step 3, I reflect on what wasgoing through my mind at the time (without embarrassing myself toomuch) and try to simply state my own thoughts as they actually occurred.Step 4 involves asking the group to help me identify the illogical, “irrational”(Ellis & Harper, 1977), “distorted” (Burns, 1980), or generallydysfunctional part of my thinking, according to the list of errors or distortionspresented in the previous handout. Now that the group isinvolved, I ask them to offer a rational alternative for my distorted thinkingto complete step 5. Then, we proceed to step 6 and reevaluate myown feelings in front of the group, showing that there is a real gain involvedin doing this kind of work. I always point out that even a “measurable”reduction in intensity is better than what I was experiencing before wewent through the exercise. Finally, we move to step 7 and begin with thenext strongest feeling I had, repeating the process until I feel a significantreduction in distress.I emphasize that it is important to outline every step by writing themdown, because we can fall into these worthiness eroding self-esteem trapseasily or fool ourselves by thinking it is sufficient to do the steps mentally.It is helpful to point out that, like any bad habit, these cognitive patterns