Helping our patients to improve their internal self dialogue for better mental health

I’ve seen a young person recently with one of the worse internal self dialogue.

Lots of self criticism. Lots of punitive themes. Lots of negativity. Lots of shame.

We spent years teaching our kids about external dialogues, including how to be tactful to others, how to be polite to others, how to be compassionate to others, how to be considerate to others when we speak, but not much attention is given to the internal ones.

Of course it’s not easy, as it’s “internal”. It’s not transparent for everyone to see or hear, and to give feedback.

A part of counseling is to assist with this change.  

Have you or your patients got good, healthy internal self dialogue?