Thinking Errors
This is when we act as if we think we know what is going on, but we don’t take the time to make sure. We use this to avoid the responsibility of checking things out with someone else.
Assuming
1. Close your mouth
2. Slowly breathe in through your nose
3. Slowly breathe out through your nose
4. Repeat as necessary
Accountability
Phase 1
Shoplifting is a...
What type of dog is Bailey
This is when we make something seem less than it really was. There are some red flags that should alert us when we are minimizing. Those red flags are the words, “only” and “just.” For example, “I was only five minutes late.” If we convince ourselves that our hurtful or irresponsible behaviors are no big deal, then we won’t work on changing them.
Minimizing
Distractions
Sympathy, Empathy & Compassion
"Compassion Action"
Phase 2
Using drugs and alcohol...
Maintenance Behavior
How many POP Marvel characters does Dennis have in his Office?
35
We use this thinking error to get attention, and to make other people feel sorry for us. We also use it to get other people to leave us alone instead of holding us accountable when we mess up. Sometimes we use this thinking error to get others to do things for us that we should be doing for ourselves.
Victim Stance
Talking to staff
Talking to your therapist
Writing in our journal
Working through the problem
Sexual Self-Evaluation
Phase 4
Using sexual words and gestures when a younger sibling is around...
Grooming Behavior
These are all what type of risk factors?
Thinking errors, attitudes and beliefs
Internal Risk Factors
This is not thinking ahead. This is not thinking about the consequences of our actions. We use this thinking error to avoid the responsibility of controlling our impulses
Distant Elephants
Tighten each of your muscles, holding each muscle tightly for 10 seconds, and then release.
Progressive Relaxation
Learn about relationships
Grooming Behavior
How many individual THOR movies are there?
BONUS Question worth another 400 points: Name them!
4
Thor (2011)
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Thor: Ragnarock (2017)
Thor: Love & Thunder (2022)
This is when we believe that everything will work out if we just want it enough. We use this thinking error to avoid the responsibility of working to correct our mistakes and taking the steps we need to make our lives the way we want them to be. An example of this type of thinking error is when a driver who speeds, says, “I’ll never get caught.” Or, a skier who is reckless says, “I’m too good to get hurt.” A person with sexual problems may say, “I’ll never get deviant urges again.” Magical thinking is wishful thinking, and it usually doesn’t work.
Magical Thinking or Super Optimism
“I can make a healthy decision.”
“I can resist this temptation and stay out of trouble.”
Positive Self-Talk statements
Understanding the chain-of-events that led to my sexual behavior problem
Phase 3
Maintenance behaviors that have the greatest chance of leading directly into an existence offense behavior chain
Gateway Behavior
DAILY DOUBLE (WORTH DOUBLE)
What is the Destruction Warning Line?
The point right before you re-offend