Psychological Foundations
Lasting change requires more than willpower. This module introduces the psychological frameworks that make transformation possible.
What You'll Learn
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles
- The role of beliefs in driving behavior
- How emotions influence decision-making
- Building psychological resilience
Core CBT Principles
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most researched and effective approaches for behavioral change. Its core insight:
Thoughts → Feelings → Behaviors
By changing how you think about situations, you can change how you feel and ultimately how you act.
Cognitive Distortions
Our brains are prone to thinking errors that fuel addictive patterns:
- All-or-nothing thinking - "I slipped, so I might as well give up"
- Catastrophizing - "This urge is unbearable, I can't handle it"
- Emotional reasoning - "I feel like I need this, so I must"
- Permission-giving - "I deserve this after a hard day"
Learning to identify and challenge these distortions is a core skill.
The Skill Stack
This module builds your foundation:
- Awareness of automatic thoughts
- Ability to question distorted thinking
- Emotional regulation techniques
- Behavior chain analysis
These skills prepare you for the active intervention tools in Module 5.