Directive: Altering the Impact of an Internal Voice

This directive is useful for clients who report being stuck on a specific, distressing internal voice or automatic thought. When a client treats a recurring self-criticism or anxious prediction as an unchangeable fact, this intervention can introduce much-needed psychological distance. It is designed to directly address the thought’s perceived authority and believability, making it a practical tool for moments of high cognitive fusion. It is particularly effective when a single thought pattern is a primary driver of distress.

The intervention works by separating the thought’s content from its emotional impact. By having the client systematically manipulate the formal qualities of the internal voice, the thought is reframed as a temporary mental event, not an inherent truth. This process reduces the thought’s command over the client’s emotional state and subsequent behavior. It is a direct, experiential method for observing thoughts as sensory events rather than literal commands, diminishing their power without disputing their content.