Cognitive behavioural therapist increasingly recognise that self distancing is…

Cognitive behavioural therapist increasingly recognise that self distancing is a prerequisite for therapeutic change for many people and many problems. They try to help their clients escape at least briefly from the self immersed perspective by guiding them to realise that their beliefs and perceptions are constructions of reality, not revelations of absolute truth that can be seen only one way.

— from True North (Ethics, Integrity, Truth, Values)

In the book

And watch the subtler internal drift of holding your own rightness too tightly — when being right becomes a central source of your pride and identity rather than just a description, you will defend the position instead of seeking the truth. Good therapists teach a useful trick against this: step back far enough to see that your beliefs and perceptions are constructions of reality, not revelations of an absolute truth that can only be seen one way. The old wisdom even warns against the small ugliness of rejoicing when a rival falls — do not let your heart be glad when your enemy stumbles. — True North (Ethics, Integrity, Truth, Values)

Also belongs to

Related