Socratic Questioning Examples in Depression Therapy

Socratic questioning can be an extremely effective antidepressant because it requires the kind of thinking that people who are resistant to depression use naturally.
Socratic questioning involves teaching by asking instead of telling, and in therapy telling a depressed client how they 'should' think can leave them focusing more on how misunderstood they feel than on what you told them they should feel differently about.
So in this video I share 3 methods I used with Samantha, a client of mine, to help her think differently about her situation.
All notes and references can be found here:
▶︎www.unk.com/blog/socratic-que...
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++About Mark Tyrrell++
Psychology is my passion. I've been a psychotherapist trainer since 1998, specializing in brief, solution focused approaches. I now teach practitioners all over the world via our online courses.
More about me here:
▶︎www.unk.com/blog/about-mark-t...
++Social channels++
Facebook (practitioners):
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▶︎ / uncommonknowledge
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[@jenniferonyejelem3981]

You are an outstanding Therapist. For 6 years , I battled a little with guilt about my divorce. Today, listening to you; I knew it was the only option at the time. I needed to survive mentally for my children. Thank you

[@budopsych3148]

7:06 "Does your idea apply in all contexts, and if not, why not?" 8:42 "Is it possible...?" 13:39 "What's the evidence?"

[@dreamdroid9186]

"Sometimes understanding someone means you might have to leave them." This has resonated with me.

[@ChitchatwithApril]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom, experience and knowledge. You’re a very generous person. And thank goodness you’re easy to listen to. Thank you for not sensationalizing, using a loud voice and hyper tone and especially for not over self promoting. Bravo!

[@aaronsawyer5538]

This is gold. I am currently in graduate school for clinical mental health counceling and find your videos so helpful. Your videos help put everything I am learning together. Thank you!

[@Medietos]

Oh, dear, - where are the real-life therapists speaking like you here? If I got you, I'd heal like a shot and everybody would be amazed and give you the credit and the Nobel prize, since they are sure I am hopeless or at least extremely difficult. It is with grief I hear your good talk , with the soothing wisdom-lilac background. I've been ready to heal since 1991, but got 10 x worse by psychiatry and other pros. One psych.-physiotherapist was good 5 minutes in 2 years, and I resent that she didn't use those skills all the time, but behaved as though I was some sick enemy to control and win over. Have been searching and doing for 40 years, and one therapist wrote about me, that I would not be suitable for Socratic Questioning, because I'd "probably find it insulting" What she missed was my High Sensitivity, excessive shame, sleep deprivation, lack of security and strong life-long stress with organ effects. If she had been empathic, (as she was on the phone before)and had acted psychologically-pedagogically to soothe and get to know me before evaluating, and telling me how this works and what is the use of it, I would have been as abel as anyone. In fact, I have used this unknowing that it was an established method, in helping others. But starting by making them safe with me. Learnt and gave what I needed to get, hoping to someday receive it too..Tbh, most were safe enough in themselves, and not as difficult cases as I. Lucky your patients, if you do like here to them (It's always easier to talk theory than practise).

[@GUCC1197]

Your gift is priceless! This is much needed. It reaches out to a world of people suffering. Thank you for giving it freely to the most needy.💗🙏🏾

[@monasixtyfive4962]

I never get tired of listening to Mark- he has so much knowledge and his well modulated voice is so relaxing to listen to

[@curtismurray9793]

I studied Soctratic questioning at Uni and didn't learn as much as you have just described in this brief video, Brilliant Mark!

[@YagirlGGxoxo]

You could read out the telephone directory and I would listen... very soothing and informative

[@nins7457]

...I will...I will be going to see a therapist soon...my first time. 😣But I wanted to get more insight on ways how to better help myself emotional, mentally, and physically on my own terms though I admit my situation has escalated to where I have little to know control over it. This really helped me think things through more and being a bit more aware and knowledgeable about these topics. Consider me a new sub. thank you for your help and making this vid. I truly appreciate it and you. 👍

[@KingsCrossVIP]

Wow mind blown🙀🤯👍

[@zainabkhan3792]

This was the best illustration of Socratic questing I ever have come across ❤️ Thank you for such a detailed and well elaborated video 😊

[@Ahharan12]

You're the Man!!!! You Truly in my opinion Have a gift!!!!! Thank you for your videos!!!!!!

[@leilaw8331]

Best therapist ever! God bless you✝️🙏🌹

[@1szera]

Excellent presentation with multifaceted application, adaptation and definitely beneficial therapeutically, as well an ace in general communication. The patience and investment in time and energy empowering individuals to be all they can and live a joyful and fulfilling life ... is golden. Thank you!

[@TellSamyra]

Tougher skin is a must.

[@jonathanlee9811]

Hi Mark. I've found Socratic Questioning as powerful as you have, and for the same reasons. I also make a distinction between open questions and closed ones that imply a yes or no answer. I restrict the latter to occasionally leading clients to evidence, as opposed to open examination-in-chief enabling broader reflection. I rarely use the 'why' question, as this is leading and often manipulative - resulting in justification and stimulating resistance. Thank you for your broadcasts. You introduced me to the Rewind Technique. So far I've had a 100% success in achieving significant shifts in clients of at lesst 5 points out of 10. A quicker and greater result than I achieved treating trauma with EMDR. Good on you - as we say in New Zealand.

[@pennyb9445]

You have a very good sense of humor and it is a pleasure to learn from you.

[@Manuka_888]

Enjoyed. Made notes. Appreciate the time you put into sharing this.

[@sumingmarianchia401]

Such a brilliant man! Thank you for this :)

[@kamalsubba985]

Great sir 🙏

[@ivanfrench13]

Would apply to anxiety too. Thank you for this! 🙏

[@Insightology]

Fantastic content... Thank you...

[@lavenderluv11]

Exactly the content I was looking for... Thankyou

[@sassytee0722]

Awesome. Thxs for sharing.

[@naemasufi]

lovely Insight, cheers Mark

[@sinamofidi3847]

Really wonderful insights . Thank You

[@SammieLeaWhite]

Your healing ❤️‍🩹 is so fluid , it is v much appreciated 🦋🙏

[@ZiloBalo]

Wow! This is brilliant stuff. Thank you

[@dreamerboy24]

This is exceptional, thank you!

[@leruemartin9377]

What does the standard process of Socratic questioning often include?

[@jujubee90275]

Very helpful . Thank you.

[@v8chevy350]

When someone has had a childhood trauma and causes mistrust as an adult then after time another traumatic event happens later in life that causes the person to spiral backwards into the original feelings of mistrust then cause heavy depression ..... HOW would you “ask” the depressed to look at those facts as the culprits of the depression not the current life situation(present time) where there are so many positive things to enjoy. I know your not supposed to “tell” someone what they could be going through. I just don’t know how to ask in the correct way. Thank you

[@sergeypanfilov3397]

thank you so much! you helped me to lift the heavy bag from my shoulders. :)

[@limewalk6719]

Such an informative video. Thank you so much.

[@samuelmcdermott1726]

Excellently delivered. Thank you.

[@rafagambardella]

THANK YOU!!!!!

[@nelsonvalderrama8371]

Hi Mark, thanks for great work. Question, do those Socrates question help in the long term with clients? since she brings this from childhood, and it is an strong imprint in her, colluded with family dynamics, constellations, etc? Thinking also in term of family constellations to heal the root of her ties to be a savior for drinkers as her father... Thanks, Nelson, Chile.

[@sid771]

These are incredible! Keep it up!

[@jesseskellington9427]

5:26 Rebel isn't it just Oppositional Defiant Disorder ODD from the DSM5?

[@butterflymagicwithhottea9291]

Thank you!

[@Mlpl397]

This is really good stuff. Thank you for this.

[@triptisharma6692]

Your explanations are amazing ! Thank you !

[@RomanBuchok]

I'm with Zainab -wonderful than you so much.

[@jpmccorley]

What a fantastic video, thank you very much. 🙏

[@norma9886]

“She came to this all by herself.” That’s interesting. Is it possible that she had some crucial help from a significant other? :)

[@moniadimarcantonio4984]

Brilliant!!

[@anonymousa3793]

(I've been wondering bout Socrates' legacies)..this is a great way to help others question their perspectives..( and a self help 2)

[@adrienne5080]

Thank you... priceless.

[@KW1LL1S]

Do you do audible? Id love to hear you read some of the books I listen to.

[@shaziaaslam6104]

V impressive Aha U nailed it Content + explanation +example used = thought provoking Thanks a lot

[@ministry_of_love]

7:04 The Socratic Questions

[@depression7927]

can i contact you mark?

[@Acacius1992]

I sadly had already take the shame going to therapy cause i was too weak beating my depression -.-

[@VladyslavKL]

🕊

[@natgreen5903]

❤❤❤

[@tatianahawaii13]

❤️

[@NomimizuShinobu]

You say all or nothing is bad thinking. That it's thinking in absolute. Well let's propose 2 questions to show you there are situations where "all or nothing" is a very applicable tool or concept. 1. Did you only put in half your effort to delve into the career you have? 2. How could one discover where the middle is unless they come to understand where the extreme is?

[@MRboomMAN56]

fuck yeah man

[@peterreed9566]

I hate therapist who use Socratic questioning as it's just lazy therapy and more often than not doesn't work.

[@missjennemeg1]

I'm not convinced about this method. When you're hurting and you go to a counsellor who does this method is annoying. You go there for advice and instruction; not to meet bloody Socrates! Can't say how much money and time I've wasted on this method.

[@neoantrop]

I'm really sorry to hear this... that's why I think it's not a bad thing for the client to tell the therapist that he's crazy and that I don't like the path he's taking with me. I think that the therapeutic relationship is very important. The therapist is not a miracle worker. And the client should express his disapproval if needed if filing like that.communication is key. also understanding both sides is important. Regards