Imagine that you are on a boat in the ocean. Take a minute and imagine with all your sense. Imagine how your feet feel on the boat, how the air smells, the sounds of the waves, the feel of the sun on your skin. Now notice how the waves hit the boat and make it rock.
As you notice one wave hit the boat and rock it, the wave is then gone. Some waves comes fast and powerful. Some waves slower and more gently. Some waves seems so big they are all you can focus on, but they too pass. As you notice these waves, notice any thoughts, feelings or other internal experiences you are having while on the boat in the ocean with waves passing by.
Your job is to stay on the boat and if you find that you have fallen off, notice that and simple climb back on the boat and continue to notice the waves. See how this relates to your own thoughts, feelings, and internal experiences and how they are like waves that come and go. See if you can use this when getting stuck on difficult thoughts or painful emotions. See if treating thoughts as waves can give you a different perspective and allow you to interact with your thoughts in a way that give you more choice in how you want to act instead of feeling trapped or hooked on difficult thoughts.
If you want to find out more about my approach the therapy please visit my website www.peterbinnings.com. I offer free 15-30 minute phone consultations. I serve Adults and teens. I am located in the Santa Cruz Downtown and see clients from Santa Cruz, Soquel, Scotts Valley, San Jose, and Los Gatos.
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