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Learn DBT Skills In A Group
Weekly sessions are available. Grouport offers therapist-led dialectical behavior therapy skills groups online. The first 12 weeks covers fundamental DBT skills.
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Learned helplessness, a concept rooted in psychology, is a phenomenon wherein an individual experiences a sense of powerlessness stemming from a persistent failure to succeed. This perception of helplessness can hinder the ability to learn, cope with challenges, and effect change in various life situations. This article delves into the nature of learned helplessness, its psychological basis, and strategies to break free from this debilitating mindset.
Learned helplessness originates from repeated exposure to uncontrollable events, leading to the belief that one's actions cannot influence the outcome of a situation. The concept was first developed by psychologists Martin Seligman and Steven Maier during their experiments in the late 1960s.
In these experiments, subjects exposed to situations in which they had no control over negative outcomes began to behave helplessly, failing to take action even when opportunities for change presented themselves. The subjects had learned to be helpless, hence the term "learned helplessness."
Learned helplessness can manifest in various ways and in different life areas. For example, it might show up in the workplace where an employee, after repeated failures, gives up trying to attain a promotion. Similarly, in an academic context, a student who consistently struggles might develop a sense of helplessness, ceasing to put effort into their studies.
Learned helplessness not only affects motivation, learning, and problem-solving but also has broader implications for mental health. It has been linked with depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. The feeling of helplessness can induce a state of passive resignation and a belief that one's actions are irrelevant.
When an individual experiences learned helplessness, they may exhibit a pessimistic explanatory style, consistently attributing negative outcomes to personal failings. This self-deprecating perspective amplifies feelings of helplessness and can potentially trigger a vicious cycle of failure and despair.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a widely-used psychological treatment that can be effective in managing learned helplessness. CBT focuses on changing unhelpful cognitive distortions (or thoughts) and behaviors, improving emotional regulation, and developing personal coping strategies.
Cultivating a sense of mastery over smaller tasks can provide a foundation to tackle more complex challenges. The ability to control outcomes, even in minor ways, can gradually dismantle the belief system that underlies learned helplessness.
Encouraging an optimistic outlook is another crucial aspect of overcoming learned helplessness. Optimism doesn't mean denying the reality of difficulties but involves holding onto a positive view of the future, despite current obstacles.
Social support plays a pivotal role in overcoming feelings of helplessness. Engaging with supportive friends, family, or mentors can provide encouragement, promote resilience, and motivate change.
While learned helplessness can create a significant obstacle to personal development and mental well-being, understanding its dynamics allows for targeted interventions. Strategies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, building mastery, fostering optimism, and seeking social support can help individuals reclaim control and pave the way towards a more empowered, optimistic mindset.
Grouport Therapy provides online group therapy for anger management, anxiety, borderline personality, chronic illness, depression, dialectical behavior therapy, grief and loss, obsessive compulsive disorder, relationship issues and trauma and PTSD. Our licensed therapist leads weekly group sessions conducted remotely in the comfort of members' homes. According to participant feedback, 70% experienced significant improvements within 8 weeks.
You don't have to face these challenges alone. Join our community and work together towards a brighter future. Sign up for one of our courses today and begin your journey towards meaningful, lasting change and renewed hope.
Due to licensing restrictions, our online group therapy sessions are for Florida, New York, and New Jersey residents. If you are not a resident of either state, consider our dialectical behavior therapy skills group. It is a therapist-instructor-led online group that will teach you strategic new skills to replace behaviors and emotions causing friction in your daily life and relationships. It is excellent for interpersonal connections and building social skills concerning relationship issues.
We offer online group therapy, & each group has a personalized program of guidance, support, skills, and advice developed by our therapists.
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