Inner Balance Atlanta

Are Your Thoughts Making You Feel Worse? 8 Common Cognitive Distortions

Have you ever had a bad day and thought, “Of course this happened. Everything always goes wrong for me”?

Or made one small mistake and immediately thought, “I’m such an idiot”?

Or sent a text to someone and, when they didn’t respond, assumed, “They’re mad at me.”

These thoughts can feel completely true in the moment. But sometimes, our minds fall into predictable patterns that make situations seem worse, more threatening, or more personal than they actually are.

In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), these patterns are called cognitive distortions.

Cognitive distortions are habitual ways of interpreting situations that can contribute to anxiety, depression, self-criticism, and other forms of emotional distress. Everyone experiences them from time to time—especially when we’re stressed, overwhelmed, or upset.

The goal isn’t to eliminate negative thoughts or force yourself to “think positive.” Instead, CBT helps you notice these patterns, question them, and develop a more balanced way of looking at what’s happening.

Here are eight common cognitive distortions you might recognize in your own thinking. Check out our blog for more info on each cognitive distortion, and what to do with them. Link in bio.

We are so pleased to welcome Josh Wayne to the team!

Josh works with adults, couples, teens, and young adults navigating anxiety, communication difficulties, relationship concerns, life transitions, burnout, identity exploration, chronic stress, grief and loss, and questions of meaning or purpose. He also enjoys supporting individuals living with chronic illness, digestive concerns, and IBS, especially when health challenges affect stress, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

For clients who are interested, Josh also integrates nature-informed approaches, including walk-and-talk therapy, mindfulness outdoors, and movement-based practices.

In many ways, we are more connected than ever. We likely text all day, follow along with the lives of hundreds of people online, and know what acquaintances ate for lunch from across the country. Yet many people still report feeling disconnected. While digital connection can be a great way to stay in touch with friends and family, there is something about sharing physical space with another human being that cannot be replaced.

Not surprisingly, many people are beginning to push back against digital overwhelm and seek more meaningful, in-person connection. We’re seeing growing interest in book clubs, hobby groups, and other intentional community gatherings centered around shared values and authentic conversation. Many people are intentionally seeking opportunities to reconnect offline and build community again.

If there is one hopeful truth in the midst of the loneliness epidemic, it may be this: the longing for connection is not a sign that something is wrong with us — it is evidence of something deeply human. And while meaningful connection can take courage, intention, and vulnerability to build, it is available to all of us.

At Inner Balance, we believe healing and growth happen not only within ourselves, but also in safe, meaningful connection with others. Creating spaces for authentic connection is one small way we hope to respond to this growing need.

Many women we work with are deeply self-aware and invested in their personal growth, yet still find themselves feeling disconnected.

Maybe they’re new to Atlanta, have drifted apart from longtime friends, or find that their current relationships feel more surface-level than nourishing. Building authentic connection as an adult can be surprisingly hard.

That’s one of the reasons women have been drawn to our upcoming Pathways to Flourishing group coaching program — a space to grow alongside other women who are also seeking deeper meaning, connection, and support.

While we can’t promise you’ll meet your new best friend, we can promise an opportunity to connect authentically and meaningfully with other women in a warm, intentional environment.

This in-person group explores the psychology of flourishing through connection — to our own bodies, to nature, to community, and to spirituality or purpose. Sessions include experiential exercises, group discussions and support, and gentle accountability to help turn insight into meaningful change.

We start next week & have space for one more. If that’s you, reach out to group facilitator, Rebekah Baldwin at [email protected].

DETAILS

When: Thursdays from 7:00-8:30 PM*
*there will be one Tuesday meeting and we’ll take breaks- please reach out for exact schedule
Where: In Person at Inner Balance Counseling Poncey Highlands Location
Length: 6 sessions starting Thursday, May 28th
Cost: $300-500, sliding scale
Facilitated by Rebekah Baldwin, Holistic Life Coach

Want more info? Find the link in our bio.

Do You Feel:
• Like you are going through the motions or that there must be a more meaningful, fulfilling way to live?
• Ready to create change in your life but unsure where to start, and as a result feel stuck or stagnant?
• Isolated or lonely and wish that you had deeper connections and a greater sense of community?
• Aware of what behaviors and practices would be beneficial for you, but find it difficult to actually do those things on a regular basis?

We’d love for you to be a part of the upcoming Pathways to Flourishing group coaching program, a transformative 6-week journey.

This Group Is For You If You Are:
• on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
• ready to step into the most authentic & fulfilled version of yourself.
• seeking more joy, peace and purpose in your day-to-day life.
• looking to connect with like-minded people for mutual support and inspiration.
• motivated to take action and create new behaviors & ways of being in the world.

What's in Store for You? Weekly in-person gatherings will explore various pathways to holistic wellness, including food, movement, nature, relationships, and spirituality. Each session will include an experiential activity, space for authentic sharing and heartfelt support, and the creation of a personalized strategy to integrate your learnings & insights in the coming week. This group is all about taking actionable steps towards a better you, with the group holding you lovingly accountable.

~ When: Sundays, September 8 – October 13 | 5:00-6:30 PM (6 Sessions)
~ Where: Inner Balance Counseling – Poncey Highlands Location (685 Linwood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA)
~ Cost: $300-500, sliding scale
~ Facilitated by: Rebekah Baldwin, MA, Holistic Life Coach
For more details, please visit https://www.innerbalanceatlanta.com/groups

Let’s dig into nervous system regulation. Being “regulated” doesn’t mean you never get stressed, it means you know how to find your way back to center🌡️🙂‍↕️

This week on therapy speak demystified we’re talking reframing. What is it, what does it look like in practice, is it just repackaged toxic positivity? Swipe to learn more and leave a comment if there’s a therapy speak phrase or concept you’d like to hear us demystify next🤝

Clinical vocabulary or “therapy speak” is becoming more widespread. But what do these concepts actually mean? We’re kicking off a new series to break down the concepts and phrases you may hear thrown around in conversation or on social media. Welcome to therapy speak demystified✨

✨ 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 ✨

Healing isn’t just about “getting through it.”
It’s about being met with compassion, supported with real tools, and reminded you don’t have to carry it alone.

That’s why we’re honored to partner with Inner Balance Counseling. Their team leads with relationship, brings deep expertise, and offers holistic, evidence-based care for everything from anxiety and trauma to life transitions, ADHD, relationships, grief, boundaries, and LGBTQ+ support.

At The Powerful Project, we believe connection is foundational. Inner Balance lives that belief in every session.

If you’ve been needing support, consider this your sign: you deserve care that feels safe, affirming, and genuinely helpful.

Learn more or connect with them:
👉 Website: https://www.innerbalanceatlanta.com/
👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InnerBalanceAtlanta/
👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inner_balance_atlanta/

Join us for a thoughtful book discussion on The Signs by Dr. Tara Swart, exploring the science behind intuition and how to trust your inner guidance. We’ll be meeting on Thursday, November 5th from 7:00–8:30 pm, but feel free to start reading now! Our discussions are facilitated by Inner Balance Counseling director, Lauren Crawford Taylor, and Gail Turner-Cooper of Align Health Coaching. We gather at a private location in Candler Park (address provided upon RSVP). Ready to pull up a chair and join the conversation? Email [email protected] to reserve your spot.