In cognitive therapy, the process of learning to refute cognitive distortions is called cognitive restructuring. The cognitive restructuring theory holds that your own unrealistic beliefs generate dysfunctional emotions. For example, because you set unachievable goals ("Everyone must love me; I have to be thoroughly competent; I have to be the best in everything") you logically fear failure. Cognitive restructuring, then advises you to change your irrational beliefs and substitute more rational ones ("I can fail. Although it would be nice, I didn't have to be the best in everything.") and Harper, 1975; Ellis 1998

The rationale used in cognitive restructuring attempts to strengthen the client's belief that 'self-talk' can influence performance and particularly that self-defeating thoughts or negative self-statements can cause emotional distress and interfere with performance.

Cognitive therapy | Emotion