A thought or idea that opposes or contradicts another thought; a contradictory or opposing mental response.
From counter- + thought (from Old English þoht). A simple compound describing opposing cognitive processes.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is built on counterthought—when an anxious thought arises ('everyone will judge me'), you generate a counterthought ('some people will be kind, and others' opinions don't define me'). This isn't denial; it's cognitive balance.
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