I have been working on CBT for about 6 weeks, but I have not been able to really grasp how to deal with the automatic emotions that happen in response to a triggering event. Am I thinking about this right?

- trigger happens
- automatic emotion occurs in response (fear, anxiety, etc)
- acknowledge the emotion and thoughts that appear
- choose how to react to those emotions and thoughts (defuse, sooth, etc)
- over time, that automatic emotional response should happen less often

Suggestions or input appreciated