I have borne witness to the powerful role that an individual's ability to think about and plan for the future plays in trauma recovery and overall mental health. Future thinking, or the capacity to envision and consider the long-term consequences of one's actions, can profoundly impact the choices we make and the paths we choose to follow.

Here we will explore the connection between future thinking, trauma, and reward delay, offering insights into how this cognitive skill can be harnessed to improve mental health outcomes and facilitate healing in the aftermath of trauma. 

When faced with traumatic experiences, it is not uncommon for individuals to become focused on the present moment, as their immediate survival and well-being take precedence. 

This present-oriented mindset can lead to difficulties in considering the long-term implications of their actions, often resulting in impulsive decisions and a preference for immediate rewards. Delay discounting, the tendency to devalue future rewards in favour of immediate gratification, has been linked to various mental health issues, such as substance use disorders, depression, and anxiety.

By enhancing future thinking and reducing reward delay, individuals can make more informed decisions that better align with their long-term goals and values, ultimately promoting improved mental health and well-being. 

To harness the power of future thinking in trauma recovery and mental health, consider implementing the following strategies:

Develop goal-setting skills: Encourage individuals to set clear, realistic, and achievable long-term goals, as well as smaller, incremental objectives that can serve as stepping stones towards their larger aspirations. This process can help them develop a sense of purpose and direction, motivating them to prioritise future rewards over immediate gratification. 

Cultivate mindfulness and self-awareness: Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, can help individuals enhance their self-awareness and cultivate a more balanced perspective on the present moment. By fostering greater awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, they can more effectively engage in future thinking and make choices that align with their long-term goals.

Practice mental time travel: Encourage individuals to engage in mental time travel, envisioning themselves in the future and contemplating the potential outcomes of their current actions. This exercise can help them develop a more vivid and concrete understanding of the long-term consequences of their decisions, making it easier to prioritise future rewards.

Strengthen executive functioning: Executive functioning, which encompasses a range of cognitive skills such as planning, organising, and self-control, plays a crucial role in future thinking and reward delay. Strengthen these skills through targeted interventions, such as cognitive - behavioural therapy (CBT) or working memory training, to support individuals in making more future-oriented choices.

Foster optimism and hope: A positive outlook on the future can motivate individuals to prioritise long-term goals and rewards, even in the face of adversity. Encourage optimism and hope by helping individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns, set achievable goals, and celebrate their successes along the way. 

Encourage social support: A strong support network can provide encouragement, guidance, and accountability, helping individuals stay focused on their long-term goals and resist the temptation of immediate rewards. Encourage individuals to cultivate connections with friends, family, and support groups, ensuring they have a diverse and reliable support system to lean on throughout their journey. 

Address underlying trauma: Unresolved trauma can hinder an individual's ability to engage in future thinking and make decisions that align with their long-term well-being. Utilise evidence-based trauma therapies, such as eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) or trauma-focused CBT, to help individual’s process and heal from their traumatic experiences.

In conclusion, future thinking is a powerful cognitive skill that can significantly impact an individual's ability to prioritise long-term goals and rewards over immediate gratification. By enhancing future thinking and reducing reward delay, individuals can make more informed decisions that better align with their values and aspirations, ultimately promoting improved mental health and well-being. 

As counsellors, our role is to guide and support individuals on this journey, providing a safe and nurturing environment where they can explore their experiences, confront their challenges, and ultimately rewrite their narratives with hope, strength, and resilience.