CBT Thought Record - Portrait

The CBT Thought Record is a tool designed to help clients identify and re-evaluate negative automatic thoughts.

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Professional version

Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Client version

Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Editable version (PPT)

An editable Microsoft PowerPoint version of the resource.

Overview

Cognitive therapy emphasizes the impact that thoughts have on emotions and behavior. Beck’s cognitive model asserts that our interpretation of events - rather than the events themselves - shapes our emotional responses. The CBT Thought Record helps clients examine their negative automatic thoughts (NATs) to support accurate thinking and reduce distress.

Why Use This Resource?

This resource aims to assist clients in identifying cognitive biases, re-evaluating automatic thoughts, and developing healthier thinking patterns. It provides a practical format for:

  • Identifying automatic thoughts.
  • Evaluating the evidence for and against these thoughts.
  • Supporting the development of more realistic balanced appraisals.
  • Enhancing clients' understanding of how their thoughts and emotions connect."

Key Benefits

Insight

Provides insight into problematic thought patterns.

Accuracy

Encourages more balanced accurate thinking.

Versatility

Suitable for a range of difficulties."

Structure

Offers a structured framework for examining and re-evaluating automatic thoughts.

Who is this for?

Depression

Characterized by self-criticism and self-blaming thoughts.

Anxiety Disorders

Often involving catastrophic thinking.

Low Self-Esteem

Marked by negative self-appraisals.

Integrating it into your practice

01

Identify

Record situation that led to a change in mood.

02

Record

Capture the emotional response to the situation and rate its intensity.

03

Analyze

Identify key NATs and the evidence that seems to support them.

04

Examine

Re-evaluate NATs by recording contradictory evidence.

05

Synthesize

Develop a balanced, alternative thought.

06

Reflect

Explore any emotional shifts following cognitive restructuring.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

Thought records are a key tool in CBT. Cognitive theory posits that there are various levels of cognition — ranging from deeper core beliefs to more surface-level automatic thoughts - that influence how individuals feel and behave. The model suggests that by modifying problematic or distressing cognitions, one can alter emotional reactions and achieve therapeutic change.

Therapists guide clients through identifying automatic thoughts and re-evaluating them. By examining the evidence that supports and contradicts them, clients learn to develop alternative, more accurate thoughts that reduce distress and improve functioning.

What's inside

  • A detailed worksheet for re-evaluating automatic thoughts.
  • Easy to use sections for documenting problem situations, emotions, and NATs.
  • Guidance for therapists on how to use the thought record most effectively.
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FAQs

The CBT Thought Record aims to help clients identify and re-evaluate automatic thoughts (including images and memories) that contribute to their difficulties.
Many clients benefit from learning how to re-evaluate their automatic thoughts.
Encourage the client to reflect on whether the thought is helpful and consider how they might respond to a close friend who had a similar thought.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

The CBT Thought Record bolsters therapeutic outcomes by:

  • Enhancing clients' awareness of automatic thoughts and cognitive biases.
  • Encouraging more balanced thinking, which can help alleviate emotional distress.
  • Helping clients evaluate their automatic thoughts between sessions.

References And Further Reading

  • Beck, A.T. & Beck J.S. (1995). Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond. New York: Guilford.
  • Beck, A.T., Rush, A.J., Shaw, B.F., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford.
  • Greenberger, D., Padesky, C. (1995). Mind over mood: Change how you feel by changing the way you think. New York: The Guilford Press.