Self-Critical Thought Challenging Record

The Self-Critical Thought Challenging Record assists clients in identifying and challenging self-critical 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.

Fillable version (PDF)

A fillable version of the resource. This can be edited and saved in Adobe Acrobat, or other PDF editing software.

Editable version (PPT)

An editable Microsoft PowerPoint version of the resource.

Editable version (DOC)

An editable Microsoft Word version of the resource.

Overview

Disputing thoughts is an important skill in cognitive therapy. The Self-Critical Thought Challenging Record helps clients identify and question their self-critical thoughts. By writing down and re-evaluating these thoughts, clients can explore different perspectives, which helps reduce their distress.

Why Use This Resource?

The Self-Critical Thought Challenging Record helps clients:

Identify and decentre from self-critical thoughts.
Recognize how these thoughts affect their emotions.
Practice responding to their self-criticisms by considering alternative perspectives.
Reduce the distress linked to self-criticism.

Key Benefits

Insight

Enhances clients' awareness of self-critical thoughts and their impact.

Structure

Provides a systematic method to identify and re-evalaute self-critical thoughts.

Balance

Helps clients to develop more balanced, adaptive thoughts.

Practical

Can be used within sessions or between sessions as homework.

Who is this for?

Depression

Targeting harsh, self-blaming thoughts.

Low Self-Esteem

Addressing critical thoughts that contribute to low self-worth.

Perfectionism

Challenging self-critical thoughts related to imperfection or perceive failure.

Integrating it into your practice

Identify

Guide clients in identifying specific situations that trigger self-critical thoughts.

Record

Encourage detailed recording of self-criticisms, emotions, and bodily sensations in those moments.

Evaluate

Help clients re-evaluate their self-critical thoughts by considering alternative perspectives.

Reflect

Encourage clients to assess emotional changes after disputing their thoughts.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

Re-evaluating negative automatic thoughts is a key intervention in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This record helps clients identify and reframe self-critical thoughts, reducing emotional distress and encouraging more balanced self-evaluations.

By teaching clients to reframe their self-critical thoughts using a structured format, therapists equip clients with a valuable skill that can be applied in various situations.

What's inside

Step-by-step guidance for using this resource.
Suggestions for helping clients get the most out of this tool.
Worked examples that illustrate the process of cognitive restructuring.

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FAQs

Start by discussing the role of self-critical thoughts in emotional distress and the benefits of re-evaluating these thoughts.

Practice in-session and encourage clients to consider multiple points of view (e.g., what they would say to friend who had a similar thought).

Absolutely, it's designed to be used both during sessions and as homework.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

By using this resource, therapists facilitate:

Greater awareness of self-critical thoughts.
More balanced self-evaluations.
Improvements in mood.

Clinicians Who Use This Resource Also Use

References And Further Reading

Beck, A.T., Rush, A.J., Shaw, B.F., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford.
Fennell, M. (2016). Overcoming low self-esteem: A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques. Hachette UK.

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