Thought Record – Universal

Beck’s cognitive model (Beck, 1963; Beck & Haigh, 2014) suggests that events do not directly determine our feelings. Instead, it is our interpretation of those events – our appraisals, thoughts, and cognitions – that influences our emotional responses. Cognitive therapy proposes that we can change how we feel by changing what we think.

The cognitive model outlines three levels of cognition that shape our views about ourselves, other people, and the world, influencing our reactions to events (Beck et al., 1979; Beck, 1995). These levels, from the deepest to the most superficial, are:

• Core beliefs. Also known as unconditional beliefs and central assumptions. These are deep-rooted, global, and overgeneralized judgments about oneself, other people, and the world. They are usually phrased as absolute truths (e.g., “I am good”, “I am bad”) and experienced by individuals as “the way things are” (Dowd, 2002).
• Intermediate beliefs. Also referred to as underlying assumptions, associated beliefs, or

Step 1: Event

Thought records should be completed with respect to specific situations, particularly those involving sudden or significant changes in emotion. Clients should be instructed to complete a thought record whenever they notice a change in their feelings. Relevant contextual information for this first column can include factual details (e.g., date, time, location), external factors (e.g., tasks they were engaged in, interactions with others), or internal factors (e.g., past experiences they were reflecting on). Training clients to record specific details is crucial for understanding the reasons behind subsequent thoughts and responses:

• "Can you describe the situation that triggered a strong response in you?"
• "What happened just before you noticed a change in your mood?"
• "Were you aware of any triggers that led to a change in how you were feeling?"
• "Where were you? What were you doing? Who were you with?"

Step 2: Feelings

Thought records provide opportunities to reinforce the cognitive behavioral model, especially the

• Bagby, R. M., Quilty, L. C., Segal, Z. V., McBride, C. C., Kennedy, S. H., & Costa Jr, P. T. (2008). Personality and differential treatment response in major depression: a randomized controlled trial comparing cognitive-behavioural therapy and pharmacotherapy. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 53, 361-370.
• Beck, A. T. (1963). Thinking and depression: I. Idiosyncratic content and cognitive distortions. Archives of General Psychiatry, 9, 324-333. DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.1963.01720160014002.
• Beck, A. T. (1976). Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders. Penguin.
• Beck, A. T., Emery, G., & Greenberg, R. (1985). Anxiety disorders and phobias: A cognitive perspective. Basic Books.
• Beck, A. T., & Freeman, A. (1990). Cognitive therapy of personality disorders. Guilford Press.
• Beck, A. T., & Haigh, E. A. (2014). Advances in cognitive theory and therapy: The generic cognitive model. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 10, 1-24. DOI: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032813-153734.
• Beck, A. T., Rush, A. J., Shaw, B. F., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive therapy of depression. Guilford Press.
• Beck, A.