Thoughts Or Feelings is a quiz-style exercise aimed at helping clients differentiate between cognitions and emotions, which can be used within a cognitive behavioral therapy framework.
Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
A fillable version of the resource. This can be edited and saved in Adobe Acrobat, or other PDF editing software.
An editable Microsoft PowerPoint version of the resource.
Differentiating between thoughts and feelings (emotions and bodily sensations) is a vital skill in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Thoughts are often opinions or assumptions that can change and be reinterpreted, while feelings typically arise from how individuals perceive something. By altering their thought processes, people can modify their feelings. Many clients initially struggle to distinguish between the two and may be confused by statements like "I feel stupid," which mix an emotion with a thought. The Thoughts Or Feelings quiz is a simple exercise designed to help clients practice differentiating between their thoughts and feelings.
The versatile exercise can be used in many ways:
Helps distinguish between anxious thoughts and feelings.
Aids clients in differentiating depressive cognitions and low mood.
Provides insight into the distinct between cognitive evaluations and emotional reactions.
Explain the difference between thoughts and feelings.
Discuss simple examples that demonstrate how thoughts influence feelings.
Use the worksheet as an in-session or between-session activity.
Review answers together to develop further understanding and insight.
Encourage clients to recognize the differences between their thoughts and feelings.
The Thoughts or Feelings resource is based on principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which emphasizes the important distinction between thoughts (cognition) and emotions (affect). Understanding this distinction is a fundamental aspect of CBT, where therapeutic interventions often focus on changing maladaptive thoughts to bring about emotional and behavioral change.
This exercise serves as a practical tool for clients, helping them identify and articulate these differences. This exercise can also be beneficial for therapists as a training resource, serving as a refresher on these key concepts.
- Beck, A.T., Rush, A.J., Shaw, B.F., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford.