Perspective-Taking

The Perspective-Taking worksheet is a cognitive restructuring tool designed to help clients view their difficulties from alternative viewpoints.

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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

Cognitive restructuring techniques in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teach clients ways of analyzing situations in ways that might initially be unfamiliar. A simple way of introducing cognitive restructuring is by framing it as perspective-taking: trying to look at difficulties from different points of view.

Why Use This Resource?

Perspective-Taking aids clients in moving beyond automatic, often biased, responses to stressors.

Helps clients interpret situations in more helpful ways.
Encourages flexible thinking and cognitive restructuring.
Provides a structured format for re-evaluating negative thoughts.

Key Benefits

Identification

Helps clients identify their automatic interpretations of situations.

Flexibility

Encourages clients to view these situations through different lenses.

Change

Supports cognitive restructuring.

Who is this for?

Depression

Challenging negative thought patterns that contribute to low mood.

Anxiety Disorders

Reframing catastrophic thinking and reducing distress.

Anger

Encouraging empathy and reducing reactivity.

Low Self-Esteem

Promoting reduced self-criticism.

Integrating it into your practice

Record

Instruct clients to identify specific events that cause distress.

Detail

Encourage detailed description of the situation, as well as associated thoughts and feelings.

Reframe

Use the prompts to help clients adopt alternative viewpoints.

Reflect

Discuss insights and any changes in the client's interpretations or distress.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

Clients may have habitual, biased, or schema-driven ways of viewing difficulties in their lives. Training them to think flexibly about their difficulties is an essential component of cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive restructuring techniques in CBT teach clients ways of analyzing situations in ways that might initially be unfamiliar. A simple way of introducing cognitive restructuring is by framing it as perspective-taking: trying to look at difficulties from different points of view. This worksheet helps clients to identify their automatic interpretation of a situation and then prompts them to think about that situation in a variety of ways. The goal of such an introductory exercise is not necessarily to effect dramatic changes in affect, but to gently introduce the concept of cognitive flexibility.

What's inside

Introduction to the resource.
Therapist guidance for using the resource with clients.
Key references and recommendations for further reading.

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FAQs

Prompts within the worksheet serve to guide exploration, and therapists can offer additional examples or use role-play to support the process.

Encourage clients to use the resource as regularly as possible to maximize benefits.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

By using this resource, clients benefit from:

Greater awareness of their automatic interpretations of events.
Improved cognitive flexibility.
Reduced emotional distress.

Therapists benefit from:

A effective tool that supports cognitive restructuring.
A versatile resource that can be used with a variety of clients.

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References And Further Reading

Beck, A.T., Rush, A.J., Shaw, B.F., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford.
Day, A., Howells, K., Mohr, P., Schall, E., & Gerace, A. (2008). The development of CBT programmes for anger: The role of interventions to promote perspective-taking skills. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 36(3), 299-312.

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