Simple Thought Record
Self-monitoring of thoughts, feelings, and symptoms is an essential skill in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This Simple Thought Record is an excellent introduction to the process of collecting (negative) automatic thoughts, emotions, and the situations in which they are experienced.
Introducing complex thought monitoring & challenging forms (e.g. the traditional 7-column thought record) too early in therapy can be confusing for patients. Difficult early experiences of thought monitoring can be an obstacle to client’s engagement in therapy and sometimes a graduated approach is helpful. The Simple Thought Record is a straightforward worksheet to introduce the concept of identification of automatic thoughts and linking these to emotional states. Spending up to a couple of sessions simple practising the identification of automatic thoughts and images before attempting restructuring is often time very well spent.
The Simple Thought Record is a straightforward worksheet to introduce the concept of identification of automatic thoughts and linking these to emotional states. Spending up to a couple of sessions simple practising the identification of automatic thoughts and images before attempting restructuring is often time very well spent.
- Beck, A. T., Rush, A. J., Shaw, B. F., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford Press