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A free tool · About 5 minutes

Thought Record

A thought record helps you slow down a difficult moment and look at it from more than one angle. You will capture the thought, weigh the evidence, and see if a more balanced view is possible.

  1. I. Describe the situation and the thought.
  2. II. Look at the evidence on both sides.
  3. III. Find a more balanced perspective, and see how the feeling shifts.

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Jack Wells · CBT Therapist

01 / 07

What was the situation?

Where were you? What was happening? A sentence or two is enough.

A short paragraph is plenty.

02 / 07

What went through your mind?

Try to capture the exact thought, like a sentence.

Thoughts often start with "I should...", "What if...", or "They probably think...". Whatever came up is worth writing down.
03 / 07

What did you feel?

Name the feeling, then rate how strong it was.

How strong was the feeling?

Barely there Overwhelming
50
04 / 07

What supports this thought?

What evidence do you have that this thought is true?

05 / 07

What goes against this thought?

What would you say to a friend who had this thought?

It is normal for this side to feel harder. Take your time.
06 / 07

Can you find a fairer way to put it?

Not positive, not negative. Just more balanced.

Now re-rate the original feeling.

Barely there Overwhelming
50

Your thought record.

You have just done what a CBT therapist would walk you through in session. The skill gets easier with practice. In therapy, we would do this together and start to notice your patterns over time.

Vision Wellbeing
Situation
Automatic Thought
Emotion
Evidence For
Evidence Against
Balanced Thought
Created at visionwellbeing.co.uk
Jack Wells · CBT Therapist

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