Simple Thought Record
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Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
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Introduction & Theoretical Background
Beck’s cognitive model (Beck et al, 1979) proposes that events are not directly responsible for the way we feel. Rather, it is the interpretation of those events – our appraisals, thoughts, or cognitions – that trigger our emotional responses. The model implies that we can change how we feel by changing how we think. The CBT cognitive model describes different levels of cognition that underpin how we think about ourselves, other people and the world, shaping our interpretation and response to events. Moving from the deepest to the most superficial, these are:
- Core beliefs. These are understood as generalized statements that shape how an individual understands themselves, other people, and the world (e.g. “I’m competent”, “I’m unlovable”, “No one can be trusted”, “The world is dangerous and unpredictable”, “I’m adaptable”).
- Intermediate beliefs. These are understood as a set of assumptions that guide behavior across different situations. They can often
Therapist Guidance
“We have talked about how what we think affects the way we feel, and how thoughts often pop into our heads which make us feel anxious or sad. If we are going to work with your automatic thoughts we need to be able to catch them. One of the best ways of catching our thoughts is to use a thought record. Would you be willing to practice one with me now?”
- Situation. Entries in a thought record are completed with respect to specific situations or events. If you are completing a thought record retrospectively, you might start by cueing the client’s memory for a situation when they experienced a sudden or strong change in their emotions. Enough information about the situation should be recorded so that the event can be recalled and discussed when the thought record is reviewed.
- (If completing retrospectively) Can you think of a recent
References And Further Reading
- Beck, A.T. & Beck J.S. (1995). Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond. New York: Guilford.
- Beck, A.T., Rush, A.J., Shaw, B.F., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford.