CBT
TRIANGLE
TRIANGLE
What are the 3 parts of the CBT triangle?
Thoughts, Feelings, Behaviors
What is a negative automatic thought?
A quick, unhelpful thought that pops into your mind
Name one physical sign of anxiety.
Sweating, fast heartbeat, shaking
Name one healthy coping skill.
Deep breathing, music, talking to someone, journaling
You text someone and they don’t respond.
What’s a negative thought?
“They’re ignoring me”
If you change your thoughts, what else can change?
Feelings and behaviors
What is “all-or-nothing thinking”?
Seeing things as all good or all bad
True or False: Feelings are facts.
False
What is grounding?
Focusing on the present moment
Same situation — give a balanced thought.
“They might be busy”
Example: “I failed my test so I’m stupid.”
Which part of the triangle is this?
Thought
If someone thinks “Nobody likes me,” what’s a better balanced thought?
“Some people may not, but others do”
What’s the difference between thoughts and feelings?
Thoughts = what you think, Feelings = emotions you feel
Name a coping skill for anger.
Taking a break, exercise, breathing
You feel anxious before a group. What’s a coping skill?
Deep breathing, positive self-talk
Name one way behaviors can affect thoughts.
Example: Avoiding things can increase negative thoughts
What’s one question you can ask to challenge a negative thought?
“Is this 100% true?” / “What evidence do I have?”
Give an example of a situation that could cause different feelings for different people.
Open-ended (OPEN DISCUSSION)
Why are unhealthy coping skills harmful?
They may feel good short-term but cause problems later
You think “I’ll never get better.” Challenge it.
“Recovery takes time, I’m working on it”
Give an example of how feelings affect behavior.
Example: Feeling anxious → avoiding people
Name a thinking error where you assume the worst will happen.
Catastrophizing
Why is it important to identify your feelings?
Helps you understand and manage reactions
Give an example of replacing an unhealthy coping skill with a healthy one.
Instead of isolating → call a friend
You feel triggered and want to use. What’s a healthier choice?
Call support, distraction, grounding