Basics & Core Concepts
This therapy helps people reshape unhelpful thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
What is *Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
In CBT, these are quick, reflexive thoughts that arise in response to a situation.
What are automatic thoughts?
Naming thinking errors like “all-or-nothing” and “mind reading” helps address these.
What are cognitive distortions?
This CBT method helps identify and challenge distorted ways of thinking.
What is cognitive restructuring?
In CBT, this technique gradually exposes someone to feared situations to reduce anxiety.
What is exposure therapy?
This foundational CBT concept links thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a continuous cycle.
What is the CBT model (thoughts–feelings–behaviors triangle)?
This CBT technique involves tracking the situations that trigger emotions and thoughts.
What is a thought record?
This type of distorted thinking assumes the worst possible outcome will occur.
What is catastrophizing?
In CBT, this is the process of testing the accuracy of an unhelpful thought.
What is challenging thoughts?
Tracking activities aimed at improving mood or reducing avoidance is called this.
What is behavioral activation?
CBT asserts that changing any of these three interconnected parts can improve mental health.
What are thoughts, feelings, and behaviors?
Recording your emotions and their intensity is part of this CBT activity.
What is mood tracking?
This type of cognitive distortion involves seeing things in black and white.
What is all-or-nothing thinking?
This CBT worksheet asks you to replace a negative thought with a more balanced one
What is a cognitive restructuring worksheet?
This approach borrowed from meditation teaches presence and reduces rumination. It is also important part of DBT.
What is mindfulness?
This CBT idea holds that your interpretation of an event informs how you feel.
What is cognitive appraisal?
This is a common worksheet where you rate emotions on a scale (e.g., 0–100).
What is an emotion intensity rating chart?
This distortion makes people believe they know what others are thinking without evidence.
Answer: What is mind reading?
In CBT, this refers to consciously doing the opposite of an emotional urge.
What is opposite action?
In CBT and treatment planning, this type of goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
What is a SMART goal?
The first step in CBT often involves clarifying these before any interventions begin
What are goals?
These worksheets help challenge unhelpful beliefs by mapping out thoughts and evidence.
What are thought records?
When you focus on one negative detail and ignore all positives, this distortion is present.
What is negative filtering?
This CBT skill helps people act in alignment with goals despite uncomfortable feelings.
What is behavioral activation?
The Biggest Fan of CBT in the world
Jack Burke