Thought or Feeling?
Lonely
Feeling. What is a thought you have when you feel lonely?
I'm never going to feel better.
Feelings come and go. I can do activities to help me feel better in the moment.
You got blamed for something you didn't do.
angry, frustrated, annoyed, disappointed
A person you don't know comes to the door. What is your automatic thought?
Who is that? What if it's a bad guy?
What are some other possibilities?
Only kids need therapy.
False! Adults go to therapy all the time to learn the same things as kids
What if they don't like me?
Thought. What is the feeling?
I failed the test, I must not be smart.
I can get things wrong and learn how to do better next time. Failure is part of learning.
You made a mistake but got it right the second try.
Relief, excited, proud, happy
You make a mistake on an assignment. What is your automatic thought?
Is that a positive or negative thought? If it's negative, let's try to make it a positive!
Parents are responsible for making their kids feel better all the time, no matter what.
False! Parents can try to help their kids feel better but our feelings, behaviors, and thoughts are only up to ourselves. Parents can't always help. Sometimes kids have to feel better on their own (like when they're at school and parents aren't around).
What's the point in trying?
Thought. What feeling is behind the thought?
I've had a bad morning, I'm just going to give up.
I have the rest of the day for things to get better.
You got in trouble for hitting or yelling at your sibling.
embarrassed, humiliated, angry, worried, mad, sad, disappointed
Your mom is crying when you get home from school. What is your automatic thought?
What emotion does this create in you? Is this thought true or helpful? If not, can we change it?
Therapy and medication makes us feel better overnight.
False - therapy and medication can take awhile to work. We can help ourselves feel better by using healthy coping skills with practice, which may take some time.
Frustrated
Feeling. What would a thought be that goes with this feeling?
What if I don't feel safe?
I can ask for help from a grown up. I can feel safe by using coping skills to help me feel safe. I can call professionals for help in case of an emergency. Who can you call for help?
You have to go somewhere you don't want to go.
Possible feelings could be: annoyed, nervous, worried, frustrated, scared, angry, bored, confused. Any others?
Your parents are frustrated with you because you forgot to put your toys away before bed.
Is this thought true? Is this helpful? If NO to either of these questions, how can we replace the thought with something more accurate and more helpful?
Thoughts are the same thing as feelings.
False. BONUS: How are they different?
I am so strong, I can do anything I set my mind to!
Thought. What is the feeling?
If I make one mistake, that means I don't understand anything.
I'm still learning. If I keep practicing, I'll get better.
You got into an argument with a friend.
sad, disappointed, frustrated, hurt
You don't want to wake up in the morning.
Is this thought true? Is this helpful? If NO to either of these questions, how can we replace the thought with something more accurate and more helpful?
True or False: anxiety is always bad
False! Some anxiety is good because it keeps us safe! Can you think of an example?