Cognitive Distortions Worksheet Overview
When we are feeling very sad, worried, or upset, sometimes our brains can get stuck in certain “modes,” or ways of thinking. These are ways of thinking that aren’t actually true, but feel true in the moment. For example, if you make one mistake, your brain might distort the meaning of this mistake and see it as evidence of “always” making mistakes and getting things wrong. When we can name cognitive distortions, it can be easier to pause and look at a situation from a new perspective. Here are six common distortion “modes” and some examples of what they sound like
This cognitive distortions worksheet will go over the following cognitive distortions you may experience and help you practice looking at a situation in a new way:
- Fortune Teller Mode
- Mind Reader Mode
- All-or-Nothing Mode
- All My Fault Mode
- I Should / I Must Mode
- Ignoring the Positive Mode
This is a generic cognitive distortions worksheet and will work for most cases. If needed, we also have additional cognitive distortions worksheets that contain examples and other helpful details for specific disorders and situations:
ChoosingTherapy.com strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our worksheets. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
-
Beck, A. T. (1963). Thinking and depression: I. Idiosyncratic content and cognitive distortions. Archives of General Psychiatry, 9(4), 324-333. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1963.01720160014002
-
Beck, J. S. (2020). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
-
Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, I. J. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. (2012). The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 36(5), 427-440. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1
Therapist Directory at Psychology.com Find a licensed therapist near you on the Psychology.com directory. Many therapists accept insurance, offer in-person and online appointments, and have immediate availability. List Your Practice on Psychology.com Psychology.com is the therapist directory from the team behind ChoosingTherapy.com. List your practice with your first 30 days free, then $49 a month. Cancel any time.
Related Worksheets
