Putting Thoughts on Trial for Teens

Putting Thoughts on Trial for Teens Worksheet Overview

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is kind of like being in a courtroom for your thoughts. A negative or distorted thought is on trial – but it’s got a super convincing lawyer trying to defend it. The lawyer uses some shady tricks, like presenting “evidence” to the jury that isn’t actually true. Sometimes, these so-called facts are just opinions or guesses. This worksheet walks teens through putting a thought on trial and catching evidence that’s actually an interpretation.

In this worksheet, we’ll:

• Walk through a distorted thought being put “on trial”
• Check the “evidence” that a shady lawyer submits supporting the distorted thought
• Present real evidence against the distorted thought and come to a more balanced conclusion
• Provide space and guidance to put your own distorted thought on trial