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Develop New Alternative Balanced Thoughts
Thought records are used in cognitive therapy to help people become more aware of the relationship between situations, thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Learning to develop new alternative balanced thoughts is key to changing how you feel and what you do. Describe three situations in the past 6 months in which you had strong emotional reactions and then list your feelings and thoughts. Your first thought may not be completely accurate or helpful so in the final column list what you think are more balanced automatic thoughts and beliefs.
| # | Disturbing Situation — Describe the situation | Moods/Emotions — List your feelings or moods | Automatic Thoughts — What were you thinking? | Alternative/Balanced Thoughts — Write a more balanced thought |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | ||||
| 2. | ||||
| 3. |