CBT Reality Testing Worksheet
By
HappierTherapy
Author bio
The Happier Therapy editorial team is made up of Masters and PhD counselling psychologists. Each worksheet is created by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The worksheet then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely used psychological treatment that has proven effective for a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and stress. The CBT Reality Testing Worksheet is designed to help individuals challenge and test the reality of their negative thoughts, often called cognitive distortions.
What Are The Theories Behind This Worksheet?
The theories behind this worksheet are rooted in CBT principles, which suggest that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. According to CBT, negative thought patterns can lead to emotional distress and unhelpful behaviors. The Reality Testing Worksheet is based on the cognitive restructuring process, aiming to identify and challenge irrational or distorted thoughts.
How Will This Worksheet Help You?
This worksheet is designed to guide you through examining your thoughts more critically and objectively. It helps identify thoughts that may not be based on reality or evidence and encourages considering alternative viewpoints or evidence. Doing so can reduce emotional distress and develop a more balanced perspective on situations that trouble you.
How Should You Use This Worksheet?
Start by identifying a specific thought that is causing you distress. Write it down in the worksheet, then follow the prompts to examine the evidence for and against this thought, consider alternative explanations, and assess its accuracy.
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References
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Burns, D. D. (1980). Feeling good: The new mood therapy. New York: New American Library.
https://www.worldcat.org/title/feeling-good-the-new-mood-therapy/oclc/6143867
