CBT model worksheets
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If you’re a therapist looking for CBT model worksheets to explain the CBT model to clients, you’re in the right place.
This guide to CBT model worksheets gives mental health therapists a brief overview of cognitive behavioral therapy, its benefits, and how using the CBT model can help clients with anxiety and emotional regulation.
Therapists can also download a free CBT model PDF above to save to their electronic health record (EHR) for repeated use with clients.
What is the CBT model?
The cognitive behavioral model works on the premise that people's behaviors are influenced by their perceptions of events.
In other words, it isn’t the event that determines a person's feelings; it is how they think about and interpret it.
For example, if Sarah believes she is unlovable, she may avoid social situations and assume when interacting with a new person that they are inherently uninterested in her.
The core principles of CBT are:
- Core beliefs: Deeply held beliefs about oneself, the world, and others.
- Dysfunctional assumptions: Maladaptive beliefs and thoughts that create conditional rules for living.
- Negative automatic thoughts: These are negative thoughts that are involuntarily activated in certain situations.
For example, a person with anxiety who has a core belief that they are stupid may think they are going to fail at specific tasks, like completing a college assignment, or that they won’t be able to cope with failure.
The CBT model is a framework for understanding behaviors and distress—a process called formulation—and cognitively reshaping these beliefs and thoughts into more adaptive thinking and behaviors.
The goal of CBT is to teach and empower clients to be their own therapists through formulation, and equip them with the tools to change their cognitive and behavioral patterns.
Examples of the CBT model for anxiety
The following scenarios illustrate the CBT model in practice:
CBT model of anxiety
Example 1: Client with social anxiety
Situation: Dave was asked by his boss to attend a social event.
- Thoughts: “I’ll embarrass myself, everyone will judge me, and people will think I’m weird and socially awkward.”
- Emotions: Anxiety, fear, and worry.
- Behaviors: He avoids the event, isolates himself during it, or drinks a lot of alcohol to cope with it and has to leave early.
CBT approach: Dave learns to challenge the thought by asking himself the following questions:
- What evidence do I have that people will judge me or think I am socially awkward?
- What are some examples where I have embarrassed myself in these types of situations?
- Have people told me I am socially awkward? Where did that belief come from?
- What are some more helpful ways to think about this situation? For example: “People are usually focused on themselves and their insecurities to notice mine” or “The only time I was told I was socially awkward was when I was a child and my mom was being mean.”
CBT model of emotions
Situation: Sarah receives an unexpected medical bill and has limited savings.
- Thoughts: “I’ll never be able to pay this. I don’t have any money.”
- Emotions: Anxiety, helplessness, fear, worry.
- Behaviors: She avoids looking at her finances, puts off paying the bill, and is so stressed that she avoids an offer of overtime at work.
CBT approach: Sarah uses CBT skills she learned in therapy to more accurately assess the situation by:
- Identifying her automatic thoughts and asking herself: “Is this thought realistic? Have I managed unexpected expenses before?”
- Challenging the thought: “I’ve handled financial challenges in the past. I can create a plan.”
- Reframing the thought: “This is difficult, but I can manage it step-by-step.”
Benefits of using CBT model worksheets
Cognitive behavioral therapy has been extensively researched and found to be effective for the treatment of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and personality disorders.
Using CBT model worksheets with clients is a great way to incorporate the practice of CBT in your sessions.
The use of CBT model worksheets can have several benefits, including:
Provides structure and clarity in sessions
CBT model worksheets illustrate the CBT framework, teaching clients how to identify and understand the connection between their beliefs, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Improves self-awareness
Worksheets that explain the CBT model can help clients identify their maladaptive thought patterns, emotional responses, and subsequent behaviors.
Skill development
Used as handouts, CBT model worksheets guide clients to practice CBT techniques, such as reviewing the evidence, cognitive restructuring, and problem-solving outside of therapy.
Progress monitoring
Worksheets allow therapists and clients to review progress and adjust treatment as needed.
Empowerment
By teaching clients these skills and providing CBT model worksheets to use at home, clients can feel empowered to manage their symptoms independently.
Sources
- American Psychological Association. (n.d.). What is cognitive behavioral therapy?
- Byrne, M. (2013). The principles of cognitive behavioral therapy. Sage Journals.
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