01

7-Column Thought Record

The core CBT tool for examining automatic thoughts. Move through each column to identify the thought, evaluate evidence, and find a balanced perspective.

How to use this: Work left to right. Start with the situation that triggered an emotional shift, then track what you felt, what your mind said, and the evidence for and against that thought. End by writing a more balanced alternative.
Situation
Emotions
Hot Thought
Evidence
Balanced
Outcome

Who, what, when, where — just the observable facts

Name each emotion and rate it 0–100

What did your body feel?

The thought linked most strongly to the emotion. Rate belief 0–100%.

Evidence that supports it
Evidence that doesn't support it

Go back to the emotions you listed above and re-rate each one now (0–100)

Reflection prompt

"If a close friend described this situation and thought to me, what would I gently say to them?"

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02

Daily Mood Log

Track mood across seven emotions throughout the day. Noticing patterns across situations is the first step toward change.

Rate each emotion 0–10 right now, or at the end of each day. Add notes on what influenced the score — situations, thoughts, or behaviors that stood out.
Reflection prompt

"On days when my mood shifted for the better, even briefly — what was happening in those moments?"

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03

Hot Cross Bun Model

Maps the five-part connection between situation, thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and behaviors — showing how each area influences the others.

Start with a situation where you noticed a strong emotional reaction. Fill in each quadrant. Then look for the arrows — where is the feedback loop running? Which area, if shifted, would create the most relief?
🧠 Thoughts
💛 Emotions
🫀 Physical sensations
🏃 Behaviors

e.g., When I have the thought "I'll fail," my body tenses, which makes me avoid — which then confirms the thought

Change the thought Move the body Name the emotion Slow the breath Do the avoided thing Reach out to someone Reduce stimulation
Reflection prompt

"Which part of the cycle do I have the most power over right now? What would it mean to intervene there, even imperfectly?"

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04

Core Belief Work

Core beliefs are the deep, unconditional assumptions we hold about ourselves, others, and the world. This worksheet helps identify, test, and gradually reshape them.

Core beliefs often surface during automatic thought work as underlying rules: "Because I made this mistake, it means I am…" Use the downward arrow technique — keep asking "what does this mean about me?" until you reach the root assumption.

State it in the first person, as absolutely as it feels when it's active

Current belief rating 50%
0% — don't believe at all100% — believe completely

Early experiences, messages from caregivers, repeated situations…

Experiences that seem to confirm it
Experiences that challenge it

Not a forced positive — something more nuanced that accounts for both columns above

New belief rating 20%
0%100%
Reflection prompt

"What would it cost me to hold this belief a little more loosely? What might become possible if I did?"

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05

Behavioral Activation Planner

Depression and anxiety narrow our world. This planner schedules activities that restore a sense of mastery, pleasure, or connection — even in small doses.

Identify activities across three categories: mastery (things that give a sense of accomplishment), pleasure (things you enjoy or used to enjoy), and connection (contact with other people). Rate predicted vs. actual mood to test your predictions.

Tasks, chores, responsibilities

Things you enjoy or enjoyed

Contact, community, presence

Weekly schedule — predicted vs. actual mood

Day Planned activity Predicted mood (0–10) Actual mood (0–10) What I noticed
Reflection prompt

"Waiting to feel motivated before acting often keeps us stuck. What if action came first, and motivation followed — even slightly?"

You've completed all five worksheets. All five CBT tools are filled in. Consider reviewing your thought records over time to notice how your thinking patterns shift — and save or print this page to revisit.
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