This NATS (Negative Automatic Thoughts) information sheet from WeHeartCBT is a clear, relatable resource designed to help older children and teenagers understand the unhelpful thoughts that can affect their mood, confidence and daily life. NATs are the automatic negative thoughts that pop into our heads—like “I can’t do this”, “Everyone’s judging me”, or “I’m not good enough.” While everyone experiences these thoughts sometimes, they can become a problem if they happen often and start to affect how we feel and what we do.
This printable worksheet teaches young people how to spot these thoughts, understand their impact, and reframe them in more helpful ways. It supports young people to take back control of their mindset, feel calmer and more confident, and take positive steps forward—even when anxious or uncertain.
What the worksheet includes:
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A simple explanation of what Negative Automatic Thoughts (NATs) are
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Common examples of unhelpful thoughts and positive alternatives
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Visual layout showing how thoughts, feelings and behaviours are all connected
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Space for young people to identify their own negative thoughts and replace them with healthier ones
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Positive affirmations such as “I can do this”, “I am good enough”, and “This is just a NAT and it will pass”
Best suited for use in:
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School counselling, mentoring, and emotional wellbeing programmes
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Mental health support work (CAMHS, early help, youth services)
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One-to-one or group sessions with young people experiencing anxiety or low self-esteem
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Foster care, therapeutic support or family intervention sessions
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Self-help for teens who want tools to manage their thoughts and feelings
This worksheet is a simple but powerful tool for helping young people build emotional resilience, self-awareness and healthier thinking habits. It makes core CBT strategies easy to understand and apply to real-life challenges.
