Overgeneralisation is the focus of this printable CBT handout, showing how words such as “always”, “never”, “everyone” and “every” can turn one difficult moment into a much wider, more discouraging belief.
This Overgeneralisation CBT worksheet PDF for adults is a printable handout designed to help people notice when one setback, disagreement or uncomfortable feeling is turned into a sweeping rule. It focuses on common overgeneralising language, such as “always”, “never”, “everyone” and “every”, and encourages a slower look at the evidence behind those thoughts.
The worksheet can be used by adults completing CBT exercises, practitioners introducing cognitive distortions, or anyone working on negative automatic thoughts as part of guided self-reflection. It is suitable for individual sessions, counselling homework, wellbeing check-ins, group discussion or home learning where a simple structure is needed. Because the table separates the event, thought and feeling, it gives a clear starting point for conversation without asking the user to share more detail than they are comfortable recording.
- Identify the situation that triggered the thought.
- Write down the overgeneralised statement in the person’s own words.
- Notice the feelings linked with the thought, such as irritation, sadness or hopelessness.
- Begin considering whether the conclusion is broader than the facts support.
Use this downloadable CBT resource as a practical worksheet, discussion prompt or printable guide when exploring thinking patterns in a calm and structured way. It can help make abstract ideas easier to record on paper, so the user can return to the example later and reflect on alternative, more balanced ways to describe the same experience.
