Clients using CBT, counselling or guided self-help can use this printable thought diary to record situations, automatic thoughts, feelings, body sensations and unhelpful thinking styles in one simple table.
This thought diary form for CBT thought records gives clients a clear way to capture automatic thoughts as they happen, or soon afterwards. It includes space to add the date, describe the situation or event, note what was happening, where the person was and who they were with, then write down the thoughts that came up at the time.
The printable table also encourages users to rate how negative they felt on a 1 to 10 scale, notice emotions and body sensations, and identify any unhelpful thinking style that may have influenced their response. This can support a more structured conversation in CBT, counselling, wellbeing appointments or guided self-help, without needing a lengthy written exercise.
- Use it before or after therapy sessions to bring examples for discussion.
- Print copies for classroom wellbeing activities, home learning, revision of CBT skills or one-to-one support.
- Keep completed records together to spot patterns in thoughts, feelings and situations over time.
It is likely to be useful for adults or older teenagers who are learning to pause, reflect and name what they noticed in a difficult moment. Practitioners can use it as a downloadable worksheet for session work, between-session tasks, planning support materials or adding to a set of printable mental health resources. Download, print or share the form with clients as a simple prompt for noticing thinking patterns. This resource was created by MindWell Leeds.
