Cognitive
Cognitive techniques are used to change an event’s meaning through discussing the child’s thoughts on the events at hand. This is frequently done through the child keeping a “thought record.” These records are usually worksheets that outline predictions in a way to test them for accuracy. The goal of doing this technique is to positively influence the child’s thinking style so that they can better cope with stress.
“What should my therapist be doing?”
Helping your child challenge their unrealistic negative thoughts
Helping your child develop more realistic thoughts
“What should I be doing?”
Helping your child identify when they are having unrealistic negative thoughts
Helping your child come up with more realistic thoughts
Praising your child for using this new technique in day-to-day settings.
“How will I know if it is working?”
Your child’s thoughts are less negative and more realistic
There is an overall improvement in your child’s mood
Your child uses coping strategies on their own when they experience negative feelings
Try it Yourself: How-to Guides and Other Resources
Anxiety Resources
Healthy Thinking for Younger Children (Anxiety Canda): See handout for strategies to help younger children identify and change self-talk that leads to anxious thoughts/behaviors.
Realistic Thinking for Teens (Anxiety Canada): See handout for strategies to help older children or teens replace “anxious” thinking with realistic thinking.
Daily Thought Record Worksheet (Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan): See the worksheet to help your child track and evaluate their negative and anxious thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Examining Thoughts Worksheet (Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan): See the worksheet to help your child identify and challenge negative or unhelpful thoughts.
Challenging Anxious Thoughts (Therapist Aid): See the handout to help guide your child through the process of evaluating their anxious thoughts, questioning their validity, and replacing them with more realistic, balanced alternatives.
Challenging Negative Thoughts (Therapist Aid): See the handout to help older children and teens challenge and reframe irrational thoughts and negative thinking patterns.
Depression Resources
Guided Self-Management Tools for Depression (Boston Children’s Hospital): See pages 14-16 for an interactive handout that helps children ages 6 to 12 and their caregivers understand and manage depression through practical, self-paced activities.
Tools for Children: We all have thoughts that make us feel worried or upset from time to time. But sometimes these thoughts really get in our way and aren’t helpful. There are steps you can take to turn those upsetting thoughts around. One of the strategies is called Catch It, Check It, Change It. It’s a bit like being a detective investigating your own thinking. In this story, you’ll meet Ren who is learning to catch, check, and change their thoughts. Follow along so you can learn too!
Tools for Children: This is the story of Dana who is having some very upsetting thoughts. We all have upsetting thoughts from time to time. But sometimes those thoughts aren’t helpful and can make us feel even worse. Dana is learning a new technique to turn those upsetting thoughts around. It’s called Catch It, Check It, Change It. It’s a bit like being a detective investigating your own thinking. Follow along with Dana so you can learn too.
Tools for Children: All of us have thoughts from time to time that make us feel upset. In this story, you’ll meet Taylor. Taylor is learning Mindfulness 5-4-3-2-1. Mindfulness 5-4-3-2-1 teaches you to calm your mind and help you worry less. Follow along with Taylor so you too can learn how to practice mindfulness 5-4-3-2-1 when you need it.
Tools for Teens: We all have thoughts that make us feel upset from time to time. Sometimes these thoughts really get in our way and aren’t helpful. There are steps you can take to help turn those upsetting thoughts around. It’s called Catch It, Check It, Change It. In this story, you’ll meet Terry who is learning to catch, check, and change their thoughts. Follow along so you can learn too!
Tools for Teens: We all have thoughts that make us feel upset from time to time. But sometimes these thoughts aren’t helpful, and they can affect how we feel and respond to a situation. There are steps you can take to help turn those upsetting thoughts around. It’s called Catch It, Check It, Change It. In this story, you’ll meet Addison who is learning how to catch, check, and change their thoughts. Follow along so you can learn too!
