CBT Thought Reframing

Thought reframing is a simple cognitive-behavioral skill that helps young people pause when they notice an unhelpful thought and consider whether there may be another way to look at the situation. The goal isn't to force a positive thought or pretend that a difficult situation isn't difficult. Instead, it encourages curiosity and more balanced thinking.

Try This

When a stressful thought comes up, pause and ask: "What am I telling myself right now?" Then ask, "What evidence supports this thought, and is there another possible way to view the situation?" Finally, try creating a more balanced statement — for example, changing "I always mess everything up" to "I made a mistake, but I can figure out what to do next."

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