Challenging negative self-talk free worksheet
A key to improving self-esteem for your client is to challenge negative self-talk. Help them put a stop to negative thoughts with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques and our negative thought stopping worksheet.
The relationship between self-talk and self-esteem
The way clients talk to themselves can have a resounding impact on their self-esteem, overall mood and general well-being. Through identification of negative self-talk, a mind clouded with negativity can be trained to view life more objectively, and positively. Encourage your clients to challenge their negative thoughts with our CBT thought stopping worksheet. The worksheet is easy-to-understand and printable allowing clients to take control of their negative thinking.
Challenge negative self-talk with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques challenge clients to identify what they believe, and why they believe what they do. This principle is incredibly useful when identifying negative thoughts, and turning them into positive ones. In the table below, find examples of negative self-talk identification, explanation and thought reversal.
| Negative Thought | Associated Emotion When Saying Thought Aloud | Evidence That Does Not Support The Thought | Alternative Thought | Associated Emotion When Saying Thought Aloud |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I’ll never get a good job. | Sadness Hopelessness |
I have a college degree. I have a strong work ethic. I have a good sense of judgement. |
It may take time, but I will find a good job. | Hopefulness Empowered |
How can negative thought stoppage be measured?
Instruct clients to write down each negative thought they have about themselves for an entire day, along with the way the thought made them feel. Next, encourage clients to challenge each thought with factual evidence. Clients should imagine an alternative thought, say it aloud and record how it made them feel. Often times, clients struggle to get out of their own mind. If this is the case, encourage them to think about themselves from a friend or loved one’s perspective. Revisit the exercise as often as necessary.
How to use these worksheets in Ensora Mental Health?
Ensora Mental Health (formerly TheraNest) makes storing forms and worksheets easy. Scan and save the completed worksheet to your computer then upload the file to the Client’s documents in Ensora Mental Health for safe keeping. Your clients can also send their therapist completed forms as an attachment via secure messaging in the client portal. The therapist can then download the form and upload to the client’s file in Ensora Mental Health.
