Catch, Check, Challenge, and Change Negative Thinking | CBT Mental Health Worksheets + Cognitive Distortion Visuals

• Build evaluation skills before expecting students to change their thoughts.
• Include supplemental tools for 15 cognitive distortions, each with practical strategies to address it.
• Provide repeated practice with each cognitive strategy (2 worksheets per challenging strategy).
• Move students from simple checking to complex, integrated cognitive restructuring.
• Teach students multiple approaches so they can find what works for them.
• Use realistic scenarios that resonate with the experiences of upper elementary and middle school students.
• Support implementation with answer keys and teaching notes for every worksheet.

• Practice evaluating negative thoughts for accuracy using 3 different strategies per worksheet
• Covers 8 key checking strategies with repeated practice opportunities

• Practice actively disputing negative thoughts using specific challenging strategies
• 9 different strategies with 2 worksheets per strategy for reinforcement

• Complete Catch-Check-Challenge-Change process practice
• Integrates all steps from recognizing to replacing negative thoughts

• Thought Feeling Action Posters
• Thought Trap Cycle Poster
• Catch-Check-Challenge-Change Poster
• Thought Traps Guide - Comprehensive facilitator resource covering which distortions to teach first, which concepts go together, and detailed information for each of the 15 cognitive distortions
• Thought Traps Poster - Displays 15 cognitive distortions with illustrated characters
• Thought Trap Cards - Individual cards featuring student-friendly definitions, relatable examples, and illustrated characters for each thought trap
• 27 Strategy Cards - Practical techniques students can use for checking, challenging, and changing negative thinking patterns

1. Start with Set 1 - Build foundational evaluation skills by practicing how to check thoughts for accuracy
2. Move to Set 2 - Add active disputation practice, working through different challenging strategies
3. Progress to Set 3 - Integrate all steps with complete Catch-Check-Challenge-Change practice
4. Use supplemental tools - Reference posters, thought trap cards, and strategy cards support students as they work
5. Guide with confidence - Answer keys and teaching notes help you facilitate meaningful discussions

• Three sets of worksheets that build on each other—start with checking, add challenging, finish with the full cycle
• 27 different cognitive strategies with clear explanations and examples
• Answer keys and teaching notes for every single worksheet
• Complete supplemental toolkit included (posters, thought trap cards, strategy cards, facilitator guide)
• Realistic scenarios covering academic, social, family, and personal situations
• Both color and black & white versions of supplemental tools
• Everything students need to complete the worksheets is included—no hunting for additional materials

• Individual counseling sessions focused on cognitive restructuring skills
• Small group work teaching students to evaluate and challenge automatic thoughts
• Private practice therapy with elementary and middle school clients
• Practice activities for students who've learned the Catch-Check-Challenge-Change framework

• You're working with students in grades 4-6 who need practice with cognitive restructuring
• You want scaffolded worksheets that build skills progressively rather than expecting mastery right away
• You need comprehensive supplemental tools (thought traps, strategies, posters) all in one place
• You appreciate answer keys and teaching notes that help you guide sessions effectively

Details

• Grade Levels: 3-7
• Ideal For: Individual counseling or small groups
• Materials Needed: None beyond printing (pens/pencils)
• Format: PDF
• Printing: Worksheets primarily B&W; supplemental tools available in color and B&W