CBT Story: Connecting Thoughts and Feelings

A simple CBT printable will help students understand the difference and connection between thoughts and feelings.

When using cognitive behavioral therapy with elementary school-aged children, it is important to make sure they understand the difference between thoughts and feelings. This can be tricky, but there are some established and effective ways to do this—no need to reinvent the wheel.

One of the easiest ways is to use a simple story of two children. Even better, create your own story that is more personal to the student you have for counseling. 

You tell the story of two students in the same, familiar situation. While telling this story, you have students identify that the characters feel and think differently about the situation. This simple story lets you focus on how thoughts or feelings are separate and can be changed. 

A story about the first day of school and student response slips that you can cut out are included.

Main Objectives

• Identify how two people feel different in the same situation.
• Recognize how two people have different thoughts in the same situation. 
• Recognize that thoughts influence feelings.