Thought Detective Counseling Game

Help students challenge automatic negative thoughts and reframe cognitive distortions through an engaging CBT counseling game that provides the repeated practice needed to build positive self-talk.

Thought Detective Agency helps you build lasting positive thinking skills through an interactive game that students actually want to play again and again.

With this resource, you'll be able to:

• Address multiple cognitive distortions in one resource - Cover common thinking traps that elementary students actually experience, all in one game.
• Facilitate meaningful discussions easily - Guiding questions on cards keep conversations flowing without you having to come up with prompts on the spot.
• Practice CBT skills without worksheet fatigue - Students engage willingly because it's a game, not another paper and pencil.

What's Included

• 72 Detective Cards - 9 cards for each of 8 card types, covering different thinking patterns and strategies with realistic scenarios that upper elementary students face.
• Printable Game Board - Spans two 8.5x11 pages and tapes together, or fits into a file folder for easy storage.
• Facilitator Guide - Simple directions for setup and gameplay, plus an introductory script to explain the game to students.
• Answer Key - Sample responses for each card to guide your facilitation.
• Game Pieces - Printable player pieces that stand up with simple binder clips

Black & White Option - All components use shapes, so they work perfectly in B&W without affecting gameplay.

PDF format | Works in color or black & white

How It Works

1. Quick Setup - Print cards (aligned for fast cutting), tape the game board into a file folder, and add binder clips to player pieces. Ready to play in 15 minutes.
2. Introduce the Game - Use the facilitator guide's script to explain how students will be "thought detectives" examining thought traps.
3. Play & Discuss - Students move around the board, draw cards with realistic scenarios, and practice identifying thought traps using guiding questions.
4. Practice Repeatedly - 72 varied scenarios mean it stays fresh and engaging without repetition.
5. Adapt as Needed - Play the full board game (20-45 minutes) or pull out cards for a quick 15-minute discussion.

Details

• Grade Levels: 3-5
• Group Size: 2-6 players (works in small groups or individual counseling)
• Session Length: 20-45 minutes (depends on discussion depth, or use just cards for 15-minute sessions)
• Prep Time: Under 15 minutes (print, cut, assemble into file folder)
• Materials Needed: Cardstock (for durability), binder clips (for player pieces), file folder (for storage)
• Format: PDF (not editable)
• Printing: Works perfectly in color OR black & white. Shapes ensure functionality either way
• Skills Addressed: Distinguishing facts from opinions, looking for evidence, identifying thinking traps (mind reading, fortune telling, all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing, rigid "should" statements), applying detective questions to examine thoughts objectively
• Theoretical Foundation: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)