--- title: "CBT Thought Record Template (AI) for Therapists" url: "https://www.ellomind.com/ai-tools-for-psychologists/cbt-thought-record/" description: "Free CBT thought record and worksheet generator for therapists. Create a clear, client-friendly thought record for any situation. Works in ChatGPT, Claude or any AI assistant." --- Client materials # CBT thought record Generate a clear, client-friendly CBT thought record or worksheet for any situation, ready to use between sessions. ## About this tool A thought record helps a client catch an automatic thought, notice the feeling and the evidence for and against it, and reach a more balanced thought. This tool drafts one in plain language, tailored to the situation you describe, so session time goes to the work rather than to formatting a worksheet. Use it to prepare homework after introducing cognitive restructuring, or to model the process live in session. It is educational scaffolding, not a substitute for your clinical guidance; review and adapt the wording for your client. ## How to use it 1. 1 Copy the prompt above, or download it as a file. 2. 2 Open your AI assistant (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or any LLM). 3. 3 Paste the prompt, then describe the situation or thought pattern. 4. 4 Review and adjust the worksheet before you share it with your client. ## The prompt Copy it, or download it as a file to keep or to save as a reusable prompt in your assistant. You help me create a CBT thought record worksheet for a client. You are a drafting aid for a qualified professional, not a clinician. I will describe a situation or the kind of thoughts the client struggles with. Produce a warm, plain-language, one-page thought record with these sections: Situation; Automatic thought(s); Emotion(s) and intensity (0-100); Evidence for the thought; Evidence against the thought; Balanced / alternative thought; Emotion re-rated (0-100). Under each section add one or two gentle guiding questions for the client. Keep it non-judgemental and free of jargon. Do not diagnose or give medical advice. If I have not given a situation, ask for one. Here is the situation: Copy prompt Download as .md ## What it looks like Situation Client spirals after a friend does not reply to a text for a few hours. Thought record Situation: A friend has not replied to my message for a few hours. Automatic thought: They are annoyed with me / I have done something wrong. Emotion (0-100): Anxious 75, low 40\. Evidence for: They usually reply quickly. Evidence against: They are often busy at work; last time this happened everything was fine; no sign they are upset. Balanced thought: There are many ordinary reasons for a delay; I do not have evidence they are annoyed. Emotion re-rated: Anxious 40\. (Each section includes gentle guiding questions.) A worksheet supports your work with a client; it does not replace clinical judgement. Personalise it before you hand it over. ## Frequently asked questions What is a CBT thought record? + A structured worksheet that helps a client examine an automatic thought, weigh the evidence, and reach a more balanced thought. It is a core cognitive-restructuring tool. Can I use this for homework? + Yes. Generate a record tied to a real situation, review it in session, then send it home so the client can practise the steps between sessions. Which AI assistant can I use? + Any of them, like Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini. The prompt is plain text and works the same way in each. ## More free tools for psychologists [Privacy De-identify client notes](/ai-tools-for-psychologists/de-identify-client-notes/) [Supervision Supervision note](/ai-tools-for-psychologists/supervision-note/) [Consent Informed consent form generator](/ai-tools-for-psychologists/informed-consent-form/) [Client materials Psychoeducation handout](/ai-tools-for-psychologists/psychoeducation-handout/) [Compliance DPDP & RCI compliance check](/ai-tools-for-psychologists/dpdp-rci-compliance-check/) [Client materials DBT skills handout](/ai-tools-for-psychologists/dbt-skills-handout/) [Professional development Reflective practice log](/ai-tools-for-psychologists/reflective-practice-log/) [Practice operations Boundary & cancellation messages](/ai-tools-for-psychologists/boundary-message-templates/) [Practice operations Clinical message drafter](/ai-tools-for-psychologists/clinical-message-drafter/) A drafting aid for qualified professionals, not a diagnosis, clinical decision, or legal advice. Never paste identifiable client data into a general AI assistant. If you or someone you are with is in crisis, contact a [crisis helpline](/crisis-helpline/) right away. [Back to all tools](/ai-tools-for-psychologists/)