Game
A short game from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) where you spot the “thinking trap” in everyday thoughts and practice a kinder, more balanced take.
Read each thought, then pick the thinking trap you think it is. You will see why, plus a more balanced way to look at it.
You will see 10 short thoughts. For each, choose the thinking trap you think is behind it. Many thoughts fit more than one trap, so use your best guess. You are learning to notice, not being tested.
Which thinking trap is this?
A more balanced thought:
That is not a grade. Noticing thinking traps takes practice, and the same thought can fit more than one. The skill is catching the pattern and asking: “What is the evidence for and against this thought? What would I say to a friend?”
If unhelpful thoughts are weighing on you, a therapist trained in CBT can help. Here is how to find one.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is built on the idea that how we interpret events shapes how we feel. Certain automatic thought patterns, called cognitive distortions or “thinking traps,” make situations seem worse than they are. Spotting a trap is the first step to loosening its grip.
In this game you will meet ten common traps. There are no wrong answers that cost you anything: many thoughts fit more than one trap, and the aim is to practice noticing. You can replay as often as you like.
Once you can name a trap, try asking: “What is the evidence for and against this thought?” and “What would I say to a friend who thought this?” These are two core CBT questions.
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