Blog Assignment

Sarah Saunders
COUN 72
Jason Carter
Sunday September 22, 2013

Theory
The theory that is used for this activity is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The
therapeutic approach being applied is referred to as Cognitive Therapy. Cognitive
Behavioural Therapy is a general classification of psychotherapy (NACBT, 2008).
CBT is a psychological treatment that addresses the interactions between how we think,
feel and behave (Simon Fraser University, 2007). CBT underlines different phases of
treatment such as cognitive, emotional or behavioural (Simon Fraser University, 2007)
CBT is a process of teaching, coaching, and reinforcing positive behaviours. CBT helps
people to identify cognitive patterns or thoughts and emotions that are linked with
behaviours (Simon Frasor University, 2007).
Purpose of Activity
The purpose of this activity is for clients to recognize their negative automatic
thoughts and to replace them with positive thoughts. It is a positive activity to help clients
think of the positive traits they have and to eliminate their negative thoughts overtime.
This activity is to demonstrate that positive thoughts can eventually be automatic and will
eliminate negative behaviours.
This activity is also to demonstrate to the CYW that transitioning automatic
negative thoughts into automatic positive thoughts will change a childs perspective on
themselves but also society and their environmental thought process.
Length of Activity
The length of the activity is about 30 minutes long. This will give enough time for
the group to complete the activity but will also have time for a discussion. This activity
should be done a few times over a few weeks time and then the group should be

completing the activity on their own time as homework and bringing it to the sessions to
have a short discussion.
Space needed for activity
For this activity, there is not much space needed. The clients need a place to write down
their thoughts such as at a table, or a couch.
Supplies

Activity sheet

Pen/pencil

Below is an example of the activity and a sample worksheet, which should be provided to
the client/group.
Negative Automatic Thoughts
Nobody likes me

Positive Thought Replacement

Thats not a true statement. My family like me, and I have my friend
from work and my friend from school. And I got on well
with many other people now that I think of it. Also, not
everybody will adore and admire me in this life. I accept that.
Its the same for everybody. Also, if somebody does think little
of you, you dont have to agree with it

Its going to be awful, Im going to

embarrass myself

Actually, thats fortune telling, I dont know whats going to happen,

I can do is my best, maybe Ill be a bit anxious, I
can cope with that if it happens, and it might not happen, I
was okay last week at that other

Negative Automatic Thoughts

Positive Thought Replacement

Negative Automatic Thoughts

Positive Thought Replacement

Therapeutic approach activity

On the activity sheet provided, the clients are to write an automatic negative thought that
they process on a regular basis. Then they will take a few minutes to write a positive
thought that they could replace with the written automatic negative thought. After the
group has replaced 2-3 automatic negative thoughts into positive thoughts, the counselor
will conduct a discussion.
What worked
The discussion was good and thorough. The group was able to express good positive
thoughts. They felt like the activity opened their perspective of themselves. This activity
got the clients to think outside the box. Thinking of automatic negative thoughts and
replacing them with positive thoughts in the hopes that it eventually becomes an
automatic response that they can do on their own. Once they develop automatic positive
thoughts about themselves, they can start thinking positively about their environment
around them. The clients recognized how effective this activity was on them and also
how it made them feel.
Changes for next time
Next time I would have done this activity individually with the client one on one. I think
they would have been more open and received more out of it. Also, I wished that I had
had a discussion with them first about negative automatic thoughts and how they feel
when they experience this.

References
CARMHA, Faculty of Health Sciences Simon Fraser University. Cognitive Behavioural
Therapy. Retrieved Sunday, September 22nd, 2013 from
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2007/MHA_CognitiveBehavioural
Therapy.pdf

NACBT. (2008). History of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Retrieved Sunday,

September 22nd, 2013 from http://nacbt.org/historyofcbt.htm.

Walsh, V. A Thought Replacement Exercise. Retrieved Sunday, September 22nd, 2013

from http://iveronicawalsh.wordpress.com/2012/03/11/a-thought-replacement-exercise-acbt-worksheethandout/