Therapy Resource

Mapping the Cognitive Triangle

Tracking the Connection Between Thoughts, Emotions, and Behaviors

CBTWorksheetFree Resource

The cognitive triangle illustrates how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors continuously influence one another. A situation triggers a thought, which produces an emotion, which drives a behavior -- and that behavior can in turn create new situations and new thoughts. By mapping this cycle, you can identify which part of the triangle is most accessible for change and begin to interrupt unhelpful patterns.

For each situation you encounter, fill in one row. Start with the situation, then record your automatic thought, the emotion it produced, and the behavior that followed. Use this log to identify recurring patterns across different situations.

SituationAutomatic ThoughtEmotion (0-10)Behavior / Response

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