Mapping the Cognitive Triangle
Tracking the Connection Between Thoughts, Emotions, and Behaviors
Mapping the Cognitive Triangle
Tracking the Connection Between Thoughts, Emotions, and Behaviors
Mapping the Cognitive Triangle
Tracking the Connection Between Thoughts, Emotions, and Behaviors
Picture a triangle with a thought, an emotion and a behavior at its three corners. Each corner pushes on the other two. A situation sets off a quick thought, the thought brings a feeling, and the feeling pulls you toward an action. That action can then set up the next situation and the next thought, and the loop goes around again.
Mapping a few real moments shows you how your own loops run, and which corner is easiest for you to change. For a fuller walk through the model, with examples, see The CBT Model.
- Fill in one row for each moment that stirred up a strong feeling this week. Start with the situation, described the way a camera would record it. Then write the thought that went through your mind, the emotion with its strength from 0 to 10, and what you did next.
- After three or four rows, read across them and answer the questions in the boxes below. To test a thought that keeps coming back, take it to a CBT Thought Record.
| Situation | Automatic Thought | Emotion (0 to 10) | Behavior / Response |
|---|---|---|---|
A pattern I notice across these rows
The corner I'll try changing first (thought, emotion or behavior), and what I'll do differently
Related CBT Worksheets
View all CBT →Testing Core Beliefs Against the Evidence
How confirmation bias maintains negative core beliefs and how to counteract it
CBTThe CBT Cognitive Model: Thought-Feeling-Behavior Log
Mapping the connection between situations, thoughts, emotions, and actions
CBTThe CBT Model: How Thoughts Shape Emotions and Behavior
The five parts of a reaction, how they feed each other, and where you can step in
See also
Clinical guides that use this worksheet
Common Questions
What is the Mapping the Cognitive Triangle worksheet?
Picture a triangle with a thought, an emotion and a behavior at its three corners. Each corner pushes on the other two. A situation sets off a quick thought, the thought brings a feeling, and the feeling pulls you toward an action.
How do I use the Mapping the Cognitive Triangle worksheet?
Fill out this worksheet digitally or print it for use in session. You can save your progress with a Pro account. Take your time with each column — there are no right or wrong answers.
Is the Mapping the Cognitive Triangle worksheet free?
Yes. Like every worksheet on Therapy Resource, it is free to read, print, and download as a PDF, no account required. A Pro subscription adds online filling with saved progress, practice-branded PDF exports, and secure client sharing.
Can I fill out the Mapping the Cognitive Triangle worksheet online?
Yes. Switch the worksheet to "Type on Screen" mode to fill in the fields directly in your browser before printing. Pro members can also save their entries across sessions and export the completed worksheet as a branded PDF.
Use this worksheet professionally
Pro members can fill worksheets online, save progress, customize content, share with clients, and export branded PDFs.
Try Pro free for 7 days →