Our minds generate thousands of thoughts each day, and we often accept them as facts without question. Socratic questioning is a structured cognitive restructuring technique drawn from CBT that helps you slow down, examine the evidence behind a thought, and arrive at a more balanced perspective (Beck, 2020). By routinely practicing this skill, you can weaken automatic negative thought patterns and build cognitive flexibility.

Identify a thought that is causing distress. Write it in the first column, then work through each question thoughtfully. Take your time and write in full sentences to get the most benefit.