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Worksheet C: Detective Work on Anxious Thoughts

Practice identifying and questioning cognitive distortions.

Week 3
Appendix C

Identifying Cognitive Distortions

Statement: 'I stumbled on my words during the presentation. I'm a complete failure.'
Statement: 'They haven't texted back. They must be angry with me.'
Statement: 'If I get on this plane, it’s going to crash.'

Crafting Socratic Questions

Anxious Thought: 'I can't apply for that job. I'm not qualified and they'll just laugh at my resume.'
On a scale of 0-10, how confident do you feel in your ability to ask these questions without offering reassurance?

Compassionate Inquiry: The Compassionate Pause Log

What triggered the reaction?
What I felt (name it):
Where I felt it in my body:
Was this about right now, or was it old? What story was underneath?
What I chose to do instead of reacting:
© 2026 Linda Curran, BCPC, LPC, CAADC, CCDPD | The Supporter's Guide to Anxiety Coaching