Unhelpful Thinking Patterns – CBT-Informed Tutor Time Resource

A ready-to-use Tutor Time resource designed to help students recognise and manage unhelpful thinking patterns using a simple, age-appropriate Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)-informed approach.

The session introduces students to the idea that negative, repetitive or unhelpful thoughts can influence how we feel and behave. Students are then introduced to the practical strategy “Catch It, Check It, Change It”, which encourages them to identify unhelpful thoughts, question whether they are accurate or balanced, and consider a more helpful alternative.

What’s Included?
An introduction to unhelpful thinking patterns and their impact on emotions and behaviour.
A video explaining the “Catch It, Check It, Change It” strategy.
Practical reflection activities to help students recognise their own thinking patterns.
Prompts encouraging students to challenge negative assumptions and consider alternative perspectives.
Strategies for developing more balanced and helpful ways of thinking.
Who Is It For?

The resource can be particularly useful for students who experience overthinking, anxiety, self-doubt or low confidence, while providing strategies that can benefit the wider tutor group.

Delivery Guidance

Please ensure you allow sufficient time for the accompanying video clip, which has a running time of over 8 minutes. The session works best when students have time to reflect and discuss the strategy before or after watching the clip.

Suitable For

KS3 / KS4 | Tutor Time | PSHE | Pastoral | Wellbeing | Personal Development

Key Themes

CBT • Unhelpful thinking • Overthinking • Anxiety • Confidence • Emotional wellbeing • Self-awareness • Resilience • Positive thinking • Personal development