Book: Don't Believe Everything You Think (Managing Emotions + Cognitive Distortions)

"Everything is terrible!"
"I just failed that math test. I'm no good at school!"
"She's late. She probably got in a car accident!"
"No one likes me and I have no friends."

Adults and kids alike can easily get lost in the twisted, tangled world of our own thoughts. Our emotional experiences *feel* totally true, but reality is a lot more nuanced than our often negative thoughts might have us believe.

Explaining cognitive distortions (otherwise known as thought holes or thinking errors) to kids can be a tall order, because the concept that our thoughts aren't 100% factual can be confusing.

Teaching how twisted thoughts happen (and what to do about it!) takes the the confusion out of big feelings and out-of-control thoughts, which makes it easier for kids to feel a sense of power over their emotional experiences.

This is important book is the third in Mighty + Bright's highly anticipated "Emotions" series, introducing the concept of cognitive distortions and building on the coping skills introduced in the first two books. It is featured in Month 6 of the "Kids Mental Health Skills at Home" program.

This book covers:

• our emotions can create thoughts and our thoughts can create emotions;
• our thoughts are powerful and can get out of control;
• when our emotions are out of control, we can't hear or understand anything around us;
• different types of "twisted thoughts" that can send our emotions out of control;
• how to choose a new plan when we're upset;
• why there's no shame in losing control;
• what to do when we lose control.