Thought scaling- Devin Vicknair, Ph.D., LPC
Thoughts and emotions occur on a scale from extremely negative to extremely positive. For example, people who tend to be pessimistic
and catastrophic tend to produce negative thoughts/emotions; where as people who think hopeful and optimistic thoughts tend to
produce positive thoughts/emotions. Please use the scale below to provide examples of some thoughts/emotions that you have
experienced.
NEGATIVE
-3
-2
NEUTRAL
-1
0
POSITIVE
+1
+2
+3
Example of going to see the doctor:
“it will be awful, probably give me useless medicine”
“I was told to see the doctor, so I’m complying”
“This new doctor and medicine should really help”