Depression worksheets
10 evidence-based resources for Depression. Preview any worksheet, then assign it to a client as an interactive digital worksheet.
Written by Tarun Vermani, Trainee Clinical Psychologist Last reviewed
CBT for depression rests on two complementary traditions, and this collection resources both. The cognitive strand is grounded in Beck's cognitive model (Beck et al., 1979), working from negative automatic thoughts down to the assumptions and core beliefs beneath them — start with the Depression Formulation (Beck) to map a client's presentation longitudinally, then take the cognitive work deeper with the downward arrow and core belief worksheets. The behavioural strand targets withdrawal and the loss of reinforcement that follows it: the Activity Monitoring Diary establishes a baseline before the Behavioural Activation Schedule plans mastery and pleasure back into the week.
Around these sit rumination work, behavioural experiments, a compassionate-mind letter for self-critical presentations, and psychoeducation you can hand straight to clients. Both models are also free to explore as interactive, referenced diagrams — Beck's cognitive model and the behavioural activation model — before you build one collaboratively with a client.
Interactive formulation
Interactive formulations for this presentation
Explore the published models as a referenced, interactive diagram — free, no sign-up needed.
Get the free depression bundle by email6 core worksheets as fillable PDFs, plus the interactive formulation. No account needed.
Choose your bundleAll Depression worksheets
Showing 10 of 10 resources
Depression
Depression Formulation (Beck)
A longitudinal CBT formulation based on Beck's cognitive model of depression — mapping early experiences through core beliefs to current maintenance cycles.
Depression
Activity Monitoring Diary
Track activities hour by hour alongside mood to identify patterns linking what you do to how you feel.
Depression
Behavioural Activation Schedule
Plan and rate activities with mastery and pleasure scores to gradually rebuild a rewarding routine.
Depression
Downward Arrow Worksheet
Trace a negative automatic thought down through underlying assumptions to the core belief using the "what would that mean?" technique.
Depression
Core Belief Worksheet
Identify a core belief, rate its conviction, gather evidence for and against, and develop a more balanced alternative.
Depression
Rumination Functional Analysis
Track rumination episodes and analyse their triggers, content, function, and consequences — to understand why you ruminate and what alternatives might work.
Depression
Pleasure Predicting Experiment
Test the depressive prediction that "nothing will be enjoyable" by predicting pleasure before activities and comparing with actual experience.
Depression
Compassionate Letter to Self
Write a letter to yourself from the perspective of a compassionate, wise observer — addressing your struggles with understanding rather than criticism.
Depression
Why Low Mood Keeps Going: The Depression Cycle
An explainer on how withdrawal, doing less and going over things in your mind keep low mood going, and why gently doing more helps you feel better.
Depression
Understanding Depression
A plain-language explainer on what depression is, why it happens, and how the cycle of withdrawal keeps it going, with a note on getting help and staying safe.
Can’t find the worksheet you need?
Tell us what’s missing — we review every request, and many become new tools in the library.
Request a worksheetFrequently asked questions
Which CBT model do these depression worksheets follow?
The formulation and cognitive worksheets are grounded in Beck's cognitive model of depression (Beck et al., 1979) — negative automatic thoughts, underlying assumptions, and core beliefs shaped by early experience. Alongside them sits a full behavioural activation strand — activity monitoring, activity scheduling, and pleasure-predicting experiments — reflecting the behavioural model of depression associated with Lewinsohn.
Should I start with behavioural activation or cognitive work?
That is a formulation decision, and the collection deliberately supports both routes. Many clinicians begin with activity monitoring and scheduling because they are concrete and ask less of verbal engagement when mood is low, then move to thought- and belief-level work; others interleave the two from the start. The worksheets sequence cleanly in either direction.
Can clients complete these depression worksheets online?
Yes. Every worksheet in this area can be assigned as an interactive digital worksheet — your client completes it on any device and you review their responses before the next session. Diaries and schedules support multiple entries across the week, and each worksheet also exports as a print-ready PDF.
Browse other areas
Explore CBT worksheets for other presenting problems.
Ready to assign these to your clients?
Create a free account and send any worksheet as a link. Your client completes it on any device — you review their responses before the next session.
No credit card required. 10 free worksheets every month.