Thought-Action Fusion Experiment
Test the belief that thinking something makes it more likely to happen (likelihood TAF) or that thinking something is morally equivalent to doing it (moral TAF).
Written by Tarun Vermani, Trainee Clinical Psychologist Last reviewed
Assign and Download open signup, then return you to this worksheet. No card required. Resource access depends on your plan or trial. Already have an account? Sign in
Worksheet preview
Thought-Action Fusion Experiment
PreviewLive preview — type in any field to try it. Nothing is saved here.
The TAF Belief
Testing the Belief
Reflection
Try it here — nothing you type is saved. Sign up to assign it and let clients complete it on any device.
When to use the Thought-Action Fusion Experiment
The Thought-Action Fusion Experiment is an interactive cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) worksheet, most often used in CBT for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
It is designed to be used within therapy rather than as a standalone self-help tool: a therapist introduces it, works through it collaboratively, and helps make sense of what it surfaces. You can preview the full worksheet above, then assign it digitally for clients to complete between sessions on any device — or download it as a print-ready PDF.
How it works
Most people work through it in around 15 minutes. It moves through three short steps:
- The TAF Belief
- Testing the Belief
- Reflection
Completed on the Formulate platform, your client's answers are saved automatically and shared straight back to you, so you can review them before the next session rather than waiting for a paper copy to come back.
The CBT approach behind it
In common with other CBT methods, the Thought-Action Fusion Experiment works by testing fearful predictions through real-world behavioural experiments. The aim is not positive thinking but a clearer, shared understanding of what keeps a difficulty going — and practical, testable ways to change it.
Because it is a CBT tool it stays focused on the here-and-now links between thoughts, feelings, the body and behaviour, and it works best as one part of a wider course of therapy rather than as advice or a diagnosis.
Evidence & sources
This worksheet is grounded in established cognitive behavioural therapy theory and practice. Key sources include:
- Salkovskis, P.M. (1985). Obsessional-compulsive problems: A cognitive-behavioural analysis. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 23(5), 571-583. doi:10.1016/0005-7967(85)90105-6
- Wells, A. (2009). Metacognitive Therapy for Anxiety and Depression. New York: Guilford Press.
For use alongside professional support
Formulate provides educational CBT resources for use with a qualified therapist. They are not a substitute for professional assessment, diagnosis, or crisis care.
If you need urgent help now:
- Emergency services: 999 — if you or someone else is in immediate danger
- Samaritans: 116 123 — free, day or night, 365 days a year
- SANEline: 0800 689 5555 — 4:30pm–10:30pm, every day
More Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) worksheets
View all Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) worksheets →Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
ERP Hierarchy Builder
Build a graded exposure hierarchy for Exposure and Response Prevention therapy. List anxiety-provoking situations, rate them, and plan structured exposures.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD Formulation (Salkovskis)
A formulation based on Salkovskis' cognitive model of OCD — mapping intrusions, responsibility appraisals, distress, and neutralising behaviours.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD Monitoring Diary
Track OCD episodes — intrusions, appraisals, rituals, distress, and duration — to identify patterns and measure progress.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
ERP Practice Record
Log exposure and response prevention practice sessions with SUDS ratings, urge strength, and whether you resisted the compulsion.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Responsibility Appraisal Worksheet
Challenge inflated responsibility beliefs that drive OCD by examining the appraisal and generating realistic alternatives.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Contamination Reappraisal Worksheet
Challenge contamination-specific appraisals by examining the realistic probability of harm, the role of disgust vs danger, and what "clean enough" means.
Want to assign this to a client?
Create a free therapist account to use the assignment and library download tools. Clients can complete assigned homework online or use a blank PDF. See how the homework workflow works.
No card required. The Free plan includes 10 worksheet uses a month. Check plan access and limits.