# Thought Diary

> Cognitive Behavioral Therapy thought diary for identifying and changing negative thinking patterns. (iPhone/iPad app by happtic Pty. Ltd..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thought-diary/id385433207 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [happtic Pty. Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/385076451)
- Category: Medical, Health & Fitness
- Price: $2.99
- Rating: 2.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 4 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 3 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-08-09
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thought-diary/id385433207/reviews.md

## What is Thought Diary?

The way we think determines both how we feel and how we behave. The way we think about ourselves, other people and our place in the world has a direct influence on our emotional state and our behaviour. Consequently by changing the way we think we can positively influence our mood and how we respond to situations.  This is the premise behind Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) which has become the most effective psychological treatment available for a range of emotional and behavioural problems including depression and anxiety. 

A thought diary is designed to help people record the thoughts that cause emotional and psychological distress. By recording our unhelpful thoughts, we can learn to identify thinking errors (also known as ‘negative’, ‘automatic’ or ‘dysfunctional’ thoughts). It is a common tool used in CBT to assist individuals in identifying unhelpful thinking patterns, which will then provide the opportunity to challenge and change these thoughts and thereby reducing psychological distress.  

This Thought Diary is designed to be the first step in changing our thoughts by helping individuals identify the trigger situations for their negative thoughts and the emotional and behavioural consequences of experiencing these negative thoughts. It was designed by an experienced clinical psychologist and CBT therapist who believed that these tools should be available in the most accessible form for individuals to use in today’s fast technological world. It can be used by people either in therapy as a useful adjunct to the treatment, and there is a feature that allows the Thought Diary to be emailed straight to their therapist. However, it can also be used by those individuals who are embarking on a self-guided course of CBT.

When the Thought Diary is emailed it takes the traditional format of a CBT thought record.

How to Use:
The Thought Diary should be used when you experience a negative emotional state or engage in unhelpful or self destructive behaviour (Consequences). 

Step one: record what you were doing and where you were at that time (date, time and situation). This can help identify whether there is a particular pattern present in the emotional distress or behaviour problem. 

Step two:  note down what you were thinking at the time (thought), and how much you believed this thought (belief rating). The belief rating is useful to determine the degree to which we believe the thoughts, and can indicate whether the conviction in these thoughts changes when we challenge these thoughts in the next step of CBT. 

Step three: record how you felt and what you did in response (consequences). It can sometimes be easier to write down the consequences as the first step as they are primary indicators of distress, and then work through the other categories. There are usually both emotional and behavioural consequences, and sometime another thinking pattern is activated which is why we have provided a category for ‘thoughts’. 

However, it may not be necessary to complete all these categories in the consequences step if only emotional and/or behavioural disturbance is obvious.

## Key features

- Identify negative thought patterns
- Record triggers and consequences
- Challenge unhelpful thoughts
- Email thought records to therapist
- Self-guided CBT tool
- Track emotional and behavioral responses

## Recent user reviews (4 of 4)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thought-diary/id385433207/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Only unhelpful thoughts

*2016-04-11, version 1.0.3*

I really didn't like how I could only write unhelpful thoughts. I do have positive thoughts too. I want to write those down.

### 1/5 — DO NOT BUY

*2013-06-26, version 1.0.2*

The thought records are totally incomplete! They do not have a spot for evidence for and against or even a spot for a balanced thought. It's a waste of money! I really regret downloading it!!

### 4/5 — Great first step in CBT

*2012-04-24*

I used this with my therapist as a first step in thought recording before upgrading up thought diary pro. The other reviewer might not have read the instructions properly as it is the first step  in CBT. Great work happtic! Easy to use.   Looking forward to using the thought diary pro.

### 1/5 — Awful!

*2011-12-11*

It doesn't give you the option within the app to challenge the negative thought so effectively a waste of time (and money)

## Frequently asked questions about Thought Diary

### What is Thought Diary used for?

Thought Diary is designed to help users identify and challenge negative thinking patterns, which is a key technique in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). It assists in managing emotional and behavioral problems like anxiety and depression.

### How does Thought Diary help with CBT?

It functions as a thought diary, guiding users to record triggers, negative thoughts, and their emotional/behavioral consequences. This process helps in identifying thinking errors and provides a basis for challenging and changing these thoughts.

### Can Thought Diary be used with a therapist?

Yes, it can be used as an adjunct to therapy. A feature allows users to email their thought records directly to their therapist, maintaining the traditional format of a CBT thought record.

### What is the price of Thought Diary?

Thought Diary is a paid application, priced at $2.99. This one-time purchase grants access to its features for managing thoughts and emotions.

### What devices is Thought Diary available on?

Thought Diary is supported on iPhone and iPod devices. It is designed for Apple's mobile operating systems.

### How often is Thought Diary updated?

The latest version of Thought Diary is 1.0.3, which was last updated on November 1, 2014. Users should note that updates have not been frequent in recent years.

### What is the age rating for Thought Diary?

Thought Diary has an age rating of 12+. This indicates that the content is considered appropriate for users aged 12 and older.

### Does Thought Diary have ads?

No, Thought Diary does not contain advertisements. As a paid application, it provides an ad-free experience for users focused on their mental well-being.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.0.3 — 2014-11-01

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

- Fix issue with PIN screen not accepting PINs
- Update for iPhone 6 screen sizes.

### 1.0.2 — 2010-12-19

Usability Enhancements
New Graphics

### 1.0.1 — 2010-11-12

Bugfixes for iOS 3.1.3

### 1.0 — 2010-08-07

No release notes.

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## More apps by happtic Pty. Ltd.

- [Moving Van](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/moving-van/id357418069)
- [Thought Diary Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thought-diary-pro/id387173290)

All apps by happtic Pty. Ltd.: https://appshunter.io/developer/385076451

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*
