Kids learn how
they think affects
how they feel
and behave
they think affects
how they feel
and behave
On Second Thought:
We created this program as a guide for elementary school psychologists, guidance counselors and social workers as well as parents and caregivers.
On Second Thought is a CBT-based program designed to help children learn thought awareness, understand the relationship among thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and practice more helpful ways of thinking.
On Second Thought is an educational CBT skills program. It is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, professional mental health care, or individualized treatment.
A quote from Dr. Charles King:
“One of the most novel programs I have seen in my 40 years of professional practice.”
-Charles H. King, Ph.D., ABPP
Designed & Customized for Key Target Audiences
On Second Thought (OST): is a computerized cognitive behavioral program intended to teach the core principles of CBT to upper elementary school children. OST was originally developed to be delivered on a universal level with prevention aims such as to:
- Raise thought awareness
- Develop a better understanding of the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviors
- Understanding and naming emotions
- Changing unwanted emotions
- Reducing vulnerability of the unwanted emotions
- Reducing vulnerability of the mind
- Managing extreme emotions
Research applying the OST program to targeted areas of concern (ie. anxiety and anger), have recently been conducted, lending itself to additional aims in the area of treatment:
- A reduction in anxiety
- A reduction in anger
- To decrease maladaptive behaviors while increasing healthy ways of self-regulation
- A reduction in automatic negative thoughts
- An improvement in adaptive skills
- An improvement in interpersonal relationships
- An improvement in problem solving
- An improvement in academic achievement
CBT Principles Explained
Building Awareness and Positive Thinking Habits
- Cognitive behavioral principles presented in a way that children can understand
- Uses idioms to recognize cognitive distortions as well as alternative thoughts and how they make us feel to uses idioms to recognize unhelpful thoughts (iffy) and how to replace them with more helpful ones (witty)
- Explains how our thoughts influence our feelings and behaviors
- Challenging and engaging activities in each lesson
- Real life situations are explored
- Colorful and whimsical illustrations
- Fun, creative and interactive
- Suitable for individuals, groups, families, classrooms, clinics
- A powerful and flexible program facilitators can adapt to a variety of audiences
Program Benefits
Interactive activities help children become aware that their first thought may not be the best choice
You have about thousands of negative thoughts a day and your child does too! Our interactive activities help children become aware that their first thought may not be the best choice. We use colorful and comically illustrated idioms to reflect real life situations and stories and the thoughts and feeling that arise from them.
We teach children basic principles of thought and how they think affects how they feel, how they act — and what happens as the end result.
This program further highlights unhelpful and helpful thoughts and offers children the opportunity to recognize the value of replacing an “iffy” thought with a “witty” one!
Designed for Flexible Use Across Settings
On Second Thought is a CBT-based program designed to help children learn thought awareness, understand the relationship among thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and practice more helpful ways of thinking.
On Second Thought is an educational CBT skills program. It is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, professional mental health care, or individualized treatment.
CBT principles explained in a child-friendly way
OST uses colorful illustrations, idioms, relatable situations, and interactive activities to help children recognize unhelpful “iffy thoughts” and practice replacing them with more helpful “witty thoughts.” Children learn that thoughts can influence feelings, behavior, and consequences — ultimately so they can pause, reflect, and try a different way of thinking when more beneficial.
Building awareness and flexible thinking
OST helps children recognize that a first thought is not always the most helpful thought. Through guided practice, children learn to notice “iffy thoughts,” explore how those thoughts affect feelings and behavior, and practice “witty thoughts” that support healthier choices.
OST is designed to support skills associated with:
- Thought awareness
- Emotion identification
- Flexible thinking
- Self-regulation
- Problem solving
- Healthier responses to frustration, anxiety, and anger
- Real-life situations
- Colorful and whimsical illustrations
- Interactive activities
- Flexible use for individuals, groups, classrooms, clinics, and families
OST is an educational CBT-skills program. It is not a substitute for therapy, diagnosis, or individualized mental health treatment.
How On Second Thought Works:
- Presents cognitive behavioral principles in language children can understand
- Helps children recognize unhelpful “iffy thoughts” and replace them with more helpful “witty thoughts”
- Explains how thoughts influence feelings and behaviors
- Uses relatable, real-life situations to help children apply what they learn
- Includes engaging, interactive activities throughout each lesson
- Uses colorful, whimsical illustrations to support understanding and memory
- Can be used with individuals, groups, families, classrooms, schools, and clinical settings
- Gives facilitators flexibility to adapt the program to different children and learning needs
Why thought awareness matters
Children can get stuck in automatic thoughts that make big feelings feel even bigger. OST helps children slow down, notice their first thought, and consider whether a more helpful thought might lead to a better feeling, behavior, or outcome.
Program Components
Interactive Desktop/Laptop Program
A completed CBT-based interactive program designed to help children practice recognizing “iffy thoughts” and replacing them with more helpful “witty thoughts”.
Companion Workbook
A companion workbook designed to reinforce key concepts through guided activities, reflection, and real-life practice.