A story from Distortion Detective

Nolan: believing the homework will never get done

bedroom-study scene

It's Sunday night. Nolan opens his planner and sees four things waiting: a math worksheet due tomorrow, a history reading with questions, a science quiz on Tuesday, and a book report due Friday. He stares at the list, and his chest gets tight.

“I will never get all of this work done. There's too much, and I'm already behind before I've even started.”

nolan character

In the game

Which thinking trap caught Nolan? Name the trap, then check whether the thought holds up.

Spotting thinking traps (cognitive distortions)SchoolAges 10–16Solo or with a Guide

Free. Kids never need an account. Therapists and parents can guide from their own screen.

🖨️ Print the take-home sheet · the story, three questions to talk over, free

About Distortion Detective

Noticing a thought like "Nobody likes me" or "I always mess up." Naming the trap behind it, then checking whether the thought holds up.

Helpful for: negative self-talk, assuming the worst, black-and-white thinking, jumping to conclusions. More in the glossary