CBT Cost-Benefit Analysis Worksheet: A Brief Introduction
A Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapeutic technique used to help individuals evaluate the pros and cons of behavioral change. To put it in simple terms, it measures the costs or disadvantages of a behavior against its benefits or advantages. The aim is to facilitate decision-making and encourage healthier behaviors by highlighting the negative aspects that outweigh the positive ones.
If you want to skip all the fluff and jump right into our unique and utterly nontraditional CBA worksheet click the PDF link below.
This exercise is usually done using a table or worksheet split into four quadrants or sections. Typically, these sections are:
- Benefits of changing the behavior.
- Costs or disadvantages of changing the behavior.
- Benefits of maintaining the present behavior or not changing.
- Costs or disadvantages of maintaining the present behavior or not changing.
It is an effective tool used in CBT to stimulate the change process by making clear the costs and benefits associated with a potential behavior change, thus aiding in decision-making. It can be used to address various issues, such as addiction, procrastination, phobias, and anxiety, among others.

CBA Worksheet – A Look From Another Angle
It’s like creating a mental balance sheet that lets you understand the potential costs and benefits of sticking to that old behavior or embracing a new and improved one.
Picture this: you grab a pen and some paper, preferably psychedelic colors, and divide it into four sections. On one side, you list the perks of changing your ways, like finding peace, happiness, and personal growth. On the other side, you jot down the downsides of sticking to your current behavior, like stress, sadness, or other gnarly vibes.
Now, on the flip side, you list the advantages of keeping things the same, like convenience or familiarity. And in the final section, you scribble down the costs of maintaining your current behavior, like missed opportunities or negative impacts on your well-being.
By doing this analysis, you’ll get a clearer understanding of what’s really up.. It helps you make informed choices, step back from auto-pilot mode, and steer your mind towards positive change. It’s a tool that lets you channel your inner Zen master and bust out some wicked decision-making skills.