CBT self-monitoring is sometimes called diary work. Which term describes this practice?

• A. Psychoeducation
• B. Case formulation
• C. Diary work
• D. Behavioral activation

Answer: (C)

In CBT, self-monitoring involves clients systematically recording their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as they occur. This ongoing logging is why the practice is described as diary work—the client keeps a diary or log of daily experiences, noting triggers, intensity, and responses so patterns emerge over time and can be explored in sessions.

This term fits best because it directly captures the act of recording experiences in a diary-like format to gather data, monitor change, and test how thoughts relate to emotions and actions. Psychoeducation, by contrast, refers to teaching about mental health concepts and skills. Case formulation is the synthesized understanding of factors contributing to a problem, often using data like diary entries but not the diary-keeping itself as the primary technique. Behavioral activation focuses on increasing engagement in rewarding activities to improve mood, rather than the reflective, record-keeping process.