Thinking through Problems

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze information and to come to sound conclusions. Human brains are primed to develop this capacity in adolescence. Learning to separate fact from fiction is one of the primary developmental tasks of becoming an adult.

Thoughts Are Not Facts

Thoughts do not equal facts. Thoughts are sometimes facts, but often they are simply opinions. Confusing the two can lead to painful consequences – especially if we have come to believe negative opinions of ourselves are actually true. How do you know the difference?

  • Facts can be known — they can be checked and supported with evidence that people can agree on.
  • Opinions are based on a belief or viewpoint — they are not necessarily supported by evidence and not everyone agrees.

Fact or Opinion? This quiz tests your ability to distinguish between facts and opinions with regard to your self-perception. Ask your social worker, therapist or another trusted adult to help you if you find yourself confused.

Watch for Unhelpful Thinking Styles

As children, our brains come up with ways to understand and protect us from situations that frighten us or are outside our control. As we get older and have more options available to us, these thinking styles sometimes begin to hinder us more than help us. Take some time to look at these unhelpful thinking styles (also called cognitive distortions) and see if you recognize any in yourself. Ask your social worker or therapist to help you if you find yourself stuck in any particular pattern.  

Can You Spot Logical Fallacies?

A logical fallacy is a flaw in reasoning. Logical fallacies often creep into arguments when people are trying to persuade other people to do things. Whether or not the other person is aware of the error in their logic, you don’t have to be fooled by them. Check out YourLogicalFallacyIs.com to learn more about some of the common logical fallacies. You can also view a poster of the 24 logical fallacies (and download it), or you can click through each fallacy one by one .

Whose Problem Is it?

Adapted from handout developed by The Speech Resource via TeachersPayTeacher.com and made available for educational and noncommercial use

Sometimes we want to solve problems that worry us but aren’t within our power to solve. We can’t control what another person chooses to do — we can only change our own behavior. Can the problem be fixed by what we think, say or do? If so, then it’s within our power to solve.

If the problem is bigger than us, however, then we are limited in what we can do to solve it. We can look at the ways we may be contributing to the problem, and then take responsibility for our actions. We can set a boundary to protect ourselves from harm as best we can. We can offer support, if appropriate, or ask for help from someone who has the ability to do something about it. You can try using this decision-making tree to help you sort it out your options. 

Isthismyproblem

Making Sound Decisions

Here are some tools you can use when you need to make a decision when there is no obvious answer or clear choice.

Makeadecision

To Change or Not To Change
Use this worksheet to explore the advantages and disadvantages of changing and not changing. Start with the “advantages of not changing” in the upper left square and working your way around the squares clockwise (to the right, down, then left).

The Problem Grid (printable) and The Problem Grid (digital interactive version)
Use this worksheet to help you explore a problem from different perspectives — your own, the other person’s, and a neutral observer.

Solution-Focused Problem Solving
Use this structured worksheet to think through possible solutions, identify their advantages and disadvantages, choose an option, and put it into action.

SWOT Analysis
This tool can be used to think through the potential strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats (SWOTs) of a situation.  

Need Help Now?


EMERGENCIES: Call 911

California Youth Crisis Line: 1-800-843-5200
Connecting youth to trained counselors and local services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Your Life Your Voice1-800-448-3000

Crisis Text Line: send text to 741 741 

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Know Your Rights!

If you have questions about your rights or need help with other issues while you are in foster care, contact the Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson.

Foster Care Ombudsperson
1-877-846-1602 (toll-free helpline)
fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov


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