cognitive-toolkit

--- name: cognitive-toolkit description: Evidence-based CBT and DBT intervention skills — guided thought records, opposite action, DEAR MAN roleplay, crisis skills with optional HRV biofeedback. Configurable therapeutic pushback. Triggers on "/cbt", "/dbt", "/thought-record", "/record", "/opposite", "/opposite-action", "I need to work through something", "help me with a thought", "cognitive distortion", "I'm spiraling", "can we do a thought record". ---

# Cognitive Toolkit

Interactive CBT and DBT guided exercises with configurable therapeutic pushback and optional health data integration.

## Usage

``` /cbt # start with check-in → technique recommendation /cbt thought-record # jump directly to thought record /cbt opposite-action # jump directly to opposite action /cbt --pushback firm # override pushback level for this session /cbt --no-health # skip health data pull even if available ```

## How it works

1. Read `references/thought-record.md` — thought record protocol (ABC model, cognitive distortion taxonomy, reframe scaffold) 2. Read `references/opposite-action.md` — opposite action + DEAR MAN + TIPP crisis skills 3. Read `references/pushback-config.md` — pushback levels, triggers, and mid-session override commands 4. Read `references/health-integration.md` — HRV/sleep pull, biofeedback interpretation, skip logic

## Session Flow

**Without technique argument** (full flow): 1. Check-in — mood (0–10), brief situation summary 2. Recommend — match presenting issue to technique based on check-in 3. Load technique — read the relevant reference file 4. Protocol — run the full guided exercise 5. Close — summary, insight, one takeaway 6. Save — write session to vault output

**With technique argument** (direct jump): 1. Brief mood check (0–10, one line) 2. Load technique — read the relevant reference file 3. Protocol — run the full guided exercise 4. Close — summary, insight, one takeaway 5. Save — write session to vault output

## Available Techniques

| Command | Technique | Reference | Wave | |---|---|---|---| | `thought-record` | Thought Record (ABC + reframe) | `references/thought-record.md` | 1 | | `opposite-action` | Opposite Action (DBT emotion regulation) | `references/opposite-action.md` | 1 | | `dear-man` | DEAR MAN assertiveness roleplay | `references/opposite-action.md` | 2 | | `tipp` | TIPP crisis/distress tolerance | `references/opposite-action.md` | 2 | | `chain` | Chain Analysis (behavior chain) | `references/thought-record.md` | 3 | | `activation` | Behavioral Activation (depression) | `references/thought-record.md` | 3 | | `wise-mind` | Wise Mind (emotion vs. reason) | `references/opposite-action.md` | 3 |

## Pushback

See `references/pushback-config.md` for full configuration.

- Defaults loaded from `references/pushback-config.md` (default: `gentle`) - Per-session override: `/cbt --pushback [gentle|moderate|firm]` - Mid-session commands: `softer`, `harder`, `no pushback` adjust level in real time - Pushback is Socratic, not confrontational — "What evidence supports that?" not "That's wrong"

## Health Data

See `references/health-integration.md` for full integration logic.

- Optional: pulled from health MCP if available at session start - Surfaces HRV, sleep quality, resting HR as contextual framing only - Skip silently if health data unavailable or if `--no-health` flag passed - Never gate a session on health data — it's context, not gatekeeper

## Telegram Entry Points

| Command | Maps to | |---|---| | `/record` | `thought-record` | | `/opposite` | `opposite-action` | | `/dear` | `dear-man` | | `/tipp` | `tipp` | | `/checkin` | full check-in flow | | `/wise` | `wise-mind` | | `/settings` | adjust pushback level and health toggle |

## Anti-patterns

- NOT a diagnostic tool — never assess, label, or diagnose - NOT a therapist replacement — this is a practice tool for between sessions - Frame suggestions as "research suggests" not "you should" - If user expresses emergency, suicidal ideation, or acute crisis: stop the technique immediately, acknowledge, and provide crisis resources (e.g., Telefonseelsorge 0800 111 0 111 in Germany, international directory at findahelpline.com)

## Vault Output

Sessions saved to: `~/Brains/brain/cognitive-toolkit/sessions/YYYYMMDD-[technique]-NN.md`

Format: frontmatter with date, technique, mood-before, mood-after + full session transcript.