Where’s the Evidence? | The Question That STOPS Distorted Emotions

12 Aug 2026 · 0 min

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In this brief segment, Melissa Gendreau introduces a practical cognitive technique for managing distorted emotions and thoughts. She explains that asking the simple question “Where’s the evidence?” helps clients (and herself) pause the emotional surge, identify the specific thought driving the feeling, and create mental space to evaluate that thought. By seeking factual support for the belief, the individual can replace unfounded assumptions with a more accurate picture, preventing the emotion from dictating the narrative. The approach is presented as a quick, permission‑granting tool to bring truth into emotional experiences.

One of the most helpful questions I ask clients and myself when emotions or thoughts feel distorted is simply, where's the evidence? When we ask this question, we're giving ourselves permission to back up from the emotion for a moment and look at the actual thought that's fueling it. This creates space to examine what we're believing and bring truth to the picture instead of letting the feeling write the whole story.