**3.5. Self-monitoring**

Self-monitoring is one of the cognitive elements of therapy, and generally used to facilitate the cognitive restructuring. The aim of the self-monitoring technique is to enable the child gain a self-awareness to identify his/her emotions and thoughts. Therefore, self-monitoring differs from other CBT techniques in that child monitors and evaluates his/her own behaviors by oneself.

While gaining the self-monitoring skill, the child must firstly gain awareness on whether the target reaction exists. Besides, keeping records on target behaviors is an important part of this technique. Thus, child can observe how often and when he/she performs such behaviors out of session, and notice the recurring patterns related to possible triggers on paper [83]. Focus of self-monitoring can also be emotions as well as behaviors. The target is to enable the child to observe his/her mood during the day, and realize which emotions are felt when and during which situations [50, 84]. Depressive children can be timid and shy for working on his/ her emotions and thoughts. At this point, therapist should undertake a more active role and encourage the child.
