Objective To contribute to studies in Psychology through a systematic and methodological analysis of the comparison between a tree and the cognitive model of the cognitive behavioral theory, establishing similarities and differences between the comparative domains. Method It is a qualitative, exploratory, documentary research, based on the Conceptual Metaphor, the Cognitive-Behavioral Theory, and on the Methodology of Teaching with Analogies. It starts from the hypothesis of the existence of a conceptual metaphor in which “the cognitive model is structured like a tree”, transposing characteristics between both. It verifies, classifies, analyzes the comparison by means of analogical reasoning and the filling of comparative charts between vehicle and target. Results The results point to the complexity and potential of comparison if treated systematically and methodologically. Conclusion The research results corroborate the hypothesis that originated it.