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Exercises

Many forms of psychological therapies, such as CBT, are as much about 'doing' as they are about talking and reflecting. This means that key therapeutic interventions are exercises that introduce a new way of thinking, acting, and, ultimately, feeling. Exercises are tasks that you can try with your clients in-session, or tasks that your clients can complete outside session. Popular cognitive behavioral exercises include diaphragmatic breathing, interoceptive exposure, and worry postponement.
Exercises
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Am I Experiencing Anorexia?

Anorexia (anorexia nervosa) is a condition characterized by the restriction of energy (food) intake relative to requirements, leading to a significant ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-anorexia

Exercises

Am I Experiencing Bulimia?

Bulimia (bulimia nervosa) is a condition characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating, accompanied by repeated inappropriate compensatory behav ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-bulimia

Exercises

Am I Experiencing Burnout?

‘Burnout’ is characterized by feeling emotionally drained, unmotivated, and ineffective as a result of prolonged stress during work. This can impa ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-burnout

Exercises

Am I Experiencing Death Anxiety?

Am I Experiencing Death Anxiety? is an indicative screening tool, designed to help clients self-assess whether their experiences might warrant further ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-death-anxiety

Exercises

Am I Experiencing Depersonalization And Derealization?

Depersonalization-derealization disorder is a condition characterized by feelings of unreality and detachment from your self (your emotions, thoughts, ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-depersonalization-and-derealization

Exercises

Am I Experiencing Depression?

Depression is a condition characterized by an extended period of low mood, anhedonia, and reduction in activity. Am I Experiencing Depression? is an i ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-depression

Exercises

Am I Experiencing Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition characterized by problematic worry. Am I Experiencing Generalized Anxiety Disorder? is an indicative ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad

Exercises

Am I Experiencing Health Anxiety?

Health anxiety (also referred to as illness anxiety disorder and hypochondriasis) is a condition characterized by a preoccupation with, or fear about, ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-health-anxiety

Exercises

Am I Experiencing Low Self-Esteem?

Low self-esteem is characterized by holding oneself in low regard. Am I Experiencing Low Self-Esteem? is an indicative screening questionnaire designe ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-low-self-esteem

Exercises

Am I Experiencing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition characterized by the presence of persistent obsessions, compulsions, or both. Am I Experiencing Obs ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd

Exercises

Am I Experiencing Panic Attacks?

Panic attacks are discrete episodes of intense fear or apprehension. They are accompanied by the rapid and concurrent onset of characteristic symptoms ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-panic-attacks

Exercises

Am I Experiencing Panic Disorder?

Panic attacks are discrete episodes of intense fear or apprehension, accompanied by the rapid and concurrent onset of several physiological and psycho ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-panic-disorder

Exercises

Am I Experiencing Perfectionism?

Perfectionism is a condition characterized by pursuing and basing one’s self-worth on the achievement of high standards, despite the corresponding n ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-perfectionism

Exercises

Am I Experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition characterized by unwanted memories of trauma, high levels of arousal, and avoidance. Am I Experie ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd

Exercises

Am I Experiencing Psychosis?

Psychosis is an umbrella term which encompasses experiences such as delusions and hallucinations. Am I Experiencing Psychosis? is an indicative screen ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-psychosis

Exercises

Am I Experiencing Social Anxiety?

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent fear or anxiety concerning social or performance situations that is out of proportion to the ac ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/am-i-experiencing-social-anxiety

Exercises

Anger Decision Sheet

Individuals who have a problem with anger can benefit from considering and rehearsing different responses to triggering situations. The Anger Decision ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/anger-decision-sheet

Exercises

Assertive Responses

Being able to communicate assertively is an essential skill for developing and maintaining healthy relationships and positive self-esteem. Individuals ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/assertive-responses

Exercises

Attention Training Experiment

Self-focused attention can make people less likely to see their social performance in a positive light, and contributes to the maintenance of social a ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/attention-training-experiment

Exercises

Attention Training Practice Record

When people struggle to control the focus of their attention, they find it much harder to interrupt cycles of worry, rumination, and other forms of se ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/attention-training-practice-record

Exercises

Before I Blame Myself And Feel Guilty

Guilt is a common post-traumatic reaction and is often the result of cognitive bias. This CBT worksheet explores common cognitive biases that have bee ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/before-i-blame-myself-and-feel-guilty

Exercises

Checklist For Better Sleep

Some sleep experts recommend that sleep hygiene issues be attended to as one component of treatment for poor sleep. This sleep hygiene worksheet is in ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/checklist-for-better-sleep

Exercises

Coercive Methods For Enforcing Compliance

Individuals who have experienced abuse often focus on their own actions (or inactions) and blame themselves for their own abuse. This client informati ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/coercive-methods-for-enforcing-compliance

Exercises

Decatastrophizing

Catastrophic thinking (magnification) is characteristic of many anxiety problems. This CBT worksheet for decatastrophizing is a tool for cognitive res ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/decatastrophizing

Exercises

Drawing Your Feelings (CYP)

Enhancing a child’s vocabulary for their feelings is one way of helping them to understand and learn to manage their internal world. The Drawing You ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/drawing-your-feelings-cyp

Exercises

Embracing Uncertainty

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) was first described in individuals suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Many behaviors associated with G ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/embracing-uncertainty

Exercises

Exposure And Response Prevention

Exposure And Response Prevention (ERP, EX/RP) is an effective treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). This CBT worksheet guides therapists ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposure-and-response-prevention

Exercises

Exposure Practice Form

Exposure is an effective treatment for many forms of anxiety. The Exposure Practice Form is a CBT worksheet which guides therapists and clients throug ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/exposure-practice-form

Exercises

Facing Your Fears (CYP)

Graded or graduated exposure is a traditional way of overcoming fears and phobias. The therapist helps the client to draw up a list of feared situatio ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/facing-your-fears-cyp

Exercises

Fact Or Opinion

One cognitive error which commonly results in distress is to act on our opinions as though they were facts. This CBT exercise helps clients to practic ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/fact-or-opinion

Exercises

Gratitude Journal

Cultivating gratitude is an evidence-based positive psychology technique. This information handout describes reasons to cultivate a grateful attitude ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/gratitude-journal

Exercises

Grounding Techniques

Individuals who have experienced trama often find it difficult to stay within the 'window of tolerance'. Grounding techniques (which can be sensory/pe ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/grounding-techniques

Exercises

How Does Emotion Affect Your Life?

By encouraging your clients to reflect upon the role of emotions in their life you can help them to discuss current difficulties. ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/how-does-emotion-affect-your-life

Exercises

Interoceptive Exposure

Misappraisals of body sensations trigger emotional and physiological reactions of fear and heightened arousal. These feelings motivate behavioral resp ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/interoceptive-exposure

Exercises

Intrusive Thoughts Images And Impulses

Intrusive Thoughts, Images, And Impulses that are experienced as distressing are a feature of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). They are also a com ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/intrusive-thoughts-images-and-impulses

Exercises

Learning To Relax (CYP)

Stress and tension are prevalent complaints amongst children and young people. Teaching relaxation exercises can engender a beneficial sense of contro ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/learning-to-relax-cyp

Exercises

Meaning In Tinnitus

The psychological approach to tinnitus proposes that it is the meaning attached to perceptions which gives rise to distress - this is similar to the a ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/meaning-in-tinnitus

Exercises

Motivation and Ambivalence

Motivation is a necessary precursor to change, yet many clients are ambivalent about the process of change. The Motivation And Ambivalence worksheets ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/motivation-and-ambivalence

Exercises

Nightmare Exposure And Rescripting

Imagery rescripting is an effective treatment for intrusive and unwanted memories. Nightmare Exposure And Rescripting employs similar techniques and c ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/nightmare-exposure-and-rescripting

Exercises

OCD Hierarchy

Part of traditional CBT treatment for OCD is exposure to situations which trigger obsessions (classically accompanied by the prevention of the associa ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/ocd-hierarchy

Exercises

Pacing For Pain And Fatigue

Pacing is an evidence-based approach to increasing activity and fitness, and in reducing overall pain and fatigue. It is designed to prevent 'boom and ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/pacing-for-pain-and-fatigue

Exercises

Pie Charts

A common cognitive bias is to take an egocentric approach to events. When applied to negative events this can result in an exaggerated sense of respon ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/pie-charts

Exercises

Play The Script Till The End

Fears and worries can operate at different levels. Underlying one fear (e.g. "he won't turn up") can be deeper fears (e.g. "nobody will ever love me") ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/play-the-script-till-the-end

Exercises

Problem List

An important task during the assessment phase of therapy is to identify client difficulties. The Problem List worksheet is a helpful way of gatherin ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/problem-list

Exercises

Problem Solving

Problem Solving is a structured worksheet which encourages solution-focused thinking. Clients are encouraged to identify a problem, identify multiple ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/problem-solving

Exercises

Problem Solving (CYP)

Effective problem solving is an essential life skill and this Problem Solving worksheet is designed to guide children and adolescents through steps wh ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/problem-solving-cyp

Exercises

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Progressive relaxation training originated in the 1930’s as a treatment for tension and anxiety. Edmund Jacobsen developed a systematic and lengthy ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/progressive-muscle-relaxation

Exercises

Prompts For Challenging Negative Thinking

The CBT model proposes that how we think affects the way we feel. Challenging our unhelpful thoughts (cognitive restructuring) is an essential skill w ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/prompts-for-challenging-negative-thinking

Exercises

Relaxed Breathing

Practising Relaxed Breathing serves to reduce physiological arousal and can be an excellent grounding technique. This client information handout descr ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/relaxed-breathing

Exercises

Safety Plan

The collaborative development of a safety plan is a brief psychosocial intervention for suicidal patients. The intent of a safety plan is to help ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/safety-plan

Exercises

Sleep Restriction

Sleep restriction is behavioral intervention used in the treatment of insomnia. It is an evidence based treatment for insomnia, both as a standalone t ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/sleep-restriction

Exercises

Stimulus Discrimination

Stimulus discrimination is a component of cognitive behavioral treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Clients are guided to deliberately ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/stimulus-discrimination

Exercises

Supervision Preparation

A common CBT approach to supervision is to frame discussion around a supervisee's question. This worksheet can guide supervisee's reflections around w ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/supervision-preparation

Exercises

SWOT Analysis

SWOT Analysis is a tool, originally from management theory, which can help to guide action in the face of uncertainty or ambivalence. Clients can be a ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/swot-analysis

Exercises

Taking Panic Out Of The Body

A critical driver of panic reactions is catastrophic misinterpretation of body sensations. This worksheet helps therapists to teach clients about the ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/taking-panic-out-of-the-body

Exercises

Thoughts Or Feelings

Differentiating between thoughts and feelings (emotions and body sensations) is an essential skill in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Thoughts Or ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/thoughts-or-feelings

Exercises

TRAP TRAC

TRAP & TRAC worksheets can be usefully used as part of a behavioral activation programme as a way of overcoming responses which result in avoidanc ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/trap-trac

Exercises

Treatment Planning Checklist

Some clients find it difficult to generate treatment goals for therapy. This simple handout presents problems that some people bring to therapy. It ca ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/treatment-planning-checklist

Exercises

Values

Meaningful activity is value-driven. This ACT-informed worksheet explores the key domains of values and encourages clients to reflect upon what is imp ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/values

Exercises

VAS Scale

Visual analogue scales (VAS's) can be used for subjective ratings of emotion or other sensations such as pain. This is a handy VAS scale in the style ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/vas-scale

Exercises

Vertical Arrow Down Arrow Vertical Descent

Vertical Arrow / Downward Arrow / Vertical Descent is a form of Socratic questioning in which the therapist asks a succession of questions to uncover ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/vertical-arrow-down-arrow-vertical-descent

Exercises

Vicious Flower Formulation

Case conceptualizations (formulations) are designed to help clients and therapists come to a shared understanding of a problem. The 'vicious flower' a ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/vicious-flower-formulation

Exercises

What Do People Think About Themselves (CYP)?

People are not born with low self-esteem. Instead, we develop ideas about ourselves and our place in the world as a result of our life experiences. Pe ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/what-do-people-think-about-themselves-cyp

Exercises

What If

"What if...?" questions are a powerful way in which anxious individuals generate or maintain anxious states, particularly in generalized anxiety disor ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/what-if

Exercises

Worry Decision Tree

Worry is a cognitive process that involves thinking about problems that might happen in a way that can leave you feeling anxious or apprehensive. Not ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/worry-decision-tree

Exercises

Worry Postponement

Worry postponement ("worry time") is often prescribed as an exploratory or standalone intervention relatively early in the treatment of GAD, but  ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/worry-postponement

Exercises