Assertiveness Training Worksheets

Assertive Communication
Information handouts
Assertive Responses
Exercises
Avoidance Hierarchy (Archived)
Archived
Behavioral Experiment
Worksheets
Behavioral Experiment (Portrait Format)
Worksheets
Boundaries - Self-Monitoring Record
Worksheets
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Low Self-Esteem (Fennell, 1997)
Information handouts
Evaluating Unhelpful Automatic Thoughts
Guides
Fair Fighting Rules For Resolving Conflict
Information handouts
Fear Ladder
Worksheets
Interpersonal Beliefs And Styles
Worksheets
Reciprocal CBT Formulation
Worksheets
Self Critical Thought Challenging Record
Worksheets
Therapy Blueprint (Universal)
Worksheets
Unhelpful Thinking Styles
Information handouts
What Do People Think About Themselves (CYP)?
Exercises
Assessment
Scales
- The Assertiveness Inventory | Alberti, Emmons | 1986
- Scale download archived copy
References
- Alberti, R.E. and Emmons, M.L. (2017). Your Perfect Right: Assertiveness and Equality in Your Life and Relationships(10th ed.). Oakland, CA: Impact Publishers/New Harbinger Publications.
- Gay, M. L., Hollandsworth, J. G., & Galassi, J. P. (1975). An assertiveness inventory for adults. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 22(4), 340-344.
Intervention
- Being assertive | Helen Kennerley | 2016 download archived copy
Information Handouts
- Assertive behaviors: Ideas to keep in mind
downloadarchived copy - Guide to healthy relationships
downloadarchived copy - Assertive communication: Mini-poster download
- Assertive communication
downloadarchived copy - Being assertive (workbook) | Williams | 2000
downloadarchived copy
Self-Help Programmes
Improving your assertiveness
- What is assertiveness? download
- How to recognise assertive behaviour download
- How to think more assertively download
- How to behave more assertively download
- Reducing physical tension download
- How to say “no” assertively download
- How to deal assertively with criticism download
- How to deal with disappointment assertively download
- How to give and receive compliments assertively download
- Putting it all together download
Recommended Reading
- Duckworth, M. P. (2009). Assertiveness skills and the management of related factors in O’Donohue, W. T., Fisher, J. E., & Hayes, S. C. (Eds.). (2004). Cognitive behavior therapy: Applying empirically supported techniques in your practice. John Wiley & Sons.
- Heimberg, R. G., & Becker, R. E. (1981). Cognitive and behavioral models of assertive behavior: Review, analysis and integration. Clinical Psychology Review, 1(3), 353-373.
- Speed, B. C., Goldstein, B. L., & Goldfried, M. R. (2018). Assertiveness training: A forgotten evidence‐based treatment. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 25(1), e12216. archived copy
What Is Assertiveness?
Signs and Symptoms of Un-assertiveness
Assertiveness is a skill. Being assertive means being able to stand up for your own rights, or those of others, in a calm and positive way. People who struggle to be assertive might:
- find it difficult to stand up for their rights or put across their point of view;
- behave passively and comply with the wishes of others;
- respond aggressively and fail to consider the views of others.
Psychological Models and Theory of Assertiveness
Heimberg and Becker (1981) review both behavioral and cognitive models of assertive behavior. They argue that a behavioral model of assertiveness is based on four major assumptions:
- Non-assertive behavior is the result of a deficit in assertiveness skills.
- Reinforcement of assertive behavior is an essential part of its development and maintenance.
- Different types of assertive behavior are independent from one another and may need to be taught separately.
- Assertive behavior is situation-specific.
Examining a cognitive model of assertiveness, Heimberg and Becker (1981) propose that
non-assertiveness may be the result of:
- maladaptive cognitions such as self-statements;
- irrational beliefs and negative self-evaluations;
- expectations of unwanted results from assertive behavior;
- differences in information processing and cognitive flexibility between assertive and non-assertive individuals.
Evidence-Based Psychological Approaches for Increasing Assertiveness
Speed, Goldstein, and Goldfried (2018) review research on assertiveness training and place it within a historical context. They describe how assertiveness training fell out of favor with moves toward a medical model approach to treating psychological difficulties. They review evidence for assertiveness training as a stand-alone intervention. They also review the role of assertiveness within Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) ‘interpersonal effectiveness’ modules, behavioral activation programs, and its fit within committed value-based actions as a part of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). They conclude:
“Early basic research suggests that assertiveness problems are common among externalizing disorders, such as depression and anxiety, as well as nonclinical problems such as self-esteem and relationship satisfaction, making assertiveness a construct that may play a central role in the maintenance of clinical problems. Importantly, a substantial body of early research supports the efficacy of assertiveness training in improving clinical symptoms, increasing self-esteem, relationship satisfaction, and assertiveness—both broadly and within specific contexts.”
Resources for Working with Assertiveness
Psychology Tools resources available for working therapeutically with assertiveness may include:
- psychological models of assertiveness
- CBT worksheets for assertiveness
- information handouts for assertiveness
- exercises for assertiveness
- self-help programs for assertiveness
References
- Alberti, R. E., & Emmons, M. L. (1974). Assert yourself—It’s your perfect right. San Luis Obispo. CA: Impact.
- Heimberg, R. G., & Becker, R. E. (1981). Cognitive and behavioral models of assertive behavior: Review, analysis and integration. Clinical Psychology Review, 1(3), 353–373.
- Speed, B. C., Goldstein, B. L., & Goldfried, M. R. (2018). Assertiveness training: A forgotten evidence‐based treatment. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 25(1), e12216. https://doi.org/10.1111/cpsp.12216