Activity Diary (No Time Intervals)

The Activity Diary is an useful tool for tracking and planning daily activities.

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Language

Professional version

Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Client version

Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Fillable version (PDF)

A fillable version of the resource. This can be edited and saved in Adobe Acrobat, or other PDF editing software.

Editable version (PPT)

An editable Microsoft PowerPoint version of the resource.

Editable version (DOC)

An editable Microsoft Word version of the resource.

Overview

This Activity Diary provides a structured format for clients to record their activities throughout the day. Activity diaries can be used for activity monitoring during an assessment phase of therapy, symptom monitoring during therapy, correlating activity with symptoms, or activity scheduling as part of behavioral activation.

Why Use This Resource?

Activity diaries are valuable in therapy as they link activities with key symptoms. By systematically recording or planning day-to-day activities, clients and therapists can begin to address patterns of activity that impact mental health.

Enables monitoring of daily activities and correlates with symptoms.
Facilitates activity scheduling, which is part of behavioral activation, to improve mood.
Provides a clear, user-friendly structure for tracking activities.

Key Benefits

Monitoring

Systematically record daily activities.

Scheduling

Plan enjoyable or mastery-related activities in advance.

Insight

Explore the relationship between activities and key symptoms.

Adaptability

Suitable for various client needs and difficulties.

Who is this for?

Depression

Assists in activity scheduling and behavioral activation.

Anxiety Disorders

Tracks activities that influence anxiety levels.

Stress Management

Identifies times of the day associated with heightened stress.

Integrating it into your practice

Document

Clients document their activities each day.

Reflect

Analyze the diary to identify patterns that correlate activities with symptoms, problems, or mood changes.

Plan

Collaboratively plan activities to help alleviate symptoms.

Review

Regularly review activity diaries to monitor progress and adjust strategies.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

Activity diaries are associated with activity scheduling and behavioral activation. Daily systematic recording provides a structured method for exploring the interplay between activities, emotional states, and problematic symptoms. This resource aids therapists in identifying patterns such as avoidance or inactivity, which can inform case conceptualizations and interventions.

What's inside

An overview of the purpose of activity monitoring and scheduling.
Suggestions for using activity diaries effectively.
Daily slots for comprehensive activity tracking.

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FAQs

Clients should record (or schedule) activities in the designated daily slots.

Provide support by reviewing entries during sessions, offering encouragement and discussing barriers to regular use.

The structured format focuses on specific activities, rather than general journaling.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

Utilizing the Activity Diary facilitates:

Enhanced understanding of the impact of daily routines on mental health.
More effective identification and adjustment of problematic behavioral patterns.
Improved symptoms through structured activity planning.

Therapists benefit from:

A structured framework for assessing and modifying client activity.
Insights into into how to use activity diaries effectively.
An adaptable resource that can be used with various mental health conditions and therapeutic approaches.

Clinicians Who Use This Resource Also Use

References And Further Reading

Beck, A.T., Rush, A.J., Shaw, B.F., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford.

A Guide To Emotions