Anxiety Self-Monitoring Record (Archived)

The Anxiety - Self-Monitoring Record (Archived) helps clients track and understand anxious thoughts, emotions and physical sensations, and coping responses in real-life situations.

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Full resource pack (PDF)

Everything you could need: a PDF of the resource, therapist instructions, and description with theoretical context and references. Where appropriate, case examples and annotations are also included.

Worksheet only (PDF)

A copy of the worksheet in PDF format.

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

Self-monitoring allows clients to systematically observe and record specific targets related to their anxiety, such as their key thoughts, body feelings, behaviors, and situational triggers. Self-monitoring is an integral part of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), increasing self-awareness, facilitating targeted interventions, and informing case conceptualization and intervention.

This Anxiety Self-Monitoring Record (Archived) is designed to help clients to better understand their anxious thoughts and responses.

Why Use This Resource?

Self-monitoring is a key component of CBT, supporting both assessment and intervention. It enhances client engagement, supports hypothesis testing, and helps establish a collaborative framework for treatment.

Encourages data gathering to better understand clients experience of anxiety, including relevant triggers and responses.
Helps identify situational contexts that influence anxiety symptoms.
Supports exploration of contextual factors and coping strategies related to anxiety.

Key Benefits

Precision

Provides a detailed information about how clients experience and respond to their anxiety.

Clarity

Provides insights into key anxiety-related symptoms.

Foundation

Serves as a basis for case formulation and targeted interventions.

Collaboration

Encourages clients to participate in therapy.

Who is this for?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Captures data on anxiety triggers and worrying thoughts.

Panic Disorder

Provides information about situations, physical sensations, catastrophic thoughts, and safety behaviours that play a role in panic.

Other Difficulties

Useful for clients experiencing other difficulties where anxiety can be feature, such as insomnia and eating disorders.

Integrating it into your practice

Focus

Select a specific area or symptom for the client to monitor (e.g., anxious thoughts when away from home).

Explain

Teach clients to document key aspects of anxiety, including associated thoughts and sensations.

Analyze

Review the record to formulate, identify patterns, and plan interventions.

Repeat

Use ongoing self-monitoring to track progress and refine strategies.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

Self-monitoring is central to CBT. Key components of self-monitoring include discrimination (identifying target phenomena) and recording (documenting these occurrences). Effective implementation involves choosing a clearly defined target, practicing in-session, and regular review (Persons, 2008).

What's inside

An easy-to-use framework for recording anxiety-related events, thoughts, and responses.
Guidance to maximize the effectiveness of self-monitoring.
Key references and recommendations for further reading related to self-monitoring.

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FAQs

Self-monitoring is a technique where clients observe and record specific thoughts, emotions, and behaviors related to their difficulties.

It increases awareness, supports hypothesis testing, and engages clients in understanding and addressing their anxiety.

Begin with simpler targets and provide in-session practice to build confidence and clarify the process.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

By incorporating self-monitoring, therapists enable clients to better understand key aspects of their anxiety, identify unhelpful patterns, evaluate coping strategies, and develop ideas about how it can be addressed.

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References And Further Reading

Barlow, D. H. (2004). Anxiety and its disorders: The nature and treatment of anxiety and panic. Guilford press.

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

A Guide To Emotions