An overview of 'assertive rights' that support assertiveness, self-expression, and healthy communication.
Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Assertiveness training has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve relationships, and enhance functioning at work. An important part of assertiveness training is introducing clients to ‘assertive rights’ – personal entitlements that help people express themselves, build respectful relationships, and challenge beliefs that hinder assertive communication.
This Assertive Rights information handout provides a list of key assertive rights. Therapists can use this list for psychoeducation or as a starting point for re-evaluating beliefs that encourage non-assertiveness.
Introducing clients to assertive rights is a key component of many assertiveness training programmes. Being aware of one's assertive rights:
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For anxious clients who struggle to express themselves.
To encourage confident, respectful social interactions.
Supports clients whose communication is hindered by guilt, hopelessness, or low self-worth.
For clients experiencing interpersonal difficulties that are impacted by communication problems.
Encourages development of self-respect and clear expression of needs.
Supports effective communication with colleagues.
Frame the handout as a set of rights that support healthy communication and ways of relating.
Review each right with the client.
Encourage clients to identify which rights they struggle to assert.
Link specific rights to real-life examples or recent experiences.
Discuss how the client can use these rights to support communication or challenge unhelpful beliefs.
Effective communication is essential for sharing information, coordinating actions, and achieving personal and professional goals (Rohner & Schutz, 2024). It plays a key role in building healthy relationships, allowing individuals to express needs, build trust, and resolve conflicts (McKay et al., 2018).
Communication styles, particularly in assertiveness literature, are typically categorized as assertive or non-assertive (Bonham-Carter, 2012; Speed et al., 2018). Assertive communication is recognized as effective in many situations and is characterized by clear and honest expression; respect for oneself and others; and taking responsibility for communication outcomes.
Assertive rights are universal personal entitlements that support self-expression, providing a “basic framework for… healthy participation in any human relationship” (Smith, 1975). They are a key topic in several assertiveness training programmes (e.g., Bishop, 2010; Jakubowski & Lange, 1978; Smith, 1975), serving as a philosophical foundation and educational tool for developing assertive communication and respectful interactions (Rakos, 1991; Renger et al., 2019). While the length and wording of assertive rights vary in the assertiveness literature, their core principles remain largely consistent, emphasizing themes such as dignity, self-expression, autonomy, and freedom from external expectations.
Introducing clients to assertive rights serves important therapeutic purposes: validating assertiveness as a legitimate choice, challenging unhelpful beliefs that restrict it, reminding clients of their freedom to choose their actions, and highlighting the costs of sacrificing their rights. However, they may come with risks, such as misinterpreting rights as a demand to always act assertively, encouraging entitlement, and creating frustration when assertiveness does not yield the desired outcome (Rakos, 1991; Rimm & Masters, 1978). However, there are potential risks, such as misinterpreting rights as a demand to always act assertively, encouraging a sense of entitlement, and creating frustration when assertiveness does not lead to the desired outcomes (Rakos, 1991; Rimm & Masters, 1978). To mitigate these risks, assertive rights should be presented in a balanced and context-sensitive manner that emphasizes personal responsibility, such as being accountable for mistakes, respecting others, listening to differing viewpoints, and recognizing everyone's right to self-expression (Jakubowski & Lange, 1978; Peneva & Mavrodiev, 2013).
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