A self-monitoring worksheet designed to help clients track ruminative episodes and support functional analysis of rumination.
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.
A copy of the worksheet in PDF format.
Monitoring thoughts, feelings, and symptoms is an essential skill in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The Rumination Diary helps clients to record the incidence and consequences of rumination and repetitive thought.
Self-monitoring is a cornerstone of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), supporting both assessment and intervention. This resource assists clients in observing and recording important information that can:
Repetitive negative thoughts that contribute to low mood.
Persistent negative thoughts about past events.
Dwelling on the causes and consequences of trauma.
Other difficulties where rumination is a feature, such as social anxiety and low self-esteem.
Explain the benefits and rationale for keeping a diary.
Agree targets for self-monitoring.
Provide instructions for completing the diary and rehearse with the client.
Review the client's completed diary in-session.
Modify self-monitoring based on progress, shifting focus as needed.
Rumination (habits of repetitive thought) is a transdiagnostic mechanism in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) - it serves to maintain or prolong a wide variety of clinical conditions including depression and generalised anxiety. The Rumination Diary is a CBT diary for recording ruminative thoughts and images. Clients are encouraged to record the triggers for the rumination as well as accompanying, emotions, ruminative content, and consequences of rumination. This worksheet can be a helpful part of the development of a functional analysis of rumination.
