The Rumination – Self-Monitoring Record is a structured tool designed to collect information about how clients experience rumination.
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.
An editable Microsoft PowerPoint version of the resource.
An editable Microsoft Word version of the resource.
Developing self-monitoring skills teaches clients to systematically observe and record specific targets such as their own thoughts, body feelings, emotions, and behaviors. Though it’s usually introduced early in the therapy process, it can continue to provide an inexpensive and constant measure of problem symptoms and behaviors throughout treatment. The Rumination – Self-Monitoring Record is designed to help clients capture information about situations where they engaged in rumination.
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 self-monitoring.
Agree targets for self-monitoring.
Provide instructions for completing the record and rehearse with the client.
Review the client's completed self-monitoring record.
Modify self-monitoring based on progress, shifting focus as needed.
Self-monitoring is a technique where clients systematically observe and record their thoughts, feelings, emotions, and behaviors to enhance awareness and gain insight into their challenges. It is commonly used in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and involves two main components: discrimination (recognizing target phenomena) and recording (documenting occurrences).
Self-monitoring can be faciliating using various tools such as diaries, logs, and records, aimed at helping clients engage in their treatment by fostering self-control and autonomy. Data collected can inform case formulation and intervention planning, as it assists in identifying prevalent problems, unhelpful thinking patterns, triggers, and coping behaviors. Typically, self-monitoring is introduced early in therapy, particularly for covert phenomena like rumination or self-criticism. Clients may begin with simple tasks and advance to more detailed records exploring the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Psychology Tools self-monitoring records have been carefully designed to focus on particular targets. Typically, each form has a standard version that collects essential data about the target behavior, as well as an 'Extended' version that gathers additional information on the consequences of client behaviors. This extra data can help form hypotheses about reinforcing factors.
The Rumination – Self-Monitoring Record worksheet is designed to help clients capture information about situations where they engaged in rumination. It gives a concise definition of rumination and includes columns to record information about: triggers and situational context; a summary of the content of the duration of the rumination; consequences of the rumination; and details of how the ruminative episode ended.
