In therapy, clients often learn that how they feel is a consequence of how they think. While this is often true, emotions can also happen independently of thought, such as in response to an external event, or for no obvious reason at all.
Our Emotion Log invites clients to record any strong emotion along with their response to it. A twist on the conventional thought log, this worksheet puts more emphasis on emotion, asking clients to connect what they feel to the following:
- what triggered the emotion
- what they did in response to the emotion
- what happened as a result of this response
Use this resource with clients who struggle to regulate their emotions or respond to them in a healthy way. This includes clients with depression, anxiety, impulsive behaviors, or problematic relationships.
After clients complete the log, talk about it in session. Identify any patterns, such as the emotions that give clients the most trouble. If clients are engaging in unhealthy behaviors, try to come up with better alternatives.
Remind clients that it’s not always possible to identify a trigger for their emotions. In those cases, it’s okay to leave this part of log blank.
