Sometimes, you just need a long List of Emotions. This printout is just that. The 57 emotions listed in this worksheet range from basic (e.g., happiness, sadness) to complex (e.g., inadequate, disdain). It can be helpful to have one of these worksheets handy when you're working with clients who have difficulty verbalizing how they feel. Let them choose from a list so they can better express themselves, and teach some new emotion words in the process.
If you want to get creative, this worksheet can be used for a number of other purposes, as well. For example, you might ask group members to take a few minutes to circle the emotions they have experienced within the past week, and then to share their responses. This sort of activity serves as an excellent icebreaker, or an activity to improve emotional literacy.
For illustrated emotion activities for children, check out the Emotion Faces handout and interactive therapy tool:
