Exploring emotions is a natural and healthy way to understand oneself. This can be done intentionally, as well as through daily experiences and self-reflection. Unfortunately, not everyone has had the opportunity to develop these emotional skills due to various challenges or a lack of support.
The Exploring Emotions Worksheet can pave the way for emotional awareness through a simple activity. Here, clients get to explore a particular emotion and write down their thoughts, feelings, and actions following the CBT triangle format. At the bottom of the worksheet, there’s a space for them to brainstorm skills to cope with stressful situations.
As children and teens pay attention to their emotions and reactions, they may gain insights that lead to personal growth. They can also use our Emotions Tracker worksheet for weekly reflections.
Adults may also suggest creating art as a way for kids or teens to explore their feelings. Drawing or painting with colors and shapes to represent their emotions allows them to express feelings they might find hard to put into words.
*This item is an instant digital download. A link to download your files will be emailed to you once payment is confirmed.
Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of feelings worksheets and handouts.
References:
- Astington, J. W., & Barriault, T. (2001). Childrenʼs theory of mind. Infants & Young Children, 13(3), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1097/00001163-200113030-00005
- Barley, R., & Russell, L. (2018). Participatory visual methods: Exploring young people’s identities, hopes and feelings. Ethnography and Education, 14(2), 223-241. https://doi.org/10.1080/17457823.2018.1441041
- Giombini, L., Nesbitt, S., Leppanen, J., Cox, H., Foxall, A., Easter, A., & Tchanturia, K. (2019). Emotions in play: Young people’s and clinicians’ experience of ‘Thinking about emotions’ group. Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 24(4), 605-614. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-019-00646-3
