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Self-discovery worksheets are helpful therapeutic tools for supporting clients in values exploration and developing self-awareness.
This guide to self-discovery worksheets includes information on the benefits of self-exploration and provides value exploration and self-discovery prompts for therapists to use with clients.
We’ve also included free, downloadable self-discovery worksheets for adults in PDF format for you to save to your electronic health record (EHR) and use in your practice.
The benefits of self-exploration worksheets
Clients may come to therapy with specific problems to solve or symptoms to address, such as anxiety or recovery from a breakup.
However, they may struggle with the process of developing insight and self-awareness to understand how their values, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence their experiences, relationships, and outlook on life.
Part of the therapeutic process involves supporting clients' self-discovery.
Through values exploration and therapeutic treatment, clients examine who they are and gain insights into their core beliefs, values, aspirations, qualities, motivations, strengths, and how their experiences may shape their outlook and actions.
The benefits of using self-discovery worksheets include:
Greater self-awareness: Self-discovery worksheets can help clients better understand their emotions, triggers, and thought patterns.
Improved decision-making skills: Values exploration can help clients make decisions more aligned with their values and goals.
Increased emotional intelligence: Through greater self-awareness, clients can better understand, recognize, and manage their emotions, which helps to deepen empathy for others, reduce conflicts, and leads to improved emotional regulation.
Enhanced self-esteem and confidence: Understanding who you are and your unique traits and aspirations increases self-confidence and self-esteem.
Improved interpersonal skills: Self-discovery worksheets can help clients to better understand their needs and boundaries, helping them communicate more effectively, maintain boundaries, and have more fulfilling relationships.
Decreased stress and anxiety: By understanding triggers and emotional stressors, it becomes easier to regulate emotions, manage stress, and increase resilience when dealing with challenges.
Values exploration and self-discovery prompts
The following self-discovery worksheet prompts support exploration in the areas of values, identity, emotions, relationships, and life goals.
Self-awareness, identity, and values-based questions
What traits do you admire in others?
What are your core values?
What are your talents or skills?
How would you describe your beliefs and principles?
How would others describe your strengths and qualities?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What are three of your greatest accomplishments?
What gives you a sense of meaning and purpose?
How do you want others to perceive you?
Which activities make you feel most alive?
Emotional awareness prompts
Which emotions do you struggle with most, and why?
How do you usually respond to those emotions?
What are your stress triggers?
Which situations make you feel happiest and why?
How do you handle feedback and criticism?
How regularly do you make time to connect with your emotions?
In what ways could you align your values with your emotions?
Purpose and growth-based questions
Describe your biggest dreams.
What brings you joy and a sense of fulfillment?
What is your life’s purpose or mission?
How do you define success?
What is most important to you?
What is holding you back from achieving your goals and dreams?
What habits or behaviors do you need to change to grow as a person or succeed at achieving your goals?
What lessons have you learned from past experiences and how have they shaped your outlook on life?
What changes could you make to align more closely with your values and goals?
Relational and social exploration prompts
Which friends make you feel good about yourself?
Which qualities and traits do you most value in your relationships?
Are there friends that negatively impact your mental health and how you feel about yourself?
How do you handle conflict in your relationships?
What is most important to you in your relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners?
Which boundaries do you need to set to protect your well-being?
How do you show appreciation to your loved ones?
How can you improve your relationships to bring greater alignment with your goals, values, and boundaries?
How to use the self-discovery worksheets with clients
You can download and use our values exploration questions and self-discovery worksheet with clients in several ways.
For example, the self-discovery worksheet can be used in session to prompt clients with questions for self-exploration.
Therapists can also use the values therapy worksheet to empower clients to identify their strengths, values, and misalignments.
Lastly, you can use it as a handout for clients to complete the values exploration questions in between sessions and then debrief at their next therapy appointment.
Sources
Bench, S. W., Schlegel, R. J., Davis, W. E., & Vess, M. (2015). Thinking about change in the self and others: The role of self-discovery metaphors and the true self. Social Cognition.
Harris, R. (2019). ACT made simple: An easy-to-read primer on acceptance and commitment therapy (2nd ed.). New Harbinger Publications.
Harris, R. (2014). Complete worksheets. The Happiness Trap.
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. (2020). 55+ Self-Discovery Questions for Personal Growth.
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