Identify Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors

One way to help people understand their current reactions and patterns is to help them identify the specific thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and physical reactions they have related to everyday, real life situations. This exercise helps people understand how everyday situations trigger thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Think of a situation in the past month in which you had a strong emotional reaction and describe it below. Next, list the thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and physical reactions in your body you had related to this situation or event.