Feelings Worksheets

Identifying feelings starts with noticing physical sensations, thoughts, and behavioral cues that signal an emotional response. Encourage clients to pause, name what they’re experiencing, and describe it using specific language rather than general terms like “good” or “bad.” Over time, practicing emotional labeling through tools like a Feelings Worksheet can strengthen awareness and emotional insight.

While emotions are complex and varied, psychologists often group them into six basic categories: happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust. These core feelings form the foundation for more nuanced emotional states, such as contentment, frustration, or anxiety. Recognizing these categories helps clients build a clearer emotional vocabulary and understand how different feelings influence their behavior.

The 4 R’s of emotional regulation are Recognize, Reflect, Reframe, and Respond. Clients first recognize what they’re feeling, reflect on its source, reframe unhelpful thoughts, and respond with adaptive coping strategies. Using this framework helps individuals manage emotions intentionally rather than reactively, fostering emotional balance and resilience.