By Cassie Jewell, M.Ed., LPC, LSATP
If you’re a counselor or therapist, you’re probably familiar with Therapist Aid, one of the most well-known sites providing free printable worksheets. PsychPoint and Get Self Help UK are also great resources for cost-free handouts, tools, etc. that can be used with clients or for self-help.
When I started blogging, I realized just how much the Internet has to offer when it comes to FREE! That being said, I’ve learned the term free is often misleading. There are gimmicky sites that require you to join an email list in order to receive a free e-book, PDF printables, etc.; I don’t consider that free since you’re making an exchange. I also dislike and generally avoid sites that bombard with ads. A third “free-resource” site that’s deceiving is the site with no gimmicks or ads, but turns out to be nothing more than a ploy to get you to buy something.
For this post, I avoided misleading sites and instead focused on government agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofits. I found some sites that offered a variety of broad-topic PDF resources and others that had fewer, but provided specialized tools. See below for links to over 50 sites with free therapy worksheets and handouts for both clinicians and consumers.
(Click here for free worksheets, handouts, and guides posted on this site.)
Please check back frequently; I update regularly.
Mental Health & Addiction (Sites with Worksheets/Handouts on a Variety of Topics)
91 Free Counseling Handouts | Handouts on self-esteem, emotions, recovery, stress, and more
A Change in Thinking: Self-Help Library | A large collection of worksheets and handouts on communication, relationships, depression, and more
A Good Way to Think: Resources | Worksheets and handouts on happiness, well-being, values, etc.
Articles by Dr. Paul David | Clinical handouts on depression, relationships, substance use disorders, family issues, etc.
ASI-MV Worksheets & Handouts | Addiction and recovery handouts
Belmont Wellness: Psychoeducational Handouts, Quizzes, and Group Activities | Printable handouts on assertiveness, emotional wellness, stress management, and more
Black Dog Institute: Clinical Resources | Download fact sheets, handouts, mood trackers, and more on a variety of mental health topics
Brene Brown: Downloads and Guides | Resources for work, parenting, the classroom, and daily life
Bryan Konik | Therapist & Social Worker: Free Therapy Worksheets | A collection of worksheets on stress management, anxiety, relationships, goal setting, and trauma
Cairn Center: Resources | A modest collection of printable assessments, handouts, and worksheets on DBT, anxiety, depression, etc.
Client Worksheets from Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorders (Treatment Improvement Protocols Services) | 44 client worksheets on addiction and recovery
Cornell Health: Fact Sheet Library | A variety of handouts and tracking sheet on various health topics; only a few relate to mental health and addiction
Daniel J. Fox, Ph.D.: Forms, Presentation Slides, and Worksheets | Topics include anger, emotions, borderline personality disorder, etc.
DOWNLOADS from Get Self Help | Free therapy worksheets and handouts on a variety of topics
Dr. Danny Gagnon, Ph.D., Montreal Psychologist: Self-Help Toolkits | Articles and handouts on worry, depression, assertiveness, etc.
EchoHawk Counseling: Materials and Resources | Articles, worksheets, and handouts on a variety of topics (boundaries, emotions, grief, stress, trauma, etc.)
Eddin’s Counseling Group: Worksheets | A short list of free worksheets and handouts
Faith Harper: Worksheets and Printables | A small collection of therapy worksheets and handouts, including a gratitude journal
Forward Ethos: Guide Sheets | Worksheets on mindfulness, anxiety, self-care, intimacy, relationships, and more
Free Stuff for Consumers and Professionals | A short list of downloads (Source: Jonathan S. Abramowitz, Ph.D.)
InFocus Resources | Family handouts on addiction
Lynn Martin | A short list of client handouts, including questionnaires
Mark R. Young, LMSW, LCSW (Resolving Concerns): Links & Forms | Links to factsheets, worksheets, assessments, etc.
Mental Health CE | Course content handouts on a variety of mental health topics
Motivational Interviewing Worksheets
My Group Guide: A Collection of Therapy Resources
Oxford Clinical Psychology: Forms and Worksheets | A large collection of therapy worksheets based on evidence-based practices
Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.: Addiction Recovery Worksheets | A modest collection of handouts/worksheets for addiction and recovery
PsychPoint: Therapy Worksheets
Self-Help Exercises from Gambling Therapy
Self-Help Reading Materials | Links to handouts on self-help topics (Source: Truman State University)
Self-Help Tools from Mental Health America | Links to assessments, worksheets, handouts, and more
Sleep and Depression Laboratory: Resources | A small collection of worksheets related to sleep, worry, and depression
SMART Recovery Toolbox | Addiction and recovery resources
The Stages of Change | A 7-page PDF packet (Source: Virginia Tech Continuing and Professional Education)
Step Preparation Worksheets | (Source: treatmentguide4u.com)
Substance Abuse | A 13-page PDF packet
Taking The Escalator: Therapy Tools | Handouts on addiction and recovery
Therapist Aid | Free therapy worksheets
Therapy Worksheets | A therapy blog with links to free worksheets on various mental health topics
Tools for Coping Series | A large collection of handouts on coping skills
Worksheets from A Recovery Story (Blog) | A small collection of addiction and recovery worksheets
Depression, Stress, & Anxiety
Alphabet of Stress Management and Coping Skills | Coping skills for every letter of the alphabet
Anxiety 101 | An 11-page PDF packet (Source: Michigan Medicine | University of Michigan)
Anxiety Canada: Free Downloadable PDF Resources | Anxiety worksheets for parents and self-help
Behavioral Activation for Depression | A 35-page packet
Coping with Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Some Cognitive Behavioural Self-Help Strategies | A 10-page packet
Creating Your Personal Stress Management Plan | A 10-page packet
Dr. Chloe: Worksheets for Anxiety Management | A small collection of worksheets and handouts
Panic Attack Worksheets (Inner Health Studio) | A 9-page PDF packet
Relaxation | A 15-page packet on relaxation skills for anxiety
Stress Management (Inner Health Studio) | A 5-page packet on stress management
UMASS Medical School Department of Psychiatry: Stress Management – Patient Handouts | A collection of handouts on stress management. Some of the other sections, including “General Health and Wellness” and “Nutrition” have links to handouts as well
Trauma & Related Disorders
Center for Sexual Assault & Traumatic Stress: Therapist Resources | More than just worksheets: client handouts, assessments, info sheets, toolkits, training resources, links, etc.
Child and Family Studies: Sex in the Family | An 8-page packet on shame and guilt in relation to child sexual abuse
Common Reactions to Trauma | A 1-page PDF handout
Detaching From Emotional Pain (Grounding) | A 12-page PDF packet (Source: Sunspire Health)
Grounding Exercises | A 2-page PDF handout
Grounding Techniques | A 1-page PDF handout from JMU Counseling Center
Grounding Techniques | A 2-page PDF handout
Healing Private Wounds Booklets | Religious handouts on healing from sexual abuse
Seeking Safety Resources | Printable worksheets on PTSD, substance abuse, and healthy relationships
Selected Handouts and Worksheets from: Mueser, K. T., Rosenberg, S. D., & Rosenberg, H. J. (2009). Treatment of Postraumatic Stress Disorder in Special Populations: A Cognitive Restructuring Program | A 13-page PDF packet
Trauma Research and Treatment: Trauma Toolkit A small collection of trauma handouts
Traumatic Stress: The Effects of Overwhelming Experience on the Mind and Body | A 12-page PDF packet (Source: Dan Metevier, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist)
Wisconsin Hawthorn Project: Handouts & Worksheets | Handouts in English and Spanish
Psychosis
CBT for Psychosis & Trauma Handouts
Early Psychosis Intervention: Client Worksheets | Scroll down to the “Client Worksheets” section for links. Use with clients who are experiencing psychosis
Goal-Setting Worksheet for Patients with Schizophrenia | A 3-page PDF
List of 60 Coping Strategies for Hallucinations | A 2-page PDF
Treatment for Schizophrenia Worksheet Pack | A 6-page PDF packet
ACT, CBT, & DBT
ACT Mindfully: Worksheets, Book Chapters & ACT Made Simple | ACT worksheets and other free resources
Cognitive Therapy Skills | A 33-page packet
Carolina Integrative Psychotherapy | A small collection of DBT worksheets and handouts
Clinician Worksheets and Handouts: Clinician Treatment Tools | A variety of CBT, DBT, etc. therapy worksheets
CPT Web Resources | A short list of worksheets and handouts
DBT Peer Connections: DBT Handouts and Worksheets | DBT resources
DBT Self-Help | Printable lessons and diary cards
Dr. John Forsyth: Free Resources | Download two free packets of worksheets (ACT and mindfulness)
Living CBT: Free Self-Help | 20+ CBT worksheets
Lozier & Associates: Dialectical Behavior Therapy Printables – DBT Worksheets and DBT Handouts | A small collection of DBT handouts and worksheets
Printable Versions of CPT/CBT Worksheets | English and Spanish worksheets (Source: The F.A.S.T. Lab at Stanford Medicine)
Veronica Walsh’s CBT Blog: Free Downloadable Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Worksheets/Handouts | Print/use these worksheets only with blog author’s permission
Grief & Loss
Activities for Grieving Children | A 7-page PDF
Bereavement Handouts (Hospice & Palliative Care) | A small collection of handouts
The Center for Complicated Grief: Handouts | Assessments, handouts, and guides
A Child’s Understanding of Death | An 11-page packet
Handouts to Download and Print: One Legacy | Handouts on grief and loss
Loss, Grief, and Bereavement | A 35-page PDF packet
Grief Factsheets: My Grief Assist
Printable Grief and Loss Resources | A fairly extensive collection of printable handouts on grief and loss
Anger
Anger Inventory | A 7-page PDF packet
Anger Management | A 13-page PDF packet
Anger Management Techniques | A 4-page PDF
Dealing with Anger (Inner Health Studio) | A 7-page PDF packet
Free Anger Management Worksheets: Letting Go of Anger | A small collection of worksheets for anger management
Getting to Know Your Anger | A 42-page PDF packet
Love To Know: Free Anger Worksheets | 7 downloadable anger management worksheets
Steps for Change: Anger Management Worksheets
Self-Esteem
Confidence Activities | A 25-page PDF packet
Growing Self-Esteem: Self-Esteem Worksheets
Improving Self-Esteem: Healthy Self-Esteem | A 10-page PDF packet
Self-Esteem Activities | A modest collection of handouts/activities for self-esteem
Self-Esteem Experts: Self-Esteem Activities | Printable handouts on self-esteem
Self-Esteem Printable Worksheets
Spiritual Self-Schema Development Worksheets: Yale School of Medicine
Values & Goal-Setting
10 Free Printable Goal-Setting Worksheets (from Parade)
Core Values and Essential Intentions Worksheet | A 2-page PDF worksheet
Core Values Clarification Exercise | A 4-page PDF worksheet
Core Values Worksheet | A 4-page PDF worksheet
Life Values Inventory | A 5-page printable PDF (Source: Brown, Duane and R. Kelly Crace, (1996). Publisher: Life Values Resources, pinnowedna@charter.net)
Personal Values Card Sort | A 9-page printable PDF (Source: W.R. Miller, J. C’de Baca, and D.B.Matthews, P.L., Wilbourne, University of New Mexico, 2001)
Values | A 2-page PDF worksheet
Values and Goals Worksheet | A 1-page PDF worksheet
Values Assessment Worksheet | A 2-page PDF worksheet
Values Exercise | A 2-page PDF worksheet
Values Identification Worksheet | A 6-page PDF worksheet (Source: Synergy Institute Online)
Values Inventory Worksheet | A 2-page PDF worksheet
What Are My Values? | A 4-page PDF worksheet from stephaniefrank.com
Children & Youth
A Child’s Understanding of Death | An 11-page packet
A Collection of Anger Management/Impulse Control Activities & Lesson Plans (PreK-3rd Grade) | A 64-page PDF packet
Activities for Grieving Children | A 7-page PDF
Cope-Cake: Coping Skills Worksheets and Game | A 30-page packet for young children/students
Crossroads Counseling Center: Resources | Handouts on depression, anxiety, ADHD, etc. in children
Curriculum Materials from Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center | Links to handouts
The Helpful Counselor: 10 Awesome Behavior Management Resources | Worksheets to use with children
Myle Marks: Free Downloads | Worksheets for children
Prevention Dimensions: Lesson Plans | Downloadable PDF handouts for children from kindergarten to sixth grade (Source: Utah Education Network)
Printable Worksheets | Worksheets for children on physical activity, substance abuse, nutrition, and more (Source: BJC School Outreach and Youth Development)
Social Emotional Activities Workbook | A 74-page PDF packet
Social Skills Worksheets | A packet of worksheets to use with children/youth
Stress Reduction Activities for Students | Link to a 20-page packet (PDF)
Adolescents & Young Adults
Change To Chill | Worksheets and handouts for reducing stress in teens and young adults
Emotional Intelligence Activities for Teens Ages 13-18 | A 34-page PDF packet
Handouts: Eppler-Wolff Counseling Center (Union College) | Handouts for college students
Healthy Living (Concordia University) | Handouts and articles for college students
Just for Teens: A Personal Plan for Managing Stress | A 7-page PDF handout
Oregon State University: Learning Corner | Student worksheets on time management, wellness, organization skills, etc.
The Relaxation Room (Andrews University) | Self-care and stress management handouts for college students
Resilience Toolkit from Winona State University | PDF handouts for college students on resiliency
Self-Help Resources from Metropolitan Community College Counseling Services | Links to articles for college students on a variety of topics (not in PDF form)
Self-Help (Western Carolina University) | Handouts for college students
Step UP! Program Worksheets and Handouts | Worksheets/handouts for students on prosocial behavior and bystander intervention
Teens Finding Hope: Worksheets and Information to Download | Spanish and English PDFs available
Tip Sheets from Meredith College Counseling Center | Student tip sheets on anger, body image, relationships, and other topics
Tools & Checklists from Campus Mind Works | Handouts and worksheets for students
UC Berkeley University Health Services Resources | Links to handouts, articles, and self-help tools for students
UMatter | Tools for college students on wellness, communication, healthy relationships, and more (Source: Princeton University)
Western Carolina University Counseling and Psychological Services: Self-Help | A modest collection of student wellness handouts along with a printable self-help workbook
Your Life Your Voice (from Boys Town): Tips and Tools | Links to articles and PDF printables on a variety of topics for teens and young adults
Marriage/Relationships & Family
21 Couples Therapy Worksheets, Techniques, & Activities | From Positive Psychology
Articles for Parenting from MomMD | Links to various articles/handouts (not in PDF form)
Drawing Effective Personal Boundaries | A 2-page PDF handout (Source: liveandworkonpurpose.com)
Emotionally Focused Therapy: Forms for Couples | A list of forms to use in EFT couples counseling
Exercises for Forgiveness | A 7-page PDF for recovering from an emotional affair
Healthy Boundaries by Larry L. Winckles | A 3-page PDF handout
Healthy Boundaries Program | A 15-page PDF packet (Source: The University of Toledo Police Department)
Healthy Boundaries vs. Unhealthy Boundaries | A 6-page PDF handout (Source: kimsaeed.com)
Hope Couple: Counseling Resources | Assessments and worksheets from a Christian counseling site
Joy2MeU | A collection of articles by Robert Burney on relationships, codependency, and related topics (not in PDF form)
New Beginnings Family Counseling: Handouts | Click on “Resources” to view and download handouts on relationships, anxiety, and depression. You can also download relationship assessment tools
Pasadena Marriage Counseling: Free Marriage Counseling Resources | A small collection of worksheets for couples therapy
Relationship Counseling Forms | PDF forms for couples therapy (Source: Dan Metevier, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist)
Signs of Unhealthy Boundaries | A 6-page PDF handout (Source: Healing Private Wounds)
Additional Worksheets & Handouts
8 Helpful “Letting Go of Resentment” Worksheets | Links to PDF worksheets
90-Day Health Challenge | Several health worksheets for download (Source: HealthyCampbell)
Acorns to Oaktrees: Eating Disorder Worksheets/Eating Disorder Forms | A small collection of handouts for eating disorders
Activity eBooks from Rec Therapy Today | A collection of downloadable workbooks on self-esteem, social skills, emotions, etc.
Alzheimer’s Association: Downloadable Resources | Handouts on Alzheimer’s
Attitudes and Behaviour | A 9-page PDF packet on criminal thinking
Commonly Prescribed Psychotropic Medications | A-page PDF (Source: NAMI Minnesota)
Conflict Resolution Skills | A 6-page PDF packet
Coping Skills | A 2-page PDF worksheet (Source: Temple University)
EDA Step Worksheets | From Eating Disorders Anonymous
Experiential Group Exercises for Shame-Resilience | A 4-page PDF packet with questions for discussion and group activities
Free Mindfulness Worksheets (Mindfulness Exercises) | A large collection of mindfulness handouts
Go Your Own Way | Downloads for veterans on various topics
Guilt vs. Shame Infographic: National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine | Printable infographic to illustrate the differences
Handouts and Worksheets | A 21-page PDF packet with handouts and worksheets on selfe-care topics
Homework and Handouts for Clients: ACT With Compassion | Handouts and worksheets related to self-compassion
Integrated Health and Mental Health Care Tools | Downloadable resources from UIC Center
International OCD Foundation: Assessments & Worksheets | Handouts for use with individuals with OCD
Learning to Forgive: The 5 Steps to Forgiveness | A 6-page PDF handout from Thriveworks
Managing Emotional Intelligence | A 7-page PDF packet (Source: inclusiv.org)
Motivation To Change | A 16-page PDF packet on motivation to change criminal behavior
Peers & Relationships | A 12-page PDF packet on how associates impact criminal behavior
Personal Development: Workplace Strategies for Mental Health | Handouts on resilience, communication, etc.
Prochaska and DiClemente’s Stages of Change Model | A 4-page PDF handout
Quick Reference to Psychotropic Medication | Downloadable PDF chart from John Preston, Psy.D.
Radical Forgiveness: Free Tools | A small collection of worksheets on forgiveness
Reducing Self-Harm | A 5-page PDF
Self-Care and Wellness Resources | Printable handouts and tools (Source: irenegreene.com)
Self-Care Starter Kit from University at Buffalo School of Social Work | Handouts on self-care topics
Self-Directed Recovery | Downloadable resources from UIC Center
Shame Psychoeducation Handout | A 5-page PDF handout
Stages of Change: Primary Tasks | A 2-page PDF handout
Therapy Worksheets: ADHD ReWired | Thought records, behavior charts, and other tools
Understanding and Coping with Guilt and Shame | A 4-page PDF handout
Wellness Toolkits | Printable toolkits from NIH
Please contact me if a link is no longer valid or if you’d like to recommend a site!
Any Richard Swartz Internal Family Systems or EMDR material?
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