Tag: Life Goals

By Cassie Jewell, M.Ed., LPC, LSATP

Sites with Free Therapy Worksheets & Handouts

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.)

Click to jump to a section:

• Mental Health & Addiction
• Depression, Stress, & Anxiety
• Trauma & Related Disorders
• Psychosis
• ACT, CBT, & DBT
• Grief & Loss
• Anger
• Self-Esteem
• Values & Goal-Setting
• Children & Youth
• Adolescents & Young Adults
• Marriage/Relationships & Family
• Additional Worksheets & Handouts

Sites with Free Therapy Worksheets & Handouts

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
• Library of Self-Help Articles and eBooks | Handouts and articles on communication, relationships, children, anxiety, obsessions, anger, and more (Source: A Change in Thinking)
• 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
• Refuge Recovery | Download and print the truth inventory 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
• Sober Eastbourne | A UK-based resource site with links to organizations that post free tools for mental health and recovery
• 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
• Tim’s Resource Notebook | A small collection of handouts on various topics such as relationships, emotions, and values
• 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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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 and Grief Handouts
• 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

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Anger

• Anger Inventory | A 7-page PDF packet
• Anger Management | A 13-page PDF packet
• Anger Management Techniques | A 4-page PDF
• Anger Management Tools | A short list of downloadable resources (Source: Tim’s Resource Notebook)
• 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

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Self-Esteem

• Confidence Activities | A 25-page PDF packet
• Free Self-Esteem Worksheets
• 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

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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

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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)

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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

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Marriage/Relationships & Family

• 12 Types of Intimacy | (Tim’s Resource Notebook)
• 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)
• Dialogue Question Ideas | (Source: Tim’s Resource Notebook)
• 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
• Focus on Feelings | Tim’s Resource Notebook
• 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)
• Homework Page: Tools for Growth and Communication | Handouts, worksheets, and assessments for couples and families (Source: A Change In Thinking)
• Hope Couple: Counseling Resources | Assessments and worksheets from a Christian counseling site
• How We Love: Freebies | A small collection of free downloads
• Joy2MeU | A collection of articles by Robert Burney on relationships, codependency, and related topics (not in PDF form)
• My Marriage/Relationship: Where Am I Now? | Tim’s Resource Notebook
• 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 Communication | Tim’s Resource Notebook
• Relationship Counseling Forms | PDF forms for couples therapy (Source: Dan Metevier, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist)
• Relationship Worksheet | Tim’s Resource Notebook
• Signs of Unhealthy Boundaries | A 6-page PDF handout (Source: Healing Private Wounds)
• Thriving Couples Hierarchy | Tim’s Resource Notebook

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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
• Free Tools | Handouts, worksheets, and workbooks from The Wellness Society (including mindful coloring sheets)
• 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 self-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

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Please contact me if a link is no longer valid or if you’d like to recommend a site!