Coping Strategy Evaluation Worksheet
Identifying Patterns and Building a Plan for Healthier Stress Responses
Coping Strategy Evaluation Worksheet
Identifying Patterns and Building a Plan for Healthier Stress Responses
Coping Strategy Evaluation Worksheet
Identifying Patterns and Building a Plan for Healthier Stress Responses
Everyone uses coping strategies to manage stress, difficult emotions, and uncomfortable situations. Some strategies offer immediate relief but create long-term harm, such as substance use, avoidance, or aggression. Others may require more effort in the moment but produce lasting benefits, such as exercise, problem-solving, or reaching out for support. Research on emotion regulation shows that people who can recognize their unhealthy patterns and deliberately replace them with adaptive alternatives experience lower anxiety, stronger relationships, and greater resilience over time (Aldao et al., 2010). Use this worksheet to examine a current challenge, identify the coping strategies you are relying on, and begin planning healthier alternatives.
Think about a problem or stressor you are currently facing. In each row, identify one coping strategy you are currently using (healthy or unhealthy), describe the short-term and long-term consequences of that strategy, and write one healthier alternative you could try. Rate how confident you feel about using the healthier alternative from 1 (not at all confident) to 10 (very confident).
| Current Coping Strategy | Short-Term Effect | Long-Term Consequence | Healthier Alternative | Confidence (1-10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
References
- Aldao, A., Nolen-Hoeksema, S., & Schweizer, S. (2010). Emotion-regulation strategies across psychopathology: A meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(2), 217-237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2009.11.004
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Common Questions
What is the Coping Strategy Evaluation Worksheet worksheet?
Everyone uses coping strategies to manage stress, difficult emotions, and uncomfortable situations. Some strategies offer immediate relief but create long-term harm, such as substance use, avoidance, or aggression.
How do I use the Coping Strategy Evaluation Worksheet worksheet?
Fill out this worksheet digitally or print it for use in session. You can save your progress with a Pro account. Take your time with each column — there are no right or wrong answers.
Is the Coping Strategy Evaluation Worksheet worksheet free?
Yes. Like every worksheet on Therapy Resource, it is free to read, print, and download as a PDF, no account required. A Pro subscription adds online filling with saved progress, practice-branded PDF exports, and secure client sharing.
Can I fill out the Coping Strategy Evaluation Worksheet worksheet online?
Yes. Switch the worksheet to "Type on Screen" mode to fill in the fields directly in your browser before printing. Pro members can also save their entries across sessions and export the completed worksheet as a branded PDF.
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