Past Vs. Present Worksheet
GinaMarie Guarino, LMHC
Throughout therapy, the therapist and client should regularly reflect on their development and progress toward their treatment goals. Monitoring progress can help ensure that the client is engaged and building coping skills to manage life's challenges. This is especially important for clients who are recovering from past hardships and developing a good sense of self-esteem.
Ensuring that the client is developing and applying insight and coping skills in challenging situations is an important part of facilitating their growth. Helping clients build resilience and a positive self-image can foster self-trust, healthy coping skills, and resolution of past hardships. This promotes high self-esteem and confidence.
About This Worksheet
Reflecting on the client's progress can help reinforce their ability to maintain their mental health. With the Past vs. Present worksheet, the client and therapist can work together to reflect on their key points of progress in therapy.
The client reflects on how they now handle challenging situations compared to their patterns before starting therapy. With the help of the therapist, the worksheet can illustrate how the client has grown, and what areas they need to continue building resilience and mental wellness.
Instructions
On the Past vs. Present worksheet, the client recalls a recent challenge. Then, they reflect on 5 areas of mental wellness by considering how they would have handled each area in the past versus how they handle it now.
After completing the exercise, the client reflects on what they have learned or realized from the exercise. To facilitate a discussion about their personal growth, the therapist may ask questions, such as:
- How aware were you of your personal growth before completing this worksheet?
- What does it feel like to reflect on your progress?
- Are there any areas that you would like to continue to work on in therapy?
This worksheet should be completed with the help of a therapist, as the client may need guidance on how to reflect on their therapeutic journey. This worksheet can be completed in individual and group settings, and is intended for adolescents and adults.
References
De Jong, K., Douglas, S., Wolpert, M., Delgadillo, J., Aas, B., Bovendeerd, B., Carlier, I., Compare, A., Edbrooke‑Childs, J., Janse, P., Lutz, W., Moltu, C., Nordberg, S., Poulsen, S., Rubel, J. A., Schiepek, G., Schilling, V. N. L. S., van Sonsbeek, M., & Barkham, M. (2024). Using progress feedback to enhance treatment outcomes: A narrative review. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 52(1), 210–222.
