FREE TOOLS FOR ADULTS, THERAPISTS AND CLIENTS
Clear words.
Mutual respect.
Effective communication includes expressing yourself, listening and checking understanding. Assertiveness helps you make your needs, views and limits clear while respecting other people.
Explore 14 practical resources with worked examples and space to practise. Choose one useful worksheet or download the complete collection. There is no need to complete them all.
Complete printable packComplete fillable packChoose your format: print the worksheets to write by hand, or download a fillable PDF and save a personal copy in a compatible PDF reader.
Understand
Notice your strengths and communication patterns.
My Communication Starting Point
Notice strengths, difficult situations and one useful starting goal.
A4 PDF | 2 pages | Worked example + practice
Passive, Aggressive or Assertive?
Compare communication styles and rewrite a response in your own words.
A4 PDF | 2 pages | Worked example + practice
My Communication Pattern Map
Connect a situation, prediction, feeling and response.
A4 PDF | 2 pages | Worked example + practice
Prepare
Identify what matters, listen and plan a message.
What Am I Feeling and Needing?
Turn a general sense of upset into a clearer message.
A4 PDF | 2 pages | Worked example + practice
Listen, Check and Understand
Practise listening, reflecting and checking before responding.
A4 PDF | 2 pages | Worked example + practice
What Makes Speaking Up Difficult?
Explore predictions, rules and a more flexible way forward.
A4 PDF | 2 pages | Worked example + practice
Practise
Build requests, boundaries and manageable practice.
Build an Assertive I Statement
Describe your experience and make a clear request without blame.
A4 PDF | 2 pages | Worked example + practice
Saying No and Setting a Boundary
State a limit and plan what you will do if pressure continues.
A4 PDF | 2 pages | Worked example + practice
Making Requests and Finding Agreement
Explore options that respect both people's needs.
A4 PDF | 2 pages | Worked example + practice
Responding to Criticism and Repairing
Sort useful feedback, clarify concerns and set respectful limits.
A4 PDF | 2 pages | Worked example + practice
My Assertiveness Practice Ladder
Plan manageable practice and test one prediction at a time.
A4 PDF | 2 pages | Worked example + practice
Review
Reflect on what happened and choose your next step.
Conversation Review and Progress Log
Compare predictions with events and decide what to practise next.
A4 PDF | 2 pages | Worked example + practice
Therapist tools
Plan collaborative sessions and adapt role-play to the person and context.
Communication Session Planner
Plan a collaborative session, rehearsal and between-session practice.
A4 PDF | 2 pages | Worked example + practice
Role-Play Scenarios and Feedback
Rehearse a realistic conversation and give collaborative feedback.
A4 PDF | 2 pages | Worked example + practice
A few helpful notes
How do I use a fillable PDF?
Download it and save a personal copy. Open it in a compatible PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat Reader. Type into the boxes, save, then close and reopen to check your answers. Keep answers brief; text that scrolls may not all print.
Can therapists use these with clients?
Yes. These original resources can be printed and shared unchanged for therapy sessions, including paid practice, with the source credit retained. Select and adapt tasks collaboratively using professional judgement. They are educational tools, not diagnostic measures.
Do I need to sound perfectly calm?
No. You can feel nervous and still be assertive. Eye contact and a particular tone are not universal tests. Adapt the format, wording and pace to your needs.
What if speaking up does not feel safe?
Where there are threats, coercion, abuse or credible risks, prioritise safety and suitable support. A direct conversation may not be an appropriate practice task.
Are my answers saved on this website?
This page only provides downloads and does not collect your worksheet answers. Completed copies are saved wherever you choose. Your PDF app may use cloud syncing; check its settings and use appropriate storage.
General educational resources. Use with appropriate support and adapt to your circumstances. Concepts checked against the Centre for Clinical Interventions assertiveness resources. Original SelfImproveCoach worksheets; no CCI endorsement implied.
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