Lifeline: my story · worksheet 120
If you are here today, you have been through difficult times. Something or someone helped you, and you did something too. This worksheet is for finding it.
Before you start
- What it is for: To remind you that you have already got through hard times, and with what.
- 20-30 minutes.
- We stay with “what helped”, not with the difficulty.
- Small things count too: a song, a dog, a habit.
Prefer paper? Download the PDF to print (with a page for psychologists).
What to do with your results
See what repeats: often the same quality or the same person has helped you several times.
If you find it hard
If you can’t find anything, think of very small things: a song, an animal, a habit. If a memory overwhelms you, stop: just write one word, do a grounding exercise (worksheet 04 or 93) and talk about it with your psychologist.
For psychologists
The PDF also includes a page for the psychologist: how to run the exercise in session, points to watch and scientific references. You are free to use it with your clients.
For psychologists: aim, audience and duration
Identify, in the person’s story, the resources that helped them get through difficulties (people, places, activities, qualities) and check which ones are still available.
Low self-esteem, a sense of helplessness, EMDR preparation (resource installation), recovery after a crisis. Duration: 20-30 min.
References
Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures (3rd ed.). Guilford.
Adler, J. M., Turner, A. F., Brookshier, K. M., Monahan, C., Walder-Biesanz, I., Harmeling, L. H. & Albaugh, M. (2015). Variation in narrative identity is associated with trajectories of mental health over several years. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 108(3), 476-496.
Westerhof, G. J. & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2014). Celebrating fifty years of research and applications in reminiscence and life review: State of the art and new directions. Journal of Aging Studies, 29, 107-114.
These worksheets do not replace therapy. If you are in distress or having suicidal thoughts, call your local emergency number (112 in Europe; 3114 in France, free, 24/7).
Free worksheet for non-commercial use: you may share it with credit to the author, without modifying it (Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence).
