Communication Styles Worksheets

What is a Communication Styles Worksheet?

Communication styles vary, and it is often the case that individuals will have their own way of communicating with others. While there are undoubtedly situations that require different types of communication, it is a good idea to reflect on how you communicate with others and whether or not the way you communicate is appropriate. When talking about communication styles, there are typically four different types: passive, assertive, passive-aggressive, and aggressive. There are some fairly significant differences between each of these styles, and many people are likely to agree that the assertive style is the most effective means of communication. As such, people who find it difficult to communicate with others may receive therapy treatment to help target this, which is where our communication styles worksheet comes in handy.

This resource has been designed to encourage clients to consider how each of the communication styles applies to different scenarios, before reflecting on how they themselves have communicated recently. Using the information in the completed worksheet, therapists can develop a treatment plan that specifically targets areas that may require improvement.

Looking for relevant resource? Make sure to check out our Communication Styles PTSD Worksheet.

How To Use This Communication Styles Worksheet

Using our communication styles worksheet is extremely easy. If you are already familiar with this process, feel free to skip to the next section, where we provide a completed communication styles worksheet example with fictional client responses. Otherwise, here are the steps we recommend you follow to get the most out of our resource:

Step One: Download the template

Naturally, the first thing you need to do is access and download the template. There is a link to both the template and the sample worksheet on this page, and if you click on these links the resource will open in a PDF reader. From there, you can save the worksheet to your device so it can be distributed at a later date.

Step Two: Distribute the worksheet to patients

This communication styles worksheet has been designed to be completed primarily by your clients. While you may assist them by explaining certain concepts, the worksheet will be most useful if it reflects the client’s experiences. In order to complete the worksheet, your client will be required to do the following:

1. Consider these scenarios: The first section of the worksheet asks the client to write a possible response to various scenarios using each of the communication styles. This task will deepen their understanding of what each style may look like, as well as encourage them to think about which response would be most appropriate.
2. Reflect on their own communication: Next, the client is asked to complete a reflection table based on their own communication. This includes describing an experience, how they responded, and whether a different type of communication style would have been more appropriate.

Step Three: Use the completed worksheet during your sessions

After your client has completed the worksheet, you should encourage them to bring it into their next session. You can go over their responses together, deepen your understanding of your client’s needs, and start to develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Step Four: Store securely

Lastly, completed worksheets contain confidential client information and as such, they should be stored securely. You can either store the worksheets in a physical location or use an online EHR system – both of these options are fine, provided they are HIPAA-compliant.

Who Can Use these Printable Communication Styles Worksheets (PDF)?

As the title suggests, the communication styles worksheet is mainly targeted toward clients who are looking to improve their communication skills. Realistically, this type of therapeutic goal could apply to a broad range of clients being treated for different things, including:

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Relationship Issues and/or Divorce
• Family Problems
• Anger Management
• Addiction
• Grief

Further, any of the following clinicians would benefit from using this worksheet:

• Therapists
• Psychologists
• Counselors
• Psychotherapists
• Social Workers

Why Is This Form Useful For Therapists?

This worksheet has a variety of different uses for therapists. Some of these uses include:

• Insight into client experiences: Because this worksheet is designed to be completed by the client, it provides an effective insight into the client’s experiences. We recommend encouraging your clients to be as honest in their responses as possible, so you can gain a better understanding of their communication styles and perception of the world around them.
• Go paperless: Our worksheet can be completed entirely online, allowing your therapy practice to go paperless. Reducing your use of paper will save your practice printing-related costs, as well as the obvious advantage of being environmentally friendly. Additionally, using an online EHR platform to store your documents has been shown to be a highly effective way of ensuring patient privacy, as these systems are often HIPAA-compliant.‍
• Organization: With this worksheet, your practice will also be able to elevate its organization. The template is pre-formatted, meaning you won’t have to spend any time structuring the worksheet and can instead get straight to handing it out to your clients.

Benefits of Communication Styles Worksheet Template

The communication styles worksheet additionally has a range of advantages for both therapists and their clients. Some of these benefits include:

Clients can learn more effectively

Primarily, this communication styles worksheet has been designed to teach clients about the way they communicate and how this can be improved. Therapists are likely to integrate a range of different interventions to target communication and this worksheet is a highly effective tool to be used in conjunction with other treatment methods. Clients will be able to reflect on their own life experiences and with the knowledge they gain from therapeutic sessions, can begin implementing new communication-related skills into their day-to-day lives.

Engage clients in their own care

One of the most effective ways to achieve therapeutic treatment goals is to involve clients in their own care. Individuals want to maintain their autonomy and collaborate with therapists to achieve desired outcomes, and this worksheet is a great tool for highlighting what these outcomes may be.

Develop treatment plans

With the information that a client includes on the completed worksheet, therapists can more effectively develop their treatment plans. They will be able to identify specific areas where clients want to improve and decide on appropriate intervention strategies that target these areas. In addition to a broader treatment plan, the completed worksheet can also help effectively inform session plans.

Track patient progress

It can be a good idea to ask your client to complete this worksheet at the beginning of their treatment, and then again after a certain period of time has elapsed. Comparing these two worksheets, you can assess your client’s progress and identify any goals they have achieved or improvements they have made. Access to this data is useful for your clients, as they will be able to visualize their own achievement, but also for you, as you can assess whether your current treatment methods are effective.

Achieve desired clinical outcomes

Ultimately, this worksheet will help your clients achieve their desired clinical outcomes. With an effective treatment plan, engaging sessions, and well-informed interventions, you will be able to improve your client’s communication skills and help them focus on developing a good communication style.