Grounding Techniques Log PTSD Worksheet

What is Trauma and PTSD?

Traumatic events, which come in many forms, are deeply disturbing or distressing experiences that overwhelm a person to the point of affecting their ability to cope. Some examples of traumatic events are abuse, violence, natural disasters, accidents, and witnessing traumatic incidents happen to another person.

, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, may develop after a traumatic event. If diagnosed with the disorder, they may experience common symptoms like avoidance of the situation associated with the event, nightmares, adverse changes in thinking patterns and mood, intrusive memories or flashbacks of the event, and hyperarousal or heightened violence. All these symptoms significantly affect a person’s daily function beyond the occurrence of the initial trauma.

Though one can consider the traumatic event as the trigger to the development of PTSD, it’s more complicated than that. Multiple causes of PTSD vary from person to person, even ones witnessing/experiencing the same traumatic event. Some factors that play a role in developing PTSD are brain chemical imbalances, a lack of social support, previous exposure to traumatic events, and a genetic predisposition.

Treatment for PTSD is usually a combination of medication and therapy like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

How to use the Grounding Techniques Log PTSD Worksheet:

Step One: Access and Download the Template

To access and download a digital and printable file of the “Grounding Techniques Log PTSD Worksheet,” do either of the following:

• Click the “Download Template” or “Use Template”
• Search the “Grounding Techniques Log PTSD” Worksheet in Carepatron’s template library’s search bar on the website or the app

Step Two: Equip Your Client

Before the client can fill out the template, you must equip them with a copy of the worksheet and grounding techniques they can practice, especially if they don’t have any. You may also equip your client with ideas on completing the template by showing them our sample template.

Step Three. Complete the Template

As soon as they have a list of grounding techniques and understand how to answer the chart, they may complete the template within the time provided - usually, it’s the days or weeks between sessions.

Step Four. Discuss the Template

When the client comes back for their next session, you may discuss the template with them to figure out the next steps they will take.

Step Five. Securely Store the Template

Since the template carries sensitive information, you must store the completed template at a secure location for physical copies or on Carepatron, a HIPAA-compliant EHR, for digital copies.

When would you use this Grounding Techniques Log PTSD Worksheet?

Psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, and all other licensed and experienced mental health professionals who conduct CBT therapy sessions can use the “Grounding Techniques Log PTSD Worksheet Example” when the client often finds themselves in the hyper or hypo arousal zone. However, we’ll leave it up to you to decide when you will give the template to your clients since you know them best.

What are the benefits of using this Grounding Techniques Log PTSD Worksheet?

Individualized Treatment Plan

With the Grounding Techniques Log PTSD Worksheet, the referring physician will know the client’s willingness to try particular grounding techniques and discern which is effective enough to be used beyond therapy.

Monitor Progress

Though not explicitly stated on the worksheet, it can be used to monitor progress since the client must do specific techniques over some time to see their effectiveness. And if the techniques aren’t effective, the referring physician will also be able to see at what point in the journey they should start.

Digitally Accessible

Our free Grounding Techniques Log PTSD Worksheet isn’t only printable, digitally accessible, customizable, and fillable on any PDF editor or Carepatron. The digital version will make it easier for the client to answer it anytime, anywhere, and for relevant practitioners to access it when needed.