Triggers and cravings worksheet (pdf)

Download Worksheet

Download

What is the theory behind the worksheet?

This exercise relies on the core beliefs approach proposed by James & Barton (2004), which assumes that behavior is influenced by implicit negative schemas about ourselves.

How will this worksheet help

This worksheet will help you identify the most important cravings of yours and how to develop behaviors that help you manage them.

How to use the worksheet

The exercise Responding to Triggers is used to bring awareness to the cravings, urges, thoughts and feelings that arise when faced with the desired food item while also making a distinction between problem-solving in the external world versus the futility of the control agenda with internal experiences. 

This exercise is used in groups. Make sure to provide each group member with paper and pens so they can record their thoughts, feelings, and cravings during the activity.

First, bring the desired food and put it into a bowl. Now go around the room with the desired food and let each group member see and smell it. Ask group members what thoughts, feelings and cravings they experience with the food item in front of them and tell them to note them down on paper. Ask them to share some examples and as they do so, label the examples as thoughts, emotions, or cravings so the clients can understand the distinctions between them. 

Then use the following script to explore different ways of relating to cravings, ultimately using the metaphor of wave to help participants consider the possibility of just experiencing cravings as they rise and fall without acting on them: 

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

References

1.-

James, I. A., & Barton, S. (2004). Changing core beliefs with the continuum technique. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 32(4), 431-442.