Therapist’s Overview

STOP AND THINK

GOALS OF THE EXERCISE

1. Decrease behavioral difficulties.

2. Improve problem-solving skills.
3. Reduce impulsive behavior.

ADDITIONAL HOMEWORK THAT MAY BE APPLICABLE TO

ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

• Anger Management Anger Control Page 31

• Anger Management Anger Management Page 36
• Anger Management Solving a Problem Page 40
• Conduct Disorder I’m So Frustrated I Could Page 101
Burst
• Disruptive Behavior Weighing the Options Page 135
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder Improved Communication Page 200
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder Conflict Resolution Page 212

ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS FOR WHICH THIS EXERCISE MAY BE USEFUL

• Anger Management
• Conduct Disorder
• Enuresis
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder

SUGGESTIONS FOR PROCESSING THIS EXERCISE WITH CLIENT

This assignment is designed for children who frequently act impulsively and have poor problem-
solving skills. The goal of this assignment is to help the client consider alternatives and develop
problem-solving skills.

The first step in this assignment requires the child to answer questions about times when his/her
behavior was out of control. This assignment will help the child begin to recognize precipitants
of disruptive behavior. As part of this assignment the child will also begin to recognize
consequences of impulsive behavior.
 Therapist’s Overview

The second part of this assignment can be completed in the therapy session. Using the previous
worksheets, identify one problem on which to focus in the session. The child will begin to
identify alternatives and consequences of each alternative, and develop problem-solving skills.

When completing the problem-solving worksheet, write the problem in the space provided at the
top of the page. Encourage the child to identify all possible alternatives (both positive and
negative). The consequences of each alternative are listed on the lines. Then the child will need
to choose the best solution to the problem.
 EXERCISE V.D

STOP AND THINK

Think of one time when you lost control.

What happened before you lost control?

What happened that you lost control?

How did you react? What did you do?

How did your family react?

How did your friends react?

How did you feel later that day?

What else could you have done?

How did you regain control?

 EXERCISE V.D

Problem:

Consequences of each
Alternatives alternative

1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.

6. 6.

7. 7.

What is the best choice?