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Strengths & Qualities Record

Build a catalogue of your strengths, qualities, and achievements — evidence that doesn't fit the negative bottom line.

Written by Tarun Vermani, Trainee Clinical Psychologist Last reviewed

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Low self-esteem makes it hard to recognise your own strengths. This log asks you to deliberately collect evidence of things you're good at, qualities others value in you, and achievements (however small). Ask trusted people to contribute too.

Live preview — type in any field to try it. Nothing is saved here.

My Strengths & Qualities

#Strength / Quality / AchievementEvidence / ExampleWho Noticed?How Does This Fit My Bottom Line?Actions
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Reflection

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When to use the Strengths & Qualities Record

The Strengths & Qualities Record is an interactive cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) worksheet, most often used in CBT for low self-esteem.

It is designed to be used within therapy rather than as a standalone self-help tool: a therapist introduces it, works through it collaboratively, and helps make sense of what it surfaces. You can preview the full worksheet above, then assign it digitally for clients to complete between sessions on any device — or download it as a print-ready PDF.

How it works

Most people work through it in around 10 minutes. It moves through two short steps:

  1. My Strengths & Qualities
  2. Reflection

Completed on the Formulate platform, your client's answers are saved automatically and shared straight back to you, so you can review them before the next session rather than waiting for a paper copy to come back.

The CBT approach behind it

In common with other CBT methods, the Strengths & Qualities Record works by noticing the links between situations, thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and behaviour — and finding practical ways to change unhelpful patterns. The aim is not positive thinking but a clearer, shared understanding of what keeps a difficulty going — and practical, testable ways to change it.

Because it is a CBT tool it stays focused on the here-and-now links between thoughts, feelings, the body and behaviour, and it works best as one part of a wider course of therapy rather than as advice or a diagnosis.

Evidence & sources

This worksheet is grounded in established cognitive behavioural therapy theory and practice. Key sources include:

  • Fennell, M.J.V. (1997). Low self-esteem: A cognitive perspective. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 25(1), 1-26. doi:10.1017/S1352465800015368
  • Fennell, M.J.V. (2006). Overcoming Low Self-Esteem. London: Robinson.
  • Greenberger, D. & Padesky, C.A. (2016). Mind Over Mood (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.

For use alongside professional support

Formulate provides educational CBT resources for use with a qualified therapist. They are not a substitute for professional assessment, diagnosis, or crisis care.

If you need urgent help now:

  • Emergency services: 999 — if you or someone else is in immediate danger
  • Samaritans: 116 123 — free, day or night, 365 days a year
  • SANEline: 0800 689 5555 — 4:30pm–10:30pm, every day

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A plain-language explainer on why comparing ourselves to others is normal, how it can quietly feed low self-worth, especially on social media, and what helps.

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