Coping and regulation

Grounding Skills worksheet

Practice sensory, movement, breathing, and orienting strategies that can support present-moment awareness.

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Purpose

What this handout is designed to support.

Grounding is intended to increase contact with the present environment. A skill that increases distress should be stopped or adapted.

How to use it

  • Choose an external or movement-based option if breath focus is uncomfortable
  • Practice when moderately calm so the steps are familiar
  • Notice what changes before and after the skill
  • Use crisis or emergency services when grounding is not enough to maintain safety

Related counseling information

Connect the worksheet to a larger plan.

Worksheets are most useful when they support a clear goal and are adapted to the person using them.

Trauma and grief counseling

Clinical review: Travis McKie-Voerste, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS · Reviewed August 4, 2026