Assert Yourself! – Improve your Assertiveness

Being assertive is an important communication skill which can reduce your levels of depression and anxiety and improve your self-esteem. This programme is designed to provide you with some information about assertiveness – what it is, what stops us from being assertive and how to become more assertive. It is organised into modules that are designed to be worked through in sequence.  We recommend that you complete one module before going on to the next.  Each module includes information, worksheets, and suggested exercises or activities.

Programme

Module 1: What is assertiveness?This module introduces the concept of assertiveness, describes some myths about assertiveness, identifies reasons why we become unassertive, looks at the effects of not being assertive, and also what factors stop us from being assertive. It also gives you the chance to assess how assertive you are in a range of situations.

Module 2: How to recognise assertive behaviour This module shows you how to recognise the differences between passive, aggressive and assertive communication and introduces the verbal and non-verbal characteristics of each communication style.

Module 3: How to think more assertively. This module introduces the concept that it is how we think that can stop us from being assertive. It identifies a number of unhelpful thoughts, and then gives the more assertive counterpart to this thought. It then introduces two techniques for changing your unhelpful thinking: thought diaries and behavioural experiments..

Module 4: How to behave more assertively. This module introduces a number of techniques designed to help you become more assertive.

Module 5: Reducing physical tension. This module helps you to identify areas of physical tension in your body and introduces a number of techniques designed to help you reduce this tension and become more relaxed.

Module 6: How to say “no” assertively. This module examines the effects of not being able to say “no”. It identifies a number of unhelpful thoughts that may make it difficult for you to say “no” and helps you come up with a more helpful thinking style. It then introduces a number of ways to say “no”.

Module 7: How to deal assertively with criticism. This module identifies the different types of criticism and why we may have trouble responding well to criticism. It looks at the underlying beliefs which may stop us from being able to deal with criticism and helps you come up with a more helpful thinking style. It then gives some tips for dealing with criticism and also for giving constructive criticism.

Module 8: How to deal with disappointment assertively. This module helps you identify how you deal with disappointment and examine the unhelpful thinking that may be making it difficult for you to deal with disappointment. It then helps you come up with a more helpful thinking style to deal more assertively with disappointment.

Module 9: How to give and receive compliments assertively. This module helps you identify whether you receive compliments in an assertive way or not. It then helps you identify any unhelpful thinking that may be preventing you from being assertive in receiving compliments and helps you to come up with a more helpful thinking style. It then provides steps for receiving compliments and also for giving compliments.

Module 10: Putting it all together. This module summarises the skills you have learnt so far. It then helps you build a hierarchy of challenges to help you practice to become more assertive. It provides a worksheet to help you work through the challenges you set for yourself. Finally it gives you a chance to reassess yourself to see if you have become more assertive

What next?

If you think that I can help you, please contact me to arrange a screening. Then I can advise you what the best course of action for you is.

If you are a GP Surgery or a treatment or service provider, I will come to your facility and discuss how we can improve your service and your outcomes.