TEAMS

Welcome to this week’s installment of Trying It On! This time, we’re exploring the TEAMS format—an organized approach to helping clients process their internal experiences. TEAMS stands for Thoughts, Emotions, Associations, Memories, and Sensations. By breaking experiences into these five categories, clients can gain clarity, step back from overwhelming reactions, and respond in a way that aligns with their values.

Exercise Instructions

Step 1: Introduce the TEAMS Framework
Explain to the client that when we feel stuck or overwhelmed, it’s often because our thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations feel tangled together. The TEAMS worksheet helps separate these elements, making them easier to explore.

You can say:

• “Sometimes when we feel overwhelmed, it can be hard to tell what’s going on inside us. TEAMS gives us a way to unpack those experiences so we can respond more intentionally.”

Step 2: Guide the Client Through TEAMS
Use a recent situation the client experienced as an example. Walk them through each step of the framework:

1. Thoughts

   • Ask: “What thoughts were going through your mind? What was your mind saying about this situation?”

   • Encourage them to write these down without judgment, like an observer recording a conversation.

2. Emotions