Feelings Vocabulary List
A printable and fillable list of more than 50 emotion words in six families, with a practice table for refining feeling words and linking them to needs.
1-page fillable PDF · US Letter (prints on A4) · Emotion awareness
- Approach / concern
- Universal
- Technique
- Emotion awareness
- Format
- Fillable PDF, 1 page (US Letter / A4)
- Access
- Pro and Advanced plans (3-day free trial)
- For
- Licensed clinicians to use with clients
- Updated
- October 2026
Key facts
What is the Feelings Vocabulary List?
Emotion differentiation, or emotional granularity, is the ability to describe feelings in precise, specific terms. A feelings vocabulary list gives clients words beyond ‘good’, ‘bad’ and ‘stressed’, supporting emotional awareness across many therapy approaches.
Why it works
People who describe negative emotions with greater precision tend to regulate them more effectively and are less likely to turn to maladaptive coping (Kashdan et al., 2015). Constructionist theories of emotion suggest that richer emotion concepts support more flexible responses (Barrett, 2017).
When to use it
- Any therapy where emotion awareness matters
- Alexithymia or difficulty naming feelings
- Couples communication
- Teens and adults building emotional literacy
How to use it in session
- Introduce the six emotion families.
- Ask the client to find words for a recent experience.
- Practise refining a vague word into specific ones.
- Link the feeling to an underlying need.
- Keep the list handy for journaling and thought records.
Clinician tips
- Mixed emotions are normal; encourage naming several.
- Use the list alongside body awareness.
- Adapt vocabulary for children and different cultures.
Worked example
Sharing with clients
Members can download the PDF to print or email, or copy a private client link from the download box. Your client opens the link and downloads the worksheet on any device. No client account is needed, and nothing your client writes is stored on TherapyAid.
Frequently asked questions
Why do precise emotion words matter?
They help you understand what’s happening and what you need, which makes it easier to choose a helpful response.
What if I can’t identify any feeling?
Start with body sensations and general categories (pleasant or unpleasant, energized or tired), then narrow down over time.
References
Barrett, L. F. (2017). How emotions are made: The secret life of the brain. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Kashdan, T. B., Barrett, L. F., & McKnight, P. E. (2015). Unpacking emotion differentiation: Transforming unpleasant experience by perceiving distinctions in negativity. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 24(1), 10-16.
This worksheet is an educational tool for use by, or under the guidance of, a licensed or registered mental-health professional. It is not a diagnostic instrument or a substitute for clinical judgement. If a client is in crisis in Canada, call or text 9-8-8 or call 9-1-1.
