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Select the emotions that are present right now*
Select the emotions that are present right now
Start with the family that fits, then the word inside it. Pick as many as you need.
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Awareness & Energy
Emotional Check-in for Coaching
Begin a coaching conversation by noticing what is present. This emotional check-in template helps a client name feelings, describe the situation, and choose the support they want. It is a conversation aid, not a diagnostic assessment.
Try the complete worksheet
Preview entries are temporary. They are not saved or transferred through signup. Download a blank fillable PDF to complete offline.
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What situation is connected to these emotions?*
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What would support you today?*
How to use Emotion Check-in in coaching
- Ask permission to pause and check in. The client can skip a question, choose their own words, or leave an emotion unnamed. Agree on what they want from the conversation.
- Invite the client to select one or more emotions on the wheel. Mixed feelings can coexist; do not require one correct label or infer a diagnosis from a selection.
- Ask what happened, what the client noticed, and what meaning they gave it. Separate observable events from interpretations. Let the client decide how much context to share.
- Explore what support would be useful today. Connect that need to the coaching goal and agree on a small action that fits the client’s resources. If the concern is outside coaching scope, discuss appropriate professional support.
Worked example: a fictional coaching conversation
Fictional example: Sam has been asked to lead a project and wants to speak more confidently in planning meetings. These answers are separate from your preview.
Emotions present
Excited about the opportunity and anxious about being asked a question without knowing the answer.
Situation
At yesterday’s planning meeting, Sam stayed silent after a colleague challenged the timeline.
Support needed
Time to prepare two questions and permission to say, “I will check and come back to you.”
Next action: before Thursday’s meeting, Sam will write two questions and rehearse one response with a trusted colleague. Review what happened at the next session.
Choose a next step with your client
- Ask which feeling or need deserves attention first; do not make the selection for the client.
- Choose one achievable action and a time to try it. A pause, a request for help, or a conversation can be a useful outcome.
- At the next session, ask what changed and what remained difficult. Revisit the check-in without expecting every feeling to improve.
Frequently asked questions
When should I use an emotional check-in?
Use it at the start of a session, before a demanding conversation, or when a client wants to understand their response to an event. Ask whether it feels useful rather than making it compulsory.
Is an emotion wheel a mental health test?
No. Here it is a vocabulary aid for a coaching conversation. It does not diagnose a condition or replace mental health care.
Can I download this worksheet?
Yes. The PDF includes the complete worksheet and your current entries. Preview answers are temporary and are not saved or transferred through signup.
How do I use it with a client?
Select this template, create an account or log in, then choose or add a client. Review the delivery settings before confirming the assignment. Your template selection lasts in the current browser session.
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