Sustaining Your Growth Guide Sustaining Your Growth
Relapse Prevention Facilitation Guide
Grade Level
12th Grade
Duration
50 Minutes
Format
Individual (Tier 3)
Objective
Identify triggers & develop CBT strategies.
Why This Lesson Matters
This lesson empowers students with practical strategies to maintain their mental health progress. It helps them proactively address challenges, build resilience, and take control of their long-term well-being by reframing relapse not as failure, but as a manageable part of the growth process.
Preparation Steps
Materials to Print/Prep
My Trigger & Coping Strategy Map (Worksheet)
My Personal Relapse Prevention Plan (Project)
CBT Strategies Application Test (Optional Assessment)
Environment & Tech
Projector for "Building Your Resilience Shield" Slides
Quiet, private space for the individual session
Core Materials
Building Your Resilience Shield Slides
My Trigger & Coping Strategy Map
My Personal Relapse Prevention Plan
CBT Strategies Application Test
Instructional Sequence
1
Introduction: Setting the Stage
5 MIN
Welcome & Check-in: Welcome the student and check in on their emotional state. Recap previous sessions to maintain continuity.
Introduce Relapse Prevention: Define the goal of creating a 'Relapse Prevention Plan.' Framing is key: emphasize that having a plan is a sign of strength and proactive self-care, not an admission of failure.
2
Exploring Triggers with CBT
15 MIN
Review CBT Concepts: Quickly touch on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Slide Deck: Use slides 1-3 of Building Your Resilience Shield to define triggers (situations, thoughts, or feelings that lead to unhelpful patterns).
Worksheet Activity: Distribute the Trigger & Coping Map . Guide the student through identifying personal triggers. Teacher Note: Maintain a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere as students explore vulnerabilities.
3
Developing Coping Strategies
15 MIN
Brainstorming: Shift the focus to the 'resilience shield.' Tools are the active components of the shield.
Slide Deck: Use slides 4-6 to present cognitive restructuring, relaxation, and behavioral activation.
Worksheet Part 2: Help the student match specific strategies to their previously identified triggers. Ensure they are realistic and specific.
4
Building the Prevention Plan
10 MIN
Introduce the Project: Present My Personal Relapse Prevention Plan as their long-term survival guide.
Detailed Planning: Walk through sections: Emergency contacts, support systems, and self-care. This is the synthesis of everything learned so far.
5
Wrap-up & Assessment
5 MIN
Review: Reinforce the importance of the plan. Acknowledge the hard work done today.
Next Steps: Complete the plan as homework. Mention the Application Test will be used in the next check-in or as a review tool.
Closure: End with encouragement and explicit reassurance of your support.
Building Your Resilience Shield Slides Your Resilience Shield
Protecting Your Progress & Navigating Future Challenges
Relapse Prevention Plan
Protecting Your Progress
What is a Resilience Shield?
Today's Goal
Identify your triggers and assemble your shield for long-term success!
Understanding Triggers
Triggers are situations, thoughts, feelings, or people that might lead to old, unhelpful patterns.
Common Examples:
High stress levels
Negative self-talk
Feeling isolated
Specific conflict
Your Mission:
Think of triggers as early warning signs. By noticing them early, you can act before things get worse.
Mapping Triggers
WORK AREA
Look at your [My Trigger & Coping Strategy Map] and think about:
What makes you feel stressed or anxious?
What thoughts lead to negative feelings?
Are there specific places or people?
No judgment, just observation!
Strengthening Your Shield
What are Coping Strategies?
Healthy actions or thoughts that help you respond to triggers instead of just reacting to them.
Cognitive Tools
Changing the way you think.
Behavioral Tools
Changing what you do.
Emotional Tools
Managing how you feel.
Cognitive Strategies
Cognitive Restructuring
Challenging and reframing unhelpful thoughts.
Example: Instead of "I always fail," try "This is a challenge, but I can learn from it."
Positive Self-Talk
Encouraging yourself like you would a best friend.
Mindfulness
Focusing on the now to reduce overthinking.
Ask Yourself:
"How can I 'talk back' to my negative thoughts today?"
Act & Feel Better
Behavioral Activation
Doing positive things even when you don't feel like it.
Going for a walk
Listening to music
Connecting with a friend
Relaxation & Calm
My Trigger & Coping Strategy Map Worksheet My Trigger & Coping Strategy Map
Name:
Date:
This map is a personal tool to help you identify the "warning signs" (triggers) in your life and match them with healthy strategies to keep you moving forward. Be honest and specific—this is for your growth!
Part 1: Identifying My Triggers
Think about situations, thoughts, feelings, or people that lead to unhelpful patterns. What are your specific warning signs?
Trigger #1
THE TRIGGER (Situation/Person/Event):
HOW IT MAKES ME FEEL:
WHAT THOUGHTS COME UP:
Trigger #2
THE TRIGGER (Situation/Person/Event):
HOW IT MAKES ME FEEL:
WHAT THOUGHTS COME UP:
Trigger #3
THE TRIGGER (Situation/Person/Event):
HOW IT MAKES ME FEEL:
WHAT THOUGHTS COME UP:
Trigger #4
THE TRIGGER (Situation/Person/Event):
HOW IT MAKES ME FEEL:
WHAT THOUGHTS COME UP:
Part 2: My Coping Strategies
For each trigger, list 1-2 specific and healthy strategies you can use. Remember our Cognitive (changing thoughts), Behavioral (changing actions), and Emotional (managing feelings) tools.
For Trigger #1:
COPING STRATEGY A:
COPING STRATEGY B:
For Trigger #2:
COPING STRATEGY A:
COPING STRATEGY B:
For Trigger #3:
COPING STRATEGY A:
COPING STRATEGY B:
For Trigger #4:
COPING STRATEGY A:
COPING STRATEGY B:
"Identifying the problem is 50% of the solution. Matching it with a strategy is the other 50%!"
My Personal Relapse Prevention Plan Project My Personal Relapse Prevention Plan
Sustaining My Growth & Navigating My Path
Name:
Date:
1
Early Warning Signs & Triggers
What specific thoughts, feelings, situations, or physical sensations tell you that you might be heading toward old, unhelpful patterns?
Internal Warning Signs
(Thoughts, emotions, physical sensations)
High-Risk Situations
(Places, people, events, times of day)
2
My Personal Coping Strategies
Cognitive (Reframing Thoughts)
WHEN I THINK THIS:
Example: "I'm a failure."
I WILL REFRAME IT TO:
Example: "I'm learning and growing from this."
Behavioral (Immediate Actions)
"When I feel triggered, I will immediately..."
Well-being Maintenance
"Regular habits to keep my shield strong..."
3
My Support Network
Name Relationship Contact / How to reach out
Professional Support
Counselor:
Crisis Line:
988 (National Crisis Line)
Safe Places to Go
Emergency Crisis Plan
If my coping strategies aren't working and I'm in crisis, I will take these immediate steps:
1
Immediate action (e.g., leave the room, call a specific person)
2
Primary Emergency Contact Information
3
I will go to this safe place immediately:
My Growth Affirmation
Write a mantra or short statement that reminds you of your strength and progress.
I commit to my growth and my well-being
CBT Strategies Application Test CBT Strategies Application Test
Score: ____ / 100
Name:
Date:
This assessment is designed to verify your understanding of CBT concepts and how they apply to relapse prevention. Please read each question carefully and provide thoughtful answers.
1 Which of the following best describes a "trigger" in the context of relapse prevention?
A. A positive thought that helps you feel better.
B. A situation, thought, feeling, or person that might lead to old, unhelpful patterns.
C. A coping strategy used to manage stress.
D. A long-term goal for personal growth.
2 Which of the following is an example of a cognitive coping strategy?
A. Going for a run when feeling stressed.
B. Practicing deep breathing exercises.
C. Challenging unhelpful thoughts and reframing them.
D. Calling a friend for support.
3 If you are feeling overwhelmed and your immediate coping strategies are not working, what is a crucial step to include in your emergency plan?
A. Ignore the feelings and hope they go away.
B. Isolate yourself from others.
C. Reach out to a trusted emergency contact or crisis hotline.
D. Blame yourself for feeling overwhelmed.
4 Personal Application: Think about a trigger you identified in your map. Describe the trigger and explain how it typically affects your feelings and thoughts.
5 Strategy Analysis: Describe two different CBT-based coping strategies (one cognitive and one behavioral or emotional) that you could use to manage a specific trigger. Explain how each strategy would help you.
6 Synthesis: Why is it important to have a personalized relapse prevention plan? How does it contribute to your long-term success and well-being?
End of Assessment. "Progress is not linear; it is the commitment to get back on the path that counts."
