Mental Health Support

A 30-minute interactive lesson for middle schoolers to identify and challenge common cognitive distortions using a tech-inspired 'Brain Glitch' theme.

A high-flying lesson for 4th and 5th graders to master test-day anxiety using aviation-themed self-regulation strategies. Students learn to navigate their 'mental cockpit' and follow a 'pre-flight checklist' of breathing and focus techniques.

A 4th-5th grade lesson using aviation metaphors to teach self-regulation and focus techniques for managing test anxiety. Students develop a 'pre-flight checklist' of breathing and mindfulness exercises to stay in control of their 'mental cockpit' during high-pressure assessments.

Applying SEL skills to future goals beyond the classroom.

Reflecting on progress and celebrating the emotional tools gathered throughout the year.

Real-time regulation techniques to use during high-stakes testing.

Practical planning and study habits that reduce pre-test anxiety.

Understanding the 'optimal' level of stress and how to manage high-pressure situations.

Building the 'focus muscle' through mindfulness exercises and distraction-blocking techniques.

Transforming negative self-talk into a growth mindset to navigate academic challenges.

Learning and practicing specific breathing techniques to bridge the gap between stress and calm.

Identifying personal triggers and the physical sensations of stress before they escalate.

Students begin their journey by identifying their current emotional state and learning the basic vocabulary of self-awareness.

A collection of intake and referral forms for school counseling programs, focused on building a holistic understanding of a student's social-emotional needs through student, teacher, and parent perspectives.

A graduate-level training lesson for school counseling students focused on moving beyond surface-level complaints to identifying core themes and underlying emotional drivers.

A comprehensive lesson designed for middle school students to address test anxiety, specifically the fear of failure. It includes a slide presentation for instruction, a reflective worksheet for reframing thoughts, and a portable 'emergency' strategy card.

A social-emotional learning lesson for Pre-K to 2nd grade that uses the 'Resilient Rabbit' character to teach students how to handle mistakes, manage frustration, and use positive self-talk to try again.

A workshop for grades 7-12 designed to manage test anxiety through cognitive reframing and grounding techniques. Students learn to transform performance pressure into focused energy using the 'Focus Filter' framework.

A foundational lesson for elementary students focused on reframing anxiety as a helpful but sometimes over-eager guard dog. Students learn that avoidance is the true barrier to growth and practice 'opening the door' to build their emotional capacity.

A social skills lesson for kindergarteners focused on identifying and understanding basic emotions through visual cues and interactive play. This lesson helps students build emotional literacy and empathy in an individual counseling setting.

A collection of intake and referral forms for school counseling programs, focused on building a holistic understanding of a student's social-emotional needs through student, teacher, and parent perspectives.

A graduate-level training lesson for school counseling students focused on moving beyond surface-level complaints to identifying core themes and underlying emotional drivers.

A social skills lesson for kindergarteners focused on identifying and understanding basic emotions through visual cues and interactive play. This lesson helps students build emotional literacy and empathy in an individual counseling setting.

A foundational lesson for PK-2 students to identity and regulate emotions using weather metaphors, helping them build self-awareness and self-regulation skills.

Practicing self-advocacy by using 'Toolkit Request' cards to communicate needs and emotions to adults effectively.

Connecting emotions to personal memories using structured 'blueprints' and choice-based storytelling.

Connecting emotions to physical sensations in the body, treating the body as a system of 'sensors' to identify internal states.

Focusing on 'Anxious' or 'Worry' by identifying the 'shaky' or 'busy' feelings using precise visual measurements.

Exploring higher-intensity emotions 'Angry' and 'Scared' through safe, objective descriptions and high-visibility visual supports.

Establishing foundations for identifying 'Happy' and 'Sad' using clear visual scales and organized tool-themed supports.

A clinical session focused on identifying and understanding cognitive schemas, their impact on depression, and their role in substance use recovery. Includes a presentation, matching activity, and reflection worksheet.

A comprehensive lesson for 6th graders on understanding mental health, identifying warning signs, and knowing which trusted adults to turn to for support.

The final ascent. Students complete the post-assessment, review their earned badges, and create a 'Summit Survival Kit' for maintaining their new executive skills.

Breaking the silence. Students develop self-advocacy scripts to ask for help before they are underwater, reframing help-seeking as a strategic power move.

Mastering 'Task Slicing' to prevent overwhelm. Students learn to take massive assignments and cut them into manageable 'slices' that don't trigger the freeze response.

Focuses on 'Behavioral Activation'—the science of doing to feel better. Students build a Daily Activation Planner to spark momentum even when motivation is low.

Students tackle the 'Always/Never' monsters by learning to spot cognitive distortions and filter their thoughts through a lens of evidence-based reality. Introduction of the Thought Record tool.

The journey begins with an assessment of current mental maps and an introduction to the 'Mind-Loop'—the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Students learn to identify how their inner monologue affects their energy.

A comprehensive overview of Somerset ISD's Thrive Center model, transitioning from traditional barriers to a school-embedded mental health support system.

A 20-minute social group lesson for elementary students to identify their emotional 'zone' and select appropriate self-regulation strategies based on the Zones of Regulation framework.

A collection of tools to help students in residential settings prepare for their school day through social-emotional reflection.

This lesson focuses on the intersection of spring cleaning, mental health, and self-advocacy. Students learn the health benefits of a clean environment, safety protocols for cleaning, and how to effectively communicate their needs to caregivers for support and supplies.

A comprehensive resource kit for the 'Neuro Command Academy' 10-week curriculum, including high-impact TPT product pages and standards-aligned guides.

Students focus on self-advocacy, academic persistence, and responsible decision-making through reflection and an outdoor goal-setting race.

Students practice empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution through role-play, movement, and goal-setting for social success.

A workshop focused on understanding personal space, saying "no," and identifying healthy friendship boundaries through sorting and discussion.

Students learn to identify their feelings using a visual scale and develop coping strategies for managing anger and big emotions.

This lesson focuses on supporting family members of individuals with PTSD, featuring insights from Janet Seahorn. Learners will explore the 'ripple effect' of trauma on the family unit and identify practical strategies for both supporting their loved ones and maintaining their own well-being.

Focusing on persistence and tracking progress using Scaling and Small Wins. Students will learn how to maintain momentum and identify what helps them keep a "Win Streak" going at school.

Deep diving into the Miracle Question and preferred future visualization. Students will define concrete, sensory details of what a "better" school day looks like.

Identifying exceptions (times when the problem is less severe) and individual strengths to build confidence and shift focus from what's wrong to what's working.

A sequence of lessons focused on Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) techniques to help students reframe their school experience and identify small, actionable steps toward progress.

A supportive series of 1:1 sessions and tools designed to help a student regain academic momentum after a period of injury and depression, focusing on energy management and low-friction starts.

This session explores the critical role of attendance in academic success, helping students understand the 'cost' of missed days and identifying barriers to being on the 'job site' every day.

The final session covers self-advocacy, how to talk to teachers, and creating a long-term maintenance plan for success.

Focuses on test-taking strategies, managing academic anxiety, and preparing for high-stakes assessments.

An exploration of active study strategies, note-taking methods, and how to 'read' the requirements of different assignments.

Students learn to map out their weekly responsibilities, prioritize tasks using the Eisenhower Matrix, and manage their 'time budget'.

The first session focuses on establishing the 'Academic Architect' metaphor, setting SMART goals, and identifying personal motivators for academic improvement.

This session focuses on physical and digital organization, helping students design a workspace and system that reduces friction and clutter.

A series of activities designed for 1:1 wellbeing sessions to help students navigate peer conflicts and regulate their emotions during high-stress periods like the end of term.

A preschool lesson focused on self-regulation using the 'Body Pilot' metaphor to help children understand and manage their energy levels and emotions.

A comprehensive individual counseling session and set of tools to help a student navigate behavioral challenges through trigger mapping and the establishment of a clear trail-based reward system.

Transitioning from investigation to active problem-solving by learning how to negotiate for 'Win-Win' solutions without exploding when things don't go as planned.

Targets specific conflict resolution skills for navigating the unique dynamics of living with a twin sibling.

Addresses communication barriers with family members, specifically focusing on building a 'bridge' of positive words with Mom.

Focuses on building a personalized 'Cooling Kit' of self-regulation strategies to use when a 'spark' is detected.

Introduction to the 'Spark Detective' theme where the student learns to identify physiological warning signs and external triggers of anger.

A foundational lesson for PK-2 students to identity and regulate emotions using weather metaphors, helping them build self-awareness and self-regulation skills.

Using CBT techniques to build a step-by-step exposure plan for returning to school and reframing anxious thoughts.

Introduction to distress tolerance skills like TIPP and ACCEPTS to manage overwhelming emotions in the moment.

Students learn to identify physical sensations of distress and name their emotions to increase self-awareness.

A therapeutic activity for grades 1-3 focusing on emotional regulation and building a support network through a collaborative yarn-web activity. Students explore how they can support one another and follow group rules to maintain a calm environment.

A 40-minute station-based workshop for 7th graders to identify stress triggers and practice evidence-based coping strategies in a dynamic, 'lab-style' environment.

Provides a framework for resolving conflicts and understanding different perspectives. Students engage in role-play scenarios to practice empathy-driven resolution strategies.

Breaks down the social cues and communication skills needed to build and maintain healthy friendships. Students practice active listening, empathy, and social 'troubleshooting.'

Explores emotional regulation by identifying personal triggers and building a 'calm toolkit.' Students learn to recognize their 'inner weather' patterns and apply appropriate coping strategies.

Focuses on executive functioning and planning skills. Students learn to break down big tasks into manageable 'blueprints' and identify tools to help them stay organized and focused.

A 1:1 session for kindergarteners focusing on personal space ('Body Bubble'), identifying anger triggers, and practicing 'I feel' statements through role-play.

A comprehensive counseling lesson designed to empower 5th-grade students with concrete strategies to manage test anxiety. The lesson uses a 'Brain Training' theme to help students understand the biology of stress and move from 'Anxiety' to 'Excitement' through actionable coping skills.

Synthesizing their learning, students create a 'Break the Glass' emergency plan for days when they feel low or anxious. They select their most effective pleasure and mastery activities and write specific implementation intentions (If I feel X, then I will do Y).

Students apply their learned strategies to help Pippin join the class, reflecting on their journey from feeling stuck to feeling active.

Students discover the mood-boosting power of kindness by practicing simple prosocial actions within the classroom community.

Students select pictures representing activities identified in previous lessons to create a personal visual 'Happy Heart' collage.

Students identify and select three specific, safe actions they can take to build their own mental 'Coping Kit' for difficult days.

Students lead Pippin through 'Action Experiments' like stretching and singing to see how small movements can create big shifts in mood.

Focusing on calm happiness, students explore textures, smells, and sounds to identify sensory inputs that help them feel safe and content.

Students meet Pippin the Penguin, a puppet who feels 'stuck' and grumpy, to explore the connection between feelings and physical stillness.

Students move outdoors or to an open space to test how physical movement affects their mood, identifying activities that generate positive energy.

Children actively sort through classroom items to decide which ones bring them the most joy, focusing on making choices based on internal preference.

Students explore the physical sensations of happiness through mirror play and storytelling, learning to identify how their bodies and faces look when they feel joyful.

Students synthesize their learning by creating a personal 'Activation Plan' to use when they feel stuck or unmotivated.

Students learn and practice 'Opposite Action,' doing the reverse of what a negative emotion suggests to shift their mood.

Students identify emotional barriers ('The Wall') and practice breaking large tasks into 'Ladders' or small, manageable steps.

Students conduct a personal experiment to gather evidence on how a short burst of activity affects their energy and mood levels.

Students learn the basic concept that thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected, using a loop diagram to understand how actions can change emotional states.

Students review the results of their personal experiments or case study data to identify patterns in how specific activities impact mood. They discuss the variability of results (what works for one person may not work for another) and begin curating their personal 'top hits' for mood improvement.

A final reflection and celebration session where students share their progress, discuss the impact of their new habits, and receive recognition for their efforts.

Students become 'Time Detectives' to identify opportunities in their daily lives to fit in short, high-impact positive activities.

Students gamify their positive habits by creating and participating in a class-wide bingo challenge focused on daily small wins.

Behavioral strategies to enhance patient adherence to medical regimens and chronic illness management.

Exploring the bidirectional link between chronic pain and emotion regulation using a DBT lens.

Clinical approaches to treating sleep-related trauma and emotional avoidance through nightmare exposure and rescripting.

Integration of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) protocols within a DBT framework to improve sleep efficiency.

Students master the tools for comprehensive sleep assessment and learn to differentiate between behavioral insomnia and medical sleep disorders.

The sequence concludes with students designing a 'Community Care Agreement' to establish norms for mutual support and collective rest in their own communities.

This lesson teaches specific bystander intervention strategies to bridge the gap between noticing distress and connecting a peer to resources.

Students learn to identify subtle behavioral and non-verbal signs of distress in their peers and practice gentle intervention strategies.

A workshop focusing on the listening skills required to support peers, emphasizing validation over immediate problem-solving.

Students define psychological safety and analyze its impact on team performance, using Google's 'Project Aristotle' as a primary case study.

Empowering students to identify and communicate their personal triggers using a 'remote control' metaphor.

Connecting the five senses to memories and emotional responses.

A puppet-led exploration of how past memories can influence present feelings about safe objects.

Introducing the concept of 'triggers' through startle responses and sudden surprises.

Students explore simple cause-and-effect scenarios to understand that feelings have specific origins.

Students take turns facilitating a 15-minute segment of a support group based on a provided theme (e.g., academic stress, grief). Peers and the instructor provide structured feedback on their facilitation style and group management.

Students learn how to de-escalate conflict between group members and identify red flags for immediate crisis intervention (e.g., suicide risk). They become familiar with referral pathways and university/community resources.

Students practice micro-skills such as paraphrasing, summarizing, and validating emotions. The lesson utilizes 'fishbowl' exercises where students observe and critique peer interactions to refine their empathetic communication style.

This lesson covers the logistics of starting a support group, including creating community agreements and fostering psychological safety. Students learn how to structure a session to ensure equity of voice and predictability.

Students define the scope of peer support, learn about confidentiality, and explore the ethical boundaries between peer support and clinical therapy.

Students take turns facilitating a 15-minute segment of a support group based on a provided theme (e.g., academic stress, grief). Peers and the instructor provide structured feedback on their facilitation style and group management.

Students learn how to de-escalate conflict between group members and identify red flags for immediate crisis intervention (e.g., suicide risk). They become familiar with referral pathways and university/community resources.

Students practice micro-skills such as paraphrasing, summarizing, and validating emotions. The lesson utilizes 'fishbowl' exercises where students observe and critique peer interactions to refine their empathetic communication style.

This lesson covers the logistics of starting a support group, including creating community agreements and fostering psychological safety. Students learn how to structure a session to ensure equity of voice and predictability.

Students define the scope of peer support, learn about confidentiality, and explore the ethical boundaries between peer support and clinical therapy.

Synthesizes learning to create safety plans that incorporate community, spiritual, and family supports. Challenges the standard medical model by validating alternative support systems.

Focusing on the unique pressures faced by international graduate students, this lesson differentiates between adjustment fatigue and clinical crisis. Includes role-plays on visa anxiety and family pressure.

Examines the systemic reasons why specific populations resist professional mental health services, focusing on institutional trust and fears of involuntary hospitalization. Includes intersectional case studies.

Participants engage in identifying how stereotypes regarding race, gender, and ability affect the perception of danger or vulnerability in crisis scenarios. Includes a bias self-audit checklist and review of diagnostic disparity data.

Students explore how different cultures manifest and describe psychological pain, contrasting Western biomedical models with somatic or spiritual expressions. Includes a matching activity on cultural metaphors for depression.

A gentle and inclusive lesson for Grade 3 students to explore diverse family structures and understand how families can change over time, including through divorce. Students will engage with a story and guided discussion to build empathy and resilience.

A foundational lesson designed to help students define grief, identify its various causes, and recognize the diverse emotional, physical, and cognitive reactions it can trigger. This lesson builds empathy and emotional literacy through reading and guided discussion.

This lesson introduces 9th grade students to the concept of grief and loss, focusing on understanding the stages of grief and how individuals cope differently. Through discussions and activities, students will learn to identify and express their emotions in a healthy manner.

This lesson introduces the concept of loss, encompassing not just death but also other life changes, and how these experiences shape us. It is vital for fostering understanding and compassion within the classroom environment. This lesson is designed for a 5th-grade class and will take approximately 40 minutes.

In this culminating workshop, students create a personal emotional dictionary or reference guide. They define complex emotions relevant to their own lives that standard dictionaries might miss.

Students apply their expanded vocabulary to hypothetical scenarios, selecting the most precise label for a character's experience based on context clues rather than surface behaviors.