Clinician Facilitation Guide ERMHS 1:1 Counseling • 30-Min Session Protocol
Circles Regulation Facilitation Guide
Format: 30 Mins / Session
8-Week Monitoring Cycle
Verbatim ERMHS IEP Goal Target (4/5 Trials over 8 Weeks): "When provided with instruction through the Circles social skills curriculum and access to taught emotional-regulation strategies (e.g. asking for a break, deep breathing, writing/typing feelings, or seeking help appropriately etc.) and prompting as needed, student will improve her emotional regulation skills at work by using an appropriate strategy in response to feelings of stress or frustration in 4/5 trials as measured by the frequency of successful strategy use within an 8-week period."
0–5 MINCheck-in & 1–5 Scale
5–18 MINCircles & Strategy Teach
18–26 MINWork Scenario Rehearsal
26–30 MINData Probe & Cool-down
SESSION 1 • 30 MIN
Purple Circle: Recognizing Stress & Deep Breathing at Work
Focus: Strategy 1 (Deep Breathing)
Target Skill
Identify Purple Circle (Self) body cues when stressed (Level 3–4); practice 4-4-4 box breath.
Workplace Scenario
Student feels rushed on a packaging task $\rightarrow$ Pauses hands, takes 3 deep box breaths.
Prompt Hierarchy
Record prompt level (IND, VIS, VRB, MOD) on IEP trial log during simulated work stressor.
Clinician Script: "In the Purple Circle, you are in charge of your body. When work feels stressful and your thermometer climbs to Level 3 or 4, we don't shut down. We use Strategy #1: 4-count breathing to reset our brain."
SESSION 2 • 30 MIN
Blue/Green Circles: Co-Regulation & Writing/Typing Feelings
Focus: Strategy 2 (Writing/Typing)
Target Skill
Express frustration safely by typing a feelings note or checking a visual feelings card.
Workplace Scenario
Student feels overwhelmed before shift $\rightarrow$ Types note to support staff: "I feel Level 3 nervous."
Prompt Hierarchy
Evaluate if student independently initiates typing/writing feelings in response to prompt.
Clinician Script: "When you have big feelings at work, you don't have to keep them inside. We can type or write our feelings on a note or phone to share with our trusted support team."
Circles Regulation Path • ERMHS Clinician Guide Page 1 of 3
30-Minute Vocational Counseling Protocol
Sessions 3 & 4 Facilitation Plans
Yellow: Break Script Orange: Seeking Help
SESSION 3 • 30 MIN
Yellow Circle: Asking for a Break & Peer Boundaries at Work
Focus: Strategy 3 (Asking for Break)
Target Skill
Maintain 3-ft coworker boundary; present functional Break Card when peer causes frustration.
Workplace Scenario
Coworker talks loudly or stands too close $\rightarrow$ Student shows Break Card: "I need 2 min quiet."
Data Collection
Probe: Student chooses Break Card over verbal yelling across 2 trial simulations.
Clinician Script & 30-Min Timing Breakdown:
"Coworkers are Yellow Circle. When a coworker annoys you, your thermometer might go up. Instead of reacting, you use Strategy #3: Hand your supervisor your Break Card or say 'I need a 2-minute reset, please.'"
[0-5m Thermometer] [5-15m 3-ft Bubble & Break Rules] [15-25m Roleplay Trial 1 & 2] [25-30m Trial Log]
SESSION 4 • 30 MIN
Orange/Red Circles: Appropriately Seeking Help from Supervisors
Focus: Strategy 4 (Seeking Help)
Target Skill
Identify Orange job coach/supervisor; approach calmly with script: "Excuse me, I need help."
Workplace Scenario
Student cannot find vocational supplies $\rightarrow$ Approaches supervisor with badge instead of shutting down.
Red Stranger Rule
Distinguish unknown visitors at job site: Stop $\rightarrow$ Step back $\rightarrow$ Inform supervisor.
Clinician Script: "Orange Circle people are helpers whose job is to support you. When you are stuck or confused at work, you use Strategy #4: Walk to your supervisor, wait for eye contact, and say 'I need help with this task.'"
Taught Emotional Regulation Strategy Matrix (IEP Mandated):
1. Deep Breathing
2. Typing/Writing
3. Asking for Break
4. Seeking Help
Circles Regulation Path • ERMHS Clinician Guide Page 2 of 3
30-Minute Synthesis & Data Protocols
Session 5 Synthesis & 8-Week IEP Tracking
Target: 4/5 Trials (80%)
SESSION 5 • 30 MIN
Synthesis: Vocational Strategy Selection & Final Data Probes
Cumulative 5-Trial Probe
30-Min Structure
5m Check-in $\rightarrow$ 15m 5-Scenario Probes $\rightarrow$ 7m Wallet Tool Assembly $\rightarrow$ 3m Wrap-up.
Target Mastery
Student independently or with visual cue selects correct strategy in 4 out of 5 simulated workplace trials.
Vocational Tool
Laminated wallet regulation card provided to transition job coach for weekly generalization.
Clinician Script: "Today is your Capstone challenge! You will show me how you use all 4 strategies at work: breathing, typing feelings, taking a break, and asking your job coach for help. Let's practice all 5 work situations!"
8-Week IEP Data Collection Protocol for Job Coaches & Counselors
Weekly Trial Log: Record 1–2 naturally occurring or simulated work stressors per week (total $\ge$ 5 trials over 8 weeks).
Successful Trial (+): Student utilizes at least 1 taught strategy (break, breathing, typing, help) within 60s of frustration onset.
IEP Goal Criterion: Achieve positive (+) strategy use in 4 out of 5 opportunities ($80\%$) with prompt level at VIS or IND.
In-Session & Workplace De-escalation: Prompt: "Check thermometer $\rightarrow$ Hand Break Card $\rightarrow$ 3 Breaths"
If student reaches Level 4/5 during sessions, immediately cease cognitive demand, present visual break card silently, provide 3-foot space bubble, and model 4-count breathing. Document prompt level on IEP progress rubric.
Circles Regulation Path • ERMHS Clinician Guide Page 3 of 3
Purple Circle Self Power Worksheet Session 1 Activity Sheet
Purple Circle: My Body, My Power
Name:
Date:
ME!
The Purple Circle Rule:
"I am in charge of my body, my choices, and my feelings. I have the right to feel safe and calm."
Step 1: Check My Body Signals (Circle all that match you today)
Calm Heart Beating slow
Fast Heart Thumping fast
Relaxed Muscles Loose shoulders
Tight Muscles Fists / Clenched jaw
Step 2: Rate My Emotional Thermometer (Color in or check your level)
1 Calm Feeling peaceful & ready
2 Good Okay, working quietly
3 Nervous Restless, need a break
4 Very Upset Frustrated, angry
5 Exploding Out of control
Step 3: Practice My 4-Count Box Breath (Trace the box with your finger)
$\uparrow$ 1. BREATHE IN (4 SEC) $\rightarrow$
$\uparrow$ 4. PAUSE (4 SEC) 2. HOLD AIR (4 SEC) $\downarrow$
$\leftarrow$ 3. BREATHE OUT (4 SEC) $\downarrow$
Circles Regulation Path • Session 1 Student Worksheet Purple Circle Mastery
Circles Boundary Anchor Charts Visual Anchor Chart 1 • Social Boundaries
The 6 Relationship Circles
Keep in Counseling Binder
Touch • Talk • Trust Rules
#1 Self
Circle & Who PURPLE CIRCLE
Touch Rule I decide who touches my body.
Talk Rule Private thoughts, journal, self-talk.
Trust Rule I trust my instincts & body cues.
#2 Family
Circle & Who BLUE CIRCLE
Touch Rule Hugs & kisses (Always ask first).
Talk Rule Deep feelings, personal life, family news.
Trust Rule High trust for daily care & safety.
#3 Friends
Circle & Who GREEN CIRCLE
Touch Rule High-fives, fist bumps, side hugs.
Talk Rule Hobbies, movies, shared fun topics.
Trust Rule Mutual trust built over long time.
#4 Peers
Circle & Who YELLOW CIRCLE
Touch Rule Wave, handshake, fist bump. (3 ft space)
Talk Rule Work tasks, weather, polite hello.
Trust Rule Polite trust; keep private details secret.
#5 Helpers
Circle & Who ORANGE CIRCLE
Touch Rule Professional only (Doctor exam / Handshake).
Talk Rule Asking for help, instructions, health.
Trust Rule Trust for professional job duties only.
#6 Stranger
Circle & Who RED CIRCLE
Touch Rule NO TOUCH. Step back.
Talk Rule No personal info. Say "No thanks".
Trust Rule ZERO TRUST. Stay safe.
The Golden Circles Rule: The closer to the center, the more touch, talk, and trust you share!
Page 1 of 3
Visual Anchor Chart 2 • Self-Regulation
1–5 Emotional Thermometer
Internal Body Check
Calm to Crisis Tools
5
EXPLODING Out of Control
Body: Yelling, crying, tense fists, red face.
Calming Action: Hands to self, sit down immediately, quiet safe space, 5 min reset.
4
VERY UPSET Frustrated / Angry
Body: Heavy breathing, tight chest, pacing.
Calming Action: Show Break Card to staff, take a drink of water, squeeze stress ball 10x.
3
Bonds and Boundaries Worksheet Session 2 Activity Sheet
Blue & Green Circles: Family & Friends
Name:
Date:
#2
BLUE CIRCLE: FAMILY
Parents, guardians, brothers, sisters. We share hugs (ask first!) and deep feelings.
#3
GREEN CIRCLE: FRIENDS
Close friends you know well. We share high-fives, games, and fun hobbies.
Activity 1: Circle Which Touch is Appropriate (Blue or Green)
🤗
Giving a gentle hug before bedtime Who is this safe with?
BLUE (Family) GREEN (Friend)
👊
Giving a fist bump after winning a game Who is this safe with?
BLUE (Family) GREEN (Friend)
💬
Talking about favorite video games / movies Who is this safe with?
BLUE (Family) BOTH Blue & Green
Activity 2: My Co-Regulation Support Person
When your body is at Level 3 or 4, a trusted Blue or Green person can help you calm down.
1. My trusted Blue person is:
2. My trusted Green person is:
Co-Regulation Script to Practice: "I am feeling at Level 3. Can you sit with me for 2 minutes while I breathe?"
Circles Regulation Path • Session 2 Student Worksheet Blue & Green Circle Connections
Workplace Space Worksheet Session 3 Activity Sheet
Yellow Circle: Workplace & Peers
Name:
Date:
#4
The Yellow Circle Workplace Rule:
"Coworkers and classmates are in my Yellow Circle. We keep a 3-foot space bubble, use polite greetings, and talk about work tasks."
Step 1: Check Your Personal Space Bubble (Reach 1 arm out)
YES: Safe Workplace Touch
• Wave and say "Good morning"
NO: Not for Coworkers
• Hugging or kissing
Step 2: Topic Filter (Check "OK for Work" or "Keep Private")
1. "Did you finish sorting the inventory boxes?"
OK FOR WORK KEEP PRIVATE
2. "Here is my house key and phone password."
OK FOR WORK KEEP PRIVATE
3. "It looks sunny outside during our lunch break."
OK FOR WORK KEEP PRIVATE
Step 3: What to Do If a Coworker Annoy You (Level 3 Practice)
Script 1 (Ask for space): "Excuse me, please step back. I need my workspace."
Script 2 (Ask job coach for reset): "I feel my thermometer at Level 3. May I get a cup of water?"
Circles Regulation Path • Session 3 Student Worksheet Yellow Circle Workplace Boundaries
Safety and Helpers Worksheet Session 4 Activity Sheet
Orange Helpers & Red Strangers
Name:
Date:
#5
ORANGE CIRCLE: HELPERS
People with a job to help us (Police, Doctor, Bus Driver, Job Coach). We ask them for help.
#6
RED CIRCLE: STRANGERS
People we DO NOT know. We never go with them, share secrets, or accept rides.
Step 1: Identify Orange Helpers by Uniform or Badge
Bus Driver In city uniform / driving bus
Job Coach / Staff Wearing school/agency ID badge
Doctor / Nurse At clinic with medical ID
Step 2: The 3-Step Stranger Safety Rule (Practice aloud)
1 STOP
Do not answer personal questions.
2 STEP BACK
Keep a wide 5-foot distance.
3 TELL A HELPER
Go immediately to staff/police.
Step 3: Fill in My Emergency Contact Script
"My full name is:
"
"Please contact my transition supervisor at:
"
Circles Regulation Path • Session 4 Student Worksheet Orange Helpers & Red Stranger Safety
Boundary Navigator Portfolio Worksheet Session 5 Capstone Portfolio
My Master Boundary Navigator
Name:
Date:
Congratulations! You have learned all 6 Circles of boundaries and how to keep your body calm. Review your master map below and write the names of your real-life support network.
1
PURPLE: ME
In charge of my own body, feelings, and 1-5 thermometer.
My Power Circle
2
BLUE: FAMILY
Parents, guardians, close relatives. (Hugs with permission).
Name: _____________
3
GREEN: FRIENDS
Close friends. (High-fives, shared fun, hobbies).
Name: _____________
4
YELLOW: PEERS
Classmates & coworkers. (3-foot space, work talk only).
Site: ______________
5
ORANGE: HELPERS
Job coach, counselor, police, bus driver, doctor.
Coach: ____________
6
RED: STRANGER
Unknown people. (NO touch, NO private details, step back).
Safety Rule: STOP!
My Daily Regulation Commitment:
"When I feel my thermometer rising to Level 3 or 4, I will use my Break Card, breathe deeply, and keep my body in the calm zone."
Circles Regulation Path • Session 5 Portfolio Page 1 of 2
Session 5 Mastery Scenarios
Transition Boundary Challenge
5 Scenario Probes
1. At your vocational job site, a coworker stands right next to your shoulder while you fold boxes. Yellow Circle
Step back 1 arm's length & say: "Excuse me, I need my 3-foot space."
Push them away and yell loudly.
2. At the public transit bus stop, a stranger asks you for your home address and phone number. Red Circle
Say "No thanks", step back 5 feet, and stand near the bus driver/staff.
Write down your address on a piece of paper for them.
3. During adult transition class, you feel frustrated with an assignment (Thermometer Level 4). Purple Circle
Show your Break Card to staff and do 4-count box breathing for 2 min.
Tear up the worksheet and storm out of the classroom.
4. You arrive home and want to greet your parent or guardian after a long day. Blue Circle
Ask: "Can I give you a hug?" and share how your day went.
Ignore them and hide in the closet.
Certified Boundary Navigator
Successfully completed all 5 ERMHS Circles Regulation Sessions!
ERMHS Progress Monitoring Rubric ERMHS Clinical Progress Monitoring (30-Min Sessions)
IEP Emotion-Regulation Tracking Rubric
Goal Criterion: 4/5 Trials (80%)
8-Week Monitoring Period
IEP Goal Target: "When provided with instruction through the Circles social skills curriculum and access to taught emotional-regulation strategies (e.g. asking for a break, deep breathing, writing/typing feelings, or seeking help appropriately etc.) and prompting as needed, student will improve her emotional regulation skills at work by using an appropriate strategy in response to feelings of stress or frustration in 4/5 trials as measured by the frequency of successful strategy use within an 8-week period."
Student:
Vocational Site:
Clinician:
Session Length:
30 Minutes
Prompting Key: IND = Independent VIS = Visual Cue VRB = Verbal Prompt MOD = Clinician Model (+) Success / (-) Refusal
Taught Workplace Regulation Strategy Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 8-Wk Total 1. Asking for a Break: Presents Break Card / requests 2-min calm space at work.___ / 5 (+) 2. Deep Breathing: Executes 4-4-4 box breathing in response to stress.___ / 5 (+) 3. Writing/Typing Feelings: Notes feelings on app, phone, or communication strip.___ / 5 (+) 4. Seeking Help Appropriately: Approaches Orange supervisor/job coach calmly.___ / 5 (+) Cumulative IEP Goal Outcome: Total Successful Trials: / 5 Trials (Goal: 4/5) Met: [ ] Yes [ ] No
Clinical & Vocational Generalization Notes (Job Site Feedback)
Record work triggers (e.g. coworker crowding, supervisor critique, packaging task delay), prompt level required, and student latency to calm state...
Circles Regulation Path • ERMHS Progress Monitoring Page 1 of 2
Clinical Rubric & Self-Advocacy Rating
Counseling Session Calendar ERMHS Service Schedule • Adult Transition
Counseling & Progress Monitoring Calendar
Span: 09/03/26 – 11/08/26
30-Min Sessions • 5 Trials
Program Kickoff
September 3, 2026
Baseline & Session 1
Progress Report Due
October 20, 2026
ERMHS Goal Progress Entry
Annual IEP Date
November 8, 2026
Annual Goal Review
Week / Date Session Topic & Service Activity Workplace Strategy Focus Data Probe W1: 09/03 – 09/04 Session 1 (30m): Purple Circle & 1-5 ThermometerStrategy 1: 4-4-4 Box Breathing Baseline W2: 09/07 – 09/11 Session 2 (30m): Blue & Green Circles (Support Network)Strategy 2: Writing/Typing Feelings Trial 1 Probe W3: 09/14 – 09/18 Job Site Check-in: Vocational Strategy GeneralizationBreathing & Feelings Note Rehearsal Coach Obs W4: 09/21 – 09/25 Session 3 (30m): Yellow Circle (Coworker Space Bubble)Strategy 3: Presenting Break Card Trial 2 Probe W5: 09/28 – 10/02 Vocational Site Maintenance: 3-Foot Boundary ReinforcementWorkplace Break Pass Utilization Coach Obs W6: 10/05 – 10/09 Session 4 (30m): Orange Helpers & Red StrangersStrategy 4: Supervisor Help Script Trial 3 Probe W7: 10/12 – 10/16 Pre-Progress Data Audit: Compile Trial Logs 1–3Workplace Help-Seeking Trial Trial 4 Probe W8: 10/19 – 10/23 ★ DUE: 10/20/2026 (Progress Report) Session 5 (30m): Boundary Navigator Synthesis Full 4-Strategy Selection Trial Trial 5 Probe W9: 10/26 – 10/30 Post-Curriculum Generalization: Job Site Fidelity CheckIndependent Strategy Application Mastery Data W10: 11/02 – 11/08 ★ ANNUAL IEP MEETING: 11/08/2026 Present 8-Week ERMHS Goal Progress & Data Summary
