Dragon Slayer Facilitator Guide Plan Dragon Slayer Guide
Facilitator Master Lesson Plan
PROGRAM LENGTH
6 Sessions (30m each)
Quest Overview
Depression can feel overwhelming and isolating. This series empowers students to recognize the patterns of their thoughts and feelings, equipping them with practical tools to improve their mood. By using a "Dragon Slaying" metaphor, we frame the recovery process as an active, empowering quest toward resilience.
Primary Objective
To provide a student with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) based strategies to understand, challenge, and manage depressive symptoms through individualized coaching and skill-building.
Preparation
Review session flow and objectives.
Customize discussion prompts for the student.
Print session-specific worksheets.
Set up the slide deck.
Secure a private, comfortable space.
The Six Sessions
Session 1: Spotting the Dragons 30 MIN
Objective
Identify NATs and the thought-feeling-behavior link.
Flow
5m Warm-Up: Intro CBT as a toolkit. Use Slides 1-2.15m Concept: Define NATs (Quick, unhelpful thoughts). Use examples (e.g., "I'm going to fail").10m Application: Intro Thought Tracker worksheet. Practice one entry together.
Session 2: Taming the Fire 30 MIN
Objective
Cognitive restructuring: challenging unhelpful patterns.
Flow
5m Review: Discuss last week's Thought Tracker entries.15m Concept: Intro Cognitive Distortions (Catastrophizing, All-or-Nothing). Use Slide 4.10m Application: Work through "Challenging Unhelpful Thoughts" worksheet. Question evidence for/against.
Session 3: The Call to Action 30 MIN
Objective
Behavioral activation to lift mood through movement.
Flow
5m Check-in: Review thought re-framing victories.15m Concept: Mood-Action connection. Refer to Slide 5. Brainstorm enjoyable activities using "Behavior Booster Menu".10m Planning: Select 1-2 SMART activities for the week.
Session 4: Inner Treasure 30 MIN
Objective
Foster gratitude and self-compassion to counteract self-criticism.
Flow
5m Warm-Up: Discuss behavioral activation results.15m Concept: Gratitude (noticing good) vs Self-Compassion (kindness to self). Slide 6.10m Application: Brief gratitude exercise. Intro "Gratitude & Self-Compassion Journal".
Session 5: Forge Your Armor 30 MIN
Objective
Build a personalized toolkit of healthy coping mechanisms.
Flow
5m Review: Journaling experiences. Shifts in perspective.15m Concept: Coping skill categories (Relaxation, Distraction, Support). Slide 7.10m Practice: Identify specific skills using worksheet. Practice one (e.g., deep breathing) in-session.
Session 6: The Hero's Map 30 MIN
Objective
Relapse prevention and future wellness planning.
Flow
5m Reflection: Recap progress and most helpful tools.15m Strategy: Identify triggers and warning signs. Proactive strategies.10m Wrap-up: Finalize the "Well-being Plan". Celebrate the quest's completion!
Quest Briefing Slides Defeating Depression's Dragons
Welcome! Today we begin a journey to understand and overcome the challenges of depression using the tools of CBT.
Session 1 & Overview
The Power Cycle
Thoughts
What you think
Feelings
How you feel
Behaviors
What you do
They all influence each other in a continuous cycle. Change one, and you change the others.
Spotting the Dragons: NATs
Negative Automatic Thoughts (NATs) are quick, unhelpful thoughts that pop into your mind.
They feel true, but are often inaccurate.
They focus on the worst-case scenario.
They drain your energy and mood.
Common Examples
"I'm going to fail this test."
"No one understands me."
"There's no point in trying."
Mind Tricks: Cognitive Distortions
Our minds can play tricks, making us see things differently than they really are.
All-or-Nothing
Seeing things in black and white. "If I'm not perfect, I'm a failure."
Catastrophizing
Always assuming the worst will happen. Making mountains out of molehills.
Mind Reading
Assuming you know what others think about you without any proof.
Boosting Mood with Action
When we feel down, we stop doing things. This makes us feel even worse.
The Solution: Action First
Don't wait until you "feel like it." Engagement leads to motivation, not the other way around.
Pleasure Activities
Achievement Activities
Cultivating Inner Strength
Gratitude
Actively noticing and appreciating the good things, big or small. It trains your brain to find light in the dark.
Self-Compassion
Treating yourself with the same kindness you'd give a best friend. Silencing the "inner critic."
"You are worthy of the same kindness you offer others."
Forge Your Armor: Coping Skills
Relaxation
Deep breathing, meditation
Distraction
Hobbies, music, movies
Social Support
Talking to friends/family
Physical
Walking, sports, yoga
Expression
Journaling, art, music
What's your go-to?
Thought Tracker Worksheet S1 Material Dragon Scout: Thought Tracker
Session 1 Activity • Understanding Your World
Name: _________________
Date: _________________
Identifying the Invisible Dragons
This week, your mission is to be a detective. When you feel a sharp change in your mood (sadness, anger, or anxiety), stop and record what just happened. We aren't trying to change anything yet—we're just gathering intel on how your thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected.
The Situation Automatic Thought The Feeling The Behavior Who? Where? What? What popped into your head? Emotion & Intensity (1-10) What did you do? --- --- --- ---
Scout Reflections
1. Looking at your entries, what links do you see between what you thought and how you acted?
2. Are there any "Dragons" (negative thoughts) that seem to appear over and over again?
"Knowledge is the first step toward victory. By spotting the dragons, you take away their power of surprise."
Challenging Unhelpful Thoughts S2 Material Taming the Fire: Thought Challenger
Session 2 Activity • Challenging Cognitive Distortions
Name: _________________
Common "Fire" Patterns
All-or-Nothing: Black and white thinking. ("Perfect or failure.")Catastrophizing: Expecting the worst possible outcome.Mind Reading: Assuming others are thinking negatively of you.Should Statements: Using rigid rules for yourself or others.Labeling: "I am a loser" vs "I made a mistake."
Challenger Questions
• What is the actual evidence that this thought is true?
• What is the evidence that this thought is NOT true?
• Is there a more balanced way of looking at this?
• If a friend had this thought, what would I tell them?
The Negative Thought Evidence FOR the thought Evidence AGAINST the thought A More Balanced Perspective Mood Now (1-10) Ex: "Everyone hates me because I stayed quiet." I felt ignored in the hallway today. Sarah waved to me. I haven't asked anyone's opinion. "I was quiet, but that doesn't mean people hate me. I was just tired." 4/10
After the Battle
1. Was it harder to find evidence "for" or "against" your thought? Why?
2. How did your mood change after writing a more balanced thought?
Behavior Booster Activity S3 Material The Call to Action: Booster Menu
Session 3 Activity • Behavioral Activation
Name: _________________
Depression often tries to keep us indoors and inactive. Behavioral Activation is the act of choosing to move even when we don't feel like it. Use this menu to brainstorm activities that bring you pleasure or a sense of accomplishment.
For Pleasure & Joy
Examples: Listening to music, watching a favorite show, cuddling a pet, reading for fun.
For Accomplishment
Examples: Completing one homework task, cleaning a drawer, organizing notes, physical exercise.
For Social Connection
Examples: Texting a friend, calling a relative, going for a walk with a family member.
Quick Wins (< 10 mins)
Examples: Drinking a cup of tea, stepping outside for air, 5 minutes of stretching.
Your Weekly Commitment
Choose 1-2 items from above. Remember: Action leads to motivation.
Activity 1:
When/Where:
Activity 2:
When/Where:
A potential challenge I might face is... and my plan to overcome it is...
Gratitude Growth Journal S4 Material Inner Treasure: Weekly Journal
Session 4 Activity • Gratitude & Self-Compassion
Name: _________________
Daily Gratitude Tracker
Each day, write down 3 things—no matter how small—that you noticed and appreciated.
M
T
W
T
F
W/E
Compassion Check
How did you talk to yourself during a struggle this week?
If a best friend was in your shoes, what kind words would you tell them?
"Treat yourself as if you were someone you were responsible for helping."
Letter to Myself
Write a short, compassionate message you can read when things get hard.
(e.g., "I am doing my best, and that is enough. I am strong.")
Coping Skill Cards S5 Material Forge Your Armor: Coping Toolkit
Session 5 Activity • Building Personal Coping Skills
Warrior: _________________
Coping skills are your personalized arsenal for managing difficult emotions. Use this page to categorize your favorite tools and then "forge" them into specific strategy cards.
Relaxation
(Breathing, Yoga, Scan)
Distraction
(Movies, Hobbies, Games)
Social
(Friends, Family, Pets)
Physical
(Walk, Dance, Sport)
Expression
(Art, Writing, Music)
Self-Care
(Bath, Sleep, Tea)
My Coping Skill Cards
1
Skill:
When to use it:
How it helps:
2
Skill:
When to use it:
How it helps:
3
Skill:
When to use it:
How it helps:
4
Skill:
When to use it:
How it helps:
Resilience Map Cooldown S6 Material The Hero's Map: My Well-being Plan
Session 6 Activity • Relapse Prevention & Future Planning
Name: _________________
Journey Summary
You've completed the quest! You've learned to spot NATs, tame unhelpful thoughts, activate your mood, and build a coping toolkit. This map is your guide for the road ahead.
Early Warning Signs
How do you know when your mood is starting to dip? (e.g., fatigue, withdrawing, heavy thoughts)
My Support Network
Who are the trusted people you can reach out to for extra support?
Top 3 Coping Tools
Which specific skills from your toolkit work best when you're struggling?
1. ________________________
2. ________________________
3. ________________________
Daily Well-being Practices
What 1-2 habits will you keep to maintain your mood? (e.g., gratitude, walk, deep breathing)
My Resilience Statement
Write a message to your future self about your strength and commitment.
(e.g., "I have the tools to navigate any storm. My mental health is my priority.")
The Quest never truly ends, but you are now a Master Slayer.
