Navigator Facilitation Guide Emotional Navigator
6-Week Individual Counseling Facilitation Guide
Target
Students with ADHD or emotional regulation difficulties needing structured support.
Goal
Develop self-awareness, impulse control, and a functional coping skill repertoire.
Duration
Six 30-minute sessions with accompanying activities and visual aids.
Wk Topic Key Objectives Activity / Material 1 Emotion Detective
Identifying Feelings
| Expand emotional vocabulary beyond "mad/sad/glad." Distinguish between intensity levels. | Emotion Map & Intensity Scale Worksheet |
| 2 |
Body Signals
Physical Awareness
| Connect emotions to physical sensations (e.g., tight chest, shaky hands) to spot feelings early. | Body Alarm Visual Aid & Scan Worksheet |
| 3 |
The Brain Brake
Impulse Control
| Practice "Stop, Think, Act" model. Identity high-risk impulse moments during the day. | Stop-Think-Act Response Cards |
| 4 |
Calm Toolkit
Coping Strategies
| Select and practice 3-5 specific "Go-To" strategies. Create a tactile/visual calm deck. | Calm Down Deck (Strategy Cards) |
| 5 |
Story Solutions
Application
| Walk through social stories. Role-play applying strategies to common school triggers. | Social Story Flipbook & Reflection Prompts |
| 6 |
Master Navigator
Review & Graduation
| Review progress. Set future goals. Celebrate wins with a completion certificate/activity. | Growth Path Reflection & Navigator Award |
Facilitation Tips for ADHD
High Interaction: Keep sessions move-heavy. Use the cards and visuals physically.Visual Cues: Always have the "Roadmap" visible to show current progress and what's next.Immediate Feedback: Use positive reinforcement for every small moment of self-awareness.Chunking: If a concept is too large, break it into 5-minute mini-tasks.Externalize: Give feelings names or characters (e.g., "The Fireball" for anger) to reduce shame.Safe Space: Ensure the counseling area is low-distraction but has sensory tools available. Emotion Intensity Map Emotion Intensity Map
Week 1: Becoming an Emotion Detective
Name
Date
The Feelings Thermometer
Detectives know that feelings aren't always the same size. Some are small ripples, and some are giant waves! Label the levels below.
1
Calm
2
Noticeable
3
Strong
4
Bigger
5
Explosion
The Detective's Word List
A detective has many words for feelings. Draw a line or write the words into their "Family" below!
😡 The Anger Family
• Annoyed (Level 1-2)
• Frustrated (Level 3)
• Furious (Level 5)
😢 The Sadness Family
• Disappointed (Level 2)
• Lonely (Level 3)
• Heartbroken (Level 5)
😨 The Fear Family
• Nervous (Level 2)
• Anxious (Level 3)
• Terrified (Level 5)
My "Top 3" feelings this week were:
Body Alarm Scan Body Alarm System
Week 2: Listening to My Body's Messages
Name
The Body Scan
Color the parts of your body that feel "The Alarm" first.
Common Body Signals
1 Hot face or ears (Red Face)
2 Tight chest or fast heartbeat
3 Butterfly or "knotted" stomach
4 Clenched fists or shaky hands
5 Heavy legs or "bouncy" feet
Navigator's Insight
When my body sends these signals, it's my "Early Warning System." It tells me I need to use a strategy BEFORE I lose control.
My "Early Warning" is usually:
Catch the Spark!
If you can catch the feeling while it's just a small spark in your body, it's much easier to blow it out before it becomes a wildfire.
Brain Brake Activity Cards Brain Brake Toolbox
Week 3: The Stop-Think-Act System
Activity Cards
How to use: Cut out these cards. Use them during role-play sessions. When the counselor describes a "High-Impulse Moment," hold up the STOP card first, then talk through the THINK steps, and choose an ACT card.
Phase 1: STOP
FREEZE!
Take one deep breath. Keep your hands at your side. Don't speak yet.
Phase 2: THINK
MAP IT OUT
What is my body telling me? What will happen if I do this? Is there a better way?
Phase 3: ACT
USE WORDS
"I need a break."
Phase 3: ACT
WALK AWAY
Count to 10. Go to a designated calm-down spot. Get a drink of water.
Practice Moments
"Someone cuts in front of you in the lunch line..."
"You lose a game and feel like throwing the controller..."
"The teacher gives a direction you think is unfair..."
"A friend is bothering you while you are trying to work..."
Calm Navigator Deck Calm Navigator Deck
Week 4: Building My Personal Toolbox
The Mission: Try each of these strategies this week. Mark the ones that help you "Drop Anchor" and feel calm. Cut these out and keep them in your pocket, desk, or backpack!
Square Breath
In for 4, Hold for 4, Out for 4, Hold for 4. Repeat until your heart slows down.
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding
Name 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, and 1 you taste.
Wall Pushes
Push against a wall as hard as you can for 10 seconds. Then let your muscles melt.
Fidget Focus
Use a fidget tool or putty. Focus only on the feeling in your hands for 1 minute.
Bravery Mantra
Say: "This feeling is big, but I am bigger. I can handle this challenge."
The Cool Down
Splash cold water on your face or hold a cold bottle against your wrists.
Starfish Stretch
Reach your arms and legs out as far as they can go. Hold. Then curl into a ball.
Wait 60
Watch a clock or timer for 60 seconds. Don't do anything else. Just watch the time.
My Navigator Favorites:
Strategy #1:
Strategy #2:
Navigator Story Maps Navigator Story Maps
Week 5: Writing My Success Stories
Pick a scenario below. Use your Detecting , Body Signal , and Coping skills to finish the story!
Scenario 1
The Losing Streak
"You are playing a game at recess. Your team is losing, and a friend makes a joke about it. You feel your face getting hot and your chest getting tight..."
My Story Action:
Example: I use my Brain Brake (STOP). I tell myself it's just a game.
My Winning Ending:
Example: I take a deep breath and keep playing. I stay in the game!
Scenario 2
The Brain Block
"The teacher hands out a math worksheet. You look at the first problem and have no idea what to do. You feel your hands clenching into fists..."
My Story Action:
My Winning Ending:
My Own Map
My "Tricky" Moment
Describe a time this week that was hard for you.
The Navigation Step:
The Success Finale:
Growth Navigator Reflection Master Navigator Status
Week 6: Reviewing My Journey & Looking Ahead
Looking Back
My Biggest "Level 5" Challenge was:
Describe it here...
The most helpful Body Signal for me is:
Example: My face feeling hot
My #1 Go-To Calm Strategy is:
Example: Deep Breathing
Navigating the Future
Even though our 6 weeks are done, you have all the tools in your backpack. When things get tricky next week, what is your plan?
When I feel "The Spark", I will:
Current Status
EXPERT NAVIGATOR
The Navigator's Pledge
"I am the Captain of my own brain. I will watch for my signals, I will use my brakes, and I will choose my course. I am in control of ME."
Master Navigator Signature
Counselor Signature
