Counselor Facilitation Guide Week 1: The Heavy Lift
Healing Horizons Treatment Plan
Duration 50 Min
Session Objectives
• Establish therapeutic rapport and a safe environment for sharing.
• Introduce the "Grief Backpack" metaphor for identifying losses.
• Identify specific primary and secondary losses.
Counselor Prep
Acknowledge that 14-year-old boys often face social pressure to be "strong" or "stoic." Focus on normalization and physicalizing the abstract concepts of grief through metaphors.
Session Materials
The Heavy Lift Worksheet
Session Slides: The Backpack
Journal or Folder
Session Flow
0-10m
Check-In
Rapport building & confidentiality review.
10-25m
The Metaphor
Introduction to the "Grief Backpack" concept.
25-40m
Active Work
Completing the worksheet and identification.
40-50m
Closing
Self-care plan for the week ahead.
Part 1: The Backpack Metaphor
Explain to the client: "Grief is like being handed a heavy backpack that you never asked for. At first, it's so heavy you can't even stand up straight. Over time, your muscles get stronger and the backpack gets easier to carry, but it never really goes away. We're here to figure out what's inside yours."
Key Discussion Prompts:
If your grief had a weight, how heavy would it feel right now? (e.g., a bowling ball, a piano, a mountain)
What makes the backpack feel heavier on some days?
Who else knows you're carrying this?
Part 2: Identifying Losses
Focus on the distinction between the Primary Loss (the person/thing that died) and Secondary Losses (the things that changed because of the death).
Primary Loss Example
"The death of my grandfather who I saw every weekend."
Secondary Loss Example
"Not having anyone to go to baseball games with anymore."
Part 3: Closing & Containment
The first session can be emotionally draining. Ensure you provide "containment" before the client leaves.
Counselor Note:
Check for immediate safety concerns if the grief is fresh. End with a focus on one positive thing the client will do for themselves this evening.
The Heavy Lift Worksheet The Heavy Lift
Session 1: Understanding Your Backpack
Name:
Date:
Grief isn't a problem to be solved; it's an experience to be carried. Think of your grief as a backpack. Right now, we're just checking out what's inside. There's no right or wrong way to feel.
The Initial Weight
If your grief was a physical object today, what would it be? (e.g., a lead weight, a cloud, a cactus, an anchor)
Sketch or describe the object above
The Primary Loss
Who or what is at the center of this backpack? What is the main loss you are processing?
The Secondary Losses
When we lose something big, we often lose small things too (routines, friendships, places, future plans). List 4 small things that have changed or feel "lost" since then.
1
2
3
4
The Straps (Support)
Who helps you carry this weight? Or, what is one thing (a hobby, a pet, a song) that makes the backpack feel just a little lighter?
Healing Horizons Program Session 1 Worksheet
The Backpack Slides Healing Horizons
THE HEAVY LIFT
Week 1: Navigating the landscape of loss and understanding what we carry.
Session One
Rules of the Road
Privacy
What is shared here stays here (unless there's a safety concern).
No "Wrong" Ways
Grief isn't a test. Angry, sad, numb, or quiet—it's all valid.
"The first step to finding your way is admitting you're a little lost."
The Backpack
Grief is like being handed a heavy backpack.
You didn't ask to carry it.
It's heavy and awkward at first.
You can't just put it down and walk away.
Over time, your muscles get stronger.
What is inside YOUR backpack today?
Types of Cargo
Primary Loss
The main thing that happened. The death of a person, pet, or a major life change.
Example: "My dad passing away."
Secondary Loss
The "ripples" of the loss. The small things that changed because of the big thing.
Example: "Having to move houses," or "Not having anyone to help me with homework."
Mission Briefing
You've identified the weight. This week, just notice when the backpack feels heavier and when it feels lighter. We'll dive deeper next time.
Next Stop: Emotional Weather
Counselor Facilitation Guide Week 2: Emotional Weather
Healing Horizons Treatment Plan
Duration 50 Min
Session Objectives
• Identify the "weather system" of emotions following loss.
• Normalize complex emotions (anger, guilt, relief, numbness).
• Differentiate between "feeling" an emotion and "being" an emotion.
Counselor Prep
Adolescents may struggle with the "loss of control" that comes with intense emotions. Use the weather metaphor to emphasize that emotions are temporary and external to their core identity.
Session Materials
Emotional Forecast Worksheet
Session Slides: Storm Systems
Session Flow
0-10m
Check-In
Brief recap of the Backpack metaphor.
10-25m
The Storm
Discussing the variety of grief emotions.
25-40m
The Forecast
Mapping current feelings and their duration.
40-50m
Closing
"Umbrella" strategies for the week.
The Weather Metaphor
"Emotions are like the weather. You might be in the middle of a thunderstorm right now, but you are not the storm. You are the sky. The sky holds the storm, the sun, and the wind. The weather always changes; the sky stays."
Key Discussion: Anger & Guilt
Many teens feel anger toward the person who died or guilt about things left unsaid. Normalizing these "messy" emotions is critical.
"It's okay to be mad at them for leaving."
"Guilt is often just love with nowhere to go."
The "Forecast" Worksheet
Ask the client to plot their emotions over the last week.
Emotional Forecast Worksheet Emotional Forecast
Session 2: Mapping the Storms
Name:
Date:
Grief isn't just sadness. It's a whole weather system of feelings. Some days are foggy (numb), some are stormy (anger), and some are even sunny for a bit. This doesn't mean you're "over it"—it just means the weather is changing.
The Week's Radar
Think back over the last 7 days. Mark where your "emotional weather" has been. You can use multiple marks.
Sunny
Relief / Normalcy
Foggy
Numb / Disconnected
Rainy
Sadness / Loneliness
Stormy
Anger / Guilt
The High Pressure
What situation this week made the "storm" feel most intense?
The Low Pressure
What situation or person made the weather feel "calm" for a moment?
Building Your Umbrella
What is one thing you can do when the "storm" hits to keep yourself safe? (e.g., music, gaming, talking to a specific person, shooting hoops)
Healing Horizons Program Session 2 Worksheet
Counselor Facilitation Guide Week 3: Legacy Blueprint
Healing Horizons Treatment Plan
Duration 50 Min
Session Objectives
• Introduce the "Continuing Bonds" theory (maintaining a connection).
• Identify specific values, traits, or memories to preserve.
• Create a "Legacy Blueprint" for honoring the connection.
Counselor Prep
Many teens feel pressure to "move on" or "get over it." This session reframes grief as a transformation of the relationship rather than its ending.
Session Materials
The Legacy Blueprint Worksheet
(Optional) Photos or Mementos
Session Flow
0-10m
Check-In
Reviewing the "Weather" from the past week.
10-25m
New Philosophy
The shift from "Letting Go" to "Carrying With."
25-40m
Mapping Legacy
Identifying traits and shared memories.
40-50m
Closing
Commitment to a "Legacy Action."
Continuing Bonds
"Society tells us we need to 'get over it.' But that's not how it works. You don't leave the person behind; you find a new way to keep them with you. What parts of them do you want to keep as part of your own life?"
Focus on Traits:
"Were they funny? Tough? Kind? Good at fixing things? How can you use that same trait in your own life?"
Focus on Interests:
"What music did they like? What sports? Doing these things can be a way to stay connected."
Therapeutic Activity: The Legacy Box
If appropriate, suggest the teen starts a "Legacy Box" or a digital folder for things that remind them of the person. This provides a physical place for the "Continuing Bond."
The Legacy Blueprint Worksheet The Legacy Blueprint
Session 3: Carrying Them With You
Name:
Date:
We don't "get over" loss; we learn to carry it differently. This blueprint is about deciding which parts of the person or relationship you want to keep with you as you move forward.
The Foundation (Core Traits)
What were three things people admired about them? How can you show those same qualities in your life?
Trait
How I'll use it
Trait
How I'll use it
Trait
How I'll use it
Shared Interests
Music, games, food, or sports you both loved.
The "Best Day" Memory
A specific moment that always makes you smile.
The Legacy Action
What is one small thing you can do this week to honor them? (Listen to a song, draw something, visit a place, wear something of theirs)
Healing Horizons Program Session 3 Worksheet
Counselor Facilitation Guide Week 4: Storm Navigation
Healing Horizons Treatment Plan
Duration 50 Min
Session Objectives
• Identify common grief "triggers" or "grief bursts."
• Develop a list of grounding and regulation skills.
• Create a physical "Emergency Response Plan" for difficult days.
Counselor Prep
14-year-old boys may feel embarrassed by sudden outbursts of emotion (grief bursts). Reframe these not as "weakness" but as "system overloads" that require specific technical responses.
Session Materials
Emergency Response Plan Worksheet
Session Slides: The Navigation Kit
Session Flow
0-10m
Check-In
Reviewing any 'legacy actions' from Week 3.
10-25m
Trigger Map
Identifying people, places, or dates that 'spike' grief.
25-40m
Skill Building
Hands-on practice with grounding techniques.
40-50m
The Plan
Finalizing the emergency card.
Grief Bursts
"Sometimes grief is a slow rain. Other times, it's a 'burst'—a sudden wave that hits you out of nowhere when you're at school or with friends. It's like your brain suddenly hits a patch of turbulence. We need a navigation plan for when that happens."
Skills to Teach:
1. Box Breathing
4 in, 4 hold, 4 out, 4 hold. Repeat.
2. 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding
Name 5 things you see, 4 you feel, etc.
3. Physical Reset
Cold water on the face or a quick walk.
4. Internal Radio
Having a specific 'safety song' or playlist.
Emergency Response Plan Worksheet Emergency Response Plan
Session 4: Navigating Grief Bursts
Name:
Date:
A "Grief Burst" is a sudden wave of intense feeling. It's not a sign that you're getting worse; it's just a reaction to a trigger. This plan is your toolkit for when the "burst" happens.
The Trigger Map
What are the specific things that set off a "grief burst" for you? List 4.
1
2
3
4
The Navigation Kit (Skills)
Grounding Move
Choose one: Box breathing, 5-4-3-2-1, or muscle tensing.
The Escape Route
Where can you go to be alone for 5 minutes if you're at school or out?
The Radio Signal
One song or video that helps you feel "reset."
The Backup
One person you can text/call who "gets it."
Response Card
When a burst hits, I will first _____________________________________, then I will ________________________________________ until I feel my heart rate go down.
"This is a wave. It will pass. I am the sky."
Healing Horizons Program Session 4 Worksheet
Counselor Facilitation Guide Week 5: Internal Architecture
Healing Horizons Treatment Plan
Duration 50 Min
Session Objectives
• Explore how loss has changed the teen's sense of self and roles.
• Identify "old" parts of self vs. "new" parts of self.
• Acknowledge and validate the "Identity Shift" that occurs with grief.
Counselor Prep
14 is already a time of major identity formation. A significant loss can disrupt this process. The teen may feel like a different person or like they've "aged" faster than their peers.
Session Materials
Internal Architecture Worksheet
Art Supplies (Markers/Pencils)
Session Flow
0-10m
Check-In
Reviewing any 'emergency plan' uses.
10-25m
The Shift
Discussing how life feels 'Before' vs 'After'.
25-40m
New Construction
Identifying new strengths or roles found in grief.
40-50m
Closing
Affirming the "I am" statements.
The Identity Shift
"When we lose someone important, a part of who we were 'with them' changes. You might feel like you've had to grow up faster than other 14-year-olds. Or maybe your role in the family has changed. We're looking at the new 'architecture' of who you are now."
Discussion Theme: Social Comparison
"Do you feel different from your friends? Like you're seeing the world through a different lens?"
Discussion Theme: New Roles
"Are you taking on more responsibility? Helping out more? Does that feel like a burden or a strength?"
Therapeutic Concept: Post-Traumatic Growth
While we never want the loss to happen, we can sometimes find new strengths (resilience, empathy, depth) because of it. Help the teen identify one 'new' positive part of themselves.
Internal Architecture Worksheet Internal Architecture
Session 5: Who Am I Now?
Name:
Date:
Grief changes us. It’s like a building that’s been renovated—some old parts are still there, but there are new structures, too. This isn’t about being "broken"; it’s about understanding the new design of your life.
The "Before" Me
Words that described me before the loss.
The "Now" Me
Words that describe me today.
The New Roles
Are you acting differently in your family or with your friends? (e.g., "The Helper," "The Brave One," "The Quiet One")
A role I've taken on:
How it feels:
Strength Under Construction
What is one thing you've learned about your own strength that you didn't know before? Or one way you've grown that surprised you?
Healing Horizons Program Session 5 Worksheet
Counselor Facilitation Guide Week 6: Horizon Mapping
Healing Horizons Treatment Plan
Duration 50 Min
Session Objectives
• Synthesize the skills and insights learned over the past 6 weeks.
• Establish future goals that incorporate the "Continuing Bond."
• Review and process the end of the 1-on-1 treatment plan.
Counselor Prep
Termination is a loss itself. Be mindful of how the teen handles the end of your sessions. Focus on empowerment and the idea that "the horizon is always moving."
Session Materials
Horizon Map Worksheet
Treatment Summary / Certificate
Session Flow
0-10m
Check-In
Reflecting on the 6-week journey.
10-25m
Skills Recap
Reviewing the Backpack, Weather, and Plan.
25-40m
Horizon Map
Setting goals for the next month/year.
40-50m
Termination
Final goodbye and resource handoff.
The Horizon Metaphor
"The horizon is where the sky meets the earth. It looks like an ending, but as you move toward it, the horizon keeps moving back. Healing is like that. It's not a destination you reach; it's a way of traveling. You've got your navigation kit now."
Review Questions:
Which session or concept felt the most helpful for you?
What's one thing you know about yourself now that you didn't know 6 weeks ago?
If you feel a "Grief Burst" next month, which tool will you use first?
Closing Activity: The Hand-Off
Provide the teen with a printed summary of their skills and a list of outside resources (support groups, hotlines). Encourage them to keep their worksheets in a folder as a "Navigation Log."
The Horizon Map Worksheet The Horizon Map
Session 6: The Path Forward
Name:
Date:
You've spent 6 weeks exploring the landscape of your grief. You've identified the weight, mapped the weather, and built a navigation kit. Now, it's time to look toward the horizon.
My Navigation Kit
My Best Skill
My Top Supporter
My Legacy Action
The Horizon (Goals)
Where do you want to be in your life a few months from now? What is one goal you have?
Why this matters to me:
The Navigator's Creed
"I am not the storm; I am the sky. I carry a heavy backpack, but my muscles are strong. I am not moving on from the past; I am carrying it with me into the future."
Signature
Healing Horizons Completion Session 6 Worksheet
