Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

In this 6-session group intervention, students will learn core DBT skills—mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness—to better manage behaviors and emotions. Designed for small groups (3–6 students) who need extra support, each 40-minute session includes a lesson plan, guided discussion, engaging activity, a worksheet, and accompanying videos to reinforce learning.

An individualized CBT session guiding an 11th grade student through identifying and disputing core beliefs using targeted reading, worksheets, and reflection. This Tier 3 lesson deepens self-awareness and equips the student with practical CBT strategies in a single 55-minute session.

This lesson introduces students to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), focusing on the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Students will explore how these elements influence each other and learn practical strategies to manage stress and anxiety. This lesson is crucial for developing self-awareness and emotional regulation skills, which are essential for mental well-being and academic success.

This lesson plan is designed to help a 9th-grade girl with Depersonalization and Derealization Disorder (DDD) develop effective coping strategies. Through a series of three 30-minute sessions, the student will engage in activities, readings, and worksheets that focus on understanding her symptoms and learning practical techniques to manage them. This lesson is important as it empowers the student with tools to navigate her experiences, fostering resilience and emotional well-being.

This lesson plan is designed to help a 9th-grade girl with Depersonalization and Derealization Disorder (DDD) develop effective coping strategies. Through a series of three 30-minute sessions, the student will engage in activities, readings, and worksheets that focus on understanding her symptoms and learning practical techniques to manage them. This lesson is important as it empowers the student with tools to navigate her experiences, fostering resilience and emotional well-being.

In this 25-minute Tier 2 small-group activity, new counselors will reinforce their understanding of core Cognitive Behavioral Therapy concepts through an interactive Bingo quiz. Participants identify real-life examples of CBT principles to mark off their cards, promoting recall, collaboration, and deeper learning.

In this engaging 30-minute session, three 2nd graders will learn Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills to effectively resolve conflicts. This lesson is important as it empowers young students with essential life skills to manage emotions and navigate social situations, fostering a harmonious classroom environment.

Over 10 weeks of 30-minute one-on-one sessions teaching a 5th grade student CBIT strategies to manage Tourette’s and co-occurring ADHD. This Tier 3 plan provides personalized support, self-awareness tools, habit-reversal techniques, and relaxation methods from the Tourette Association of America.

This 3-session lesson is designed for a student struggling with low self-esteem, negative mindset, perfectionism, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. It focuses on teaching positive coping strategies, 'I' statements, positive self-talk, and reframing negative thoughts to help manage overwhelming situations. Each session is 30 minutes long and includes a variety of engaging components to support individual growth and emotional well-being.

This 5-session lesson is designed for a 3rd grade student on an IEP, focusing on identifying negative and positive self-talk, understanding coping strategies, and exploring cognitive behavioral triangle connections. Each 20-minute session will empower the student with practical skills to transform negative thoughts into positive ones, enhancing their emotional well-being and resilience.

In this 30-minute Tier 1 lesson for 6th graders, students will learn a core Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skill—mindfulness—through an engaging video and hands-on practice. This lesson helps students develop emotional awareness and stress-management strategies they can use in daily life.

This lesson introduces 3rd-grade students to the concept of emotion regulation using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques. Through a fun and interactive game, students will learn to identify and manage their emotions effectively. The lesson also includes a short video to reinforce the concepts. This lesson is important as it equips students with essential skills to handle their emotions, promoting mental well-being and positive interactions with peers.

This lesson is designed for 1st to 3rd grade students with special needs and behavior challenges. The objective is to engage students in a fun, collaborative, and hands-on activity that helps them understand the connection between helpful and unhelpful thoughts and their feelings and behaviors using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles. The lesson is designed to be completed in 15 minutes.

A focused 30-minute individual counseling session introducing 6th graders to the DBT skill of radical acceptance, helping them learn to relieve distress by embracing reality. This lesson gives students practical strategies for coping with difficult emotions, guiding them through acceptance exercises, role-play, and reflection to make the skill stick.

These two 20-minute individual counseling sessions help Adrian identify and replace negative self-talk with positive or neutral self-statements, understand the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and practice coping strategies like deep breathing and taking space. By mastering these skills, Adrian will build resilience, improve self-awareness, and positively impact his learning and peer interactions.

An individualized journaling resource helping 9th grade students trace client narratives and weave coherent progress trails—boosts reflective skills in counseling & therapy documentation over a single 20-minute session.

This follow-up individual counseling session aims to build on the previous lesson by introducing journaling and positive self-talk as additional strategies to manage overthinking. These techniques can help the student process thoughts and emotions more effectively, leading to improved mental well-being and focus.

This lesson is designed for students who struggle with emotional regulation and decision-making, focusing on enhancing their problem-solving skills through realistic scenarios and CBT strategies. The session will last 30 minutes, incorporating differentiation strategies and offering a Spanish translation option to ensure accessibility for all learners.

This four-session lesson is designed for an 8th-grade girl with social anxiety, aiming to help her build confidence and security in her relationships. Through personalized activities and guided discussions, the student will learn strategies to manage anxiety and foster meaningful connections. Each session lasts 25 minutes and includes a lesson plan, slide deck, activity, and video to support learning.

This lesson is designed to support Grade 9 students returning from psychiatric hospitalizations by focusing on distress tolerance and reintegration into a school routine. Through trauma-informed teaching and inquiry-based learning, students will explore strategies to manage stress and anxiety, helping them transition smoothly back into their academic environment. This lesson is crucial for building resilience and confidence in students as they navigate their return to school.

An engaging class discussion on cognitive distortions and how they can impact mental health. Students will learn to identify and challenge negative thought patterns. This lesson is crucial for helping students develop self-awareness and emotional intelligence, which are essential for mental well-being. Designed for a 10th-grade class, the session will last 45 minutes and is suitable for Tier 1 classroom-wide support.

This 6-session individual lesson for a 6th-grade female student focuses on reducing anxiety, excessive worry, and overthinking using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions. Each 45-minute session is designed to empower the student with practical skills to manage anxiety, fostering emotional well-being and resilience.

This three-session individual counseling series for 8th graders focuses on reframing negative thinking patterns into positive ones. It's crucial for developing emotional resilience and improving mental well-being. Each session lasts 30 minutes and is designed to provide personalized support and practical strategies for managing negative thoughts.

In this 10-minute Tier 3 coaching session, individual counseling trainees will learn how to set up and use an Outcome Insight Matrix to track client progress in real time. This skill helps trainees tailor feedback and enhance treatment planning by capturing outcome measures effectively.

This 5-session lesson for 8th graders focuses on identifying and challenging cognitive distortions, which are irrational thought patterns that can negatively impact mental health. Through interactive activities and discussions, students will learn to recognize these distortions in their own thinking and develop healthier cognitive habits, empowering them to improve their emotional well-being.

This lesson focuses on psychoeducation about emotion dysregulation and ADHD for a 1st-grade student, designed to be completed in one 30-minute session. It aims to help the student understand and manage their emotions better, providing them with tools to navigate emotional challenges effectively.

Short, focused exercises to teach mindfulness techniques for stress reduction and emotional regulation for an individual 11th grade student. This Tier 3 session is a 30-minute individual counseling mini-session to equip the student with practical tools for emotional regulation.

This lesson introduces 6th graders to the basics of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) framework, focusing on understanding thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This foundational knowledge is crucial for developing emotional intelligence and resilience, helping students manage their emotions and reactions in everyday situations. The lesson is designed for a single 15-minute session and includes engaging activities and a game to reinforce learning.

This individualized coaching module empowers school counselors to investigate gaps in their progress notes and refine documentation quality through self-assessment and targeted improvement. Delivered in a single 30-minute session for Tier 3 support.

In this Tier 3, single-session 60-minute lesson, teachers will guide an 11th-grade student through understanding and managing dissociation resulting from trauma. This trauma-informed session builds self-awareness, grounding skills, and coping strategies to empower the student to feel present and safe.

This lesson is designed for a visually impaired student experiencing low self-esteem and emotional dysregulation. Over four 20-minute sessions, the student will learn and apply positive coping skills such as 'stop and think' strategies, 'I statements', anxiety coping skills, and grounding techniques. This lesson aims to empower the student to manage overwhelming scenarios and build resilience.

In this 15-minute small-group Tier 2 session, 7th graders will learn to identify emotional triggers and coping strategies using interactive mood charts. This targeted behavioral support helps students build self-awareness and resilience through daily check-ins.

In this engaging lesson, high school students in a therapeutic classroom will explore various cognitive distortions and learn techniques to challenge and reframe unhelpful thoughts. This lesson is crucial for fostering self-awareness and emotional regulation, empowering students to make informed choices about their moods and behaviors. The session will last 35 minutes and is designed as a Tier 2 group lesson.

This 8-session plan helps 10th-grade students understand social anxiety and explore effective coping strategies through personal reflection and self-guided activities. Each session focuses on different aspects of social anxiety, allowing students to develop personalized coping strategies and apply them in real-life situations. This approach promotes mental well-being and resilience by equipping students with the knowledge and tools to handle social situations more confidently.

A one-session, 30-minute individual counseling lesson for 6th graders focused on mental health counseling and building personal coping strategies. This Tier 3 lesson helps students identify emotions, learn coping tools, and practice self-talk to manage stress and anxiety.

This self-led online series is designed for 18-year-olds to learn stress management skills through concise, 10-minute modules. Each module focuses on practical techniques and strategies to handle stress effectively, crucial for mental health and overall well-being. The series includes engaging videos, readings, and activities, with considerations for students with ADHD.

In this single 30-minute Tier 3 session, a 4th grade student will learn to identify common cognitive distortions and reflect on their own thoughts to improve emotional regulation. This lesson helps the student recognize and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, building self-awareness and coping skills.

This 4-session lesson is designed for a 9th-grade male student, focusing on the proper use of social media, text messaging, and online conduct. It aims to empower students with the skills to navigate digital interactions responsibly, especially when encountering inappropriate material. Each session is 45 minutes long, providing individualized support to ensure comprehension and application of these critical life skills.

A small group session aimed at helping students measure and understand their own distress tolerance levels, and learn methods to increase them. It is important for developing resilience and personal insight.

In this 30-minute individual Tier 3 session, a third-grade boy with autism will learn how to identify and manage his thoughts in order to influence his behaviors positively. This CBT-based lesson helps him become a “mind detective,” spotting unhelpful thoughts and replacing them with helpful ones to reduce frustration and increase self-control.

This series of 10 counseling lessons is designed for a 1st grade special education student who is demonstrating a pattern of poor choices affecting their social interactions. The lessons aim to develop personal accountability and self-regulation skills, crucial for improving social relationships and overall classroom behavior. Each session is 30 minutes long, focusing on interactive and engaging activities tailored to individual needs.

This lesson introduces 4th-grade students to the CBT triangle, which connects thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and its relationship with brain function. Through engaging activities, students will learn how their thoughts can influence their emotions and actions. This lesson is important as it empowers students with self-awareness and emotional regulation skills, fostering resilience and mental well-being.

This series of 5 individual lessons is designed for a 6th-grade student with ADHD and a history of conduct issues. The goal is to reduce conduct incidents while building emotional regulation, accountability, and positive peer interactions. Each 20-minute session will focus on specific strategies and skills, incorporating engaging activities and discussions to foster personal growth and understanding.

This lesson serves as an introduction to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for middle school students. It aims to help students understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Through discussion, group activities, and a CBT exercise, students will learn how to identify and challenge negative thoughts. This foundational lesson is important as it equips students with basic CBT skills that can be built upon in future sessions.

Students will explore how their thoughts shape emotions and learn mindfulness and cognitive techniques to manage moods. This helps build self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience. Audience: Grades 6–8; 1 session, 50 minutes.

A small-group program offering targeted tools and strategies for students who need extra support in de-escalating emotions during crisis moments. This 30-minute Tier 2 (group) session for 7th graders helps them identify triggers, practice de-escalation skills, and create personalized safety plans.

This lesson focuses on equipping veterans and their family members with the skills to develop a personalized Crisis Response Plan for suicide prevention. By understanding the components of a crisis plan and actively engaging in its creation, participants will gain a sense of control and preparedness for potential mental health crises. This lesson is crucial as it empowers individuals with practical tools and strategies to manage crises effectively, fostering resilience and mental well-being.

A focused session for students who have experienced trauma, helping them understand their emotions and reactions. This lesson is key to personal insight and emotional regulation.

A four-session small group intervention for 10th graders with anxiety and depression to learn to challenge and stop negative thinking using thought stopping techniques. By building awareness, challenging distortions, and practicing new thinking skills in a safe, supportive setting, students will gain observable changes in their thought patterns and emotional wellbeing.

A focused 20-minute personalized counseling session for a kindergarten student to assess calming strategies, practice new techniques, and develop an individualized coping plan. This Tier 3 intervention strengthens self-regulation skills with immediate feedback and clear expectations.

In this individualized Tier 3 behavior support session, a 2nd-grade student will use a visual timeline to identify challenging behaviors, triggers, and plan alternative choices. This 25-minute intervention fosters self-monitoring and planning skills, crucial for developing positive behavior patterns.

In this 4-session small group lesson, 6th and 8th grade special education students will learn to identify and challenge negative thoughts using fun detective-themed CBT techniques. Students will develop skills to replace negative self-talk with balanced thoughts, boosting resilience and emotional well-being. Sessions are 30 minutes each, ideal for learners with autism and depression.

This lesson focuses on helping students with ADHD and ED develop emotional regulation skills through active learning and trauma-informed teaching. By engaging in a guided discussion, students will explore their emotions and learn strategies to manage them effectively. This lesson is crucial for fostering self-awareness and emotional control, which are essential for personal and academic success. Additionally, it includes a discussion on the effects of marijuana use to help students understand its impact on emotional regulation.

This lesson aims to help 9th grade female students reduce symptoms of OCD through trauma-informed teaching strategies. By focusing on mindfulness and self-awareness, students will learn techniques to manage their symptoms, allowing them to better access classroom instruction. This lesson is important as it empowers students with tools to improve their mental health and academic performance.

This 3-session lesson for 3rd and 4th graders focuses on developing coping skills for test anxiety and addressing perfectionism. Students will learn practical strategies to manage stress and build confidence, helping them perform better in academic settings. Each session is 15 minutes long, designed for small groups needing extra support.

This lesson is designed for students who struggle with impulsive behavior and have a hard time following directions. Over the course of five 15-minute sessions, students will learn about the importance of boundaries and effective listening skills. This lesson aims to empower students with the tools they need to improve self-control and enhance their ability to follow directions, which are crucial skills for personal and academic success.

In this lesson, students will learn about the concept of 'opposite action' from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) through a fun and interactive activity. This lesson is important as it helps students understand how to manage their emotions and reactions in a healthy way, promoting emotional regulation and resilience. By engaging in a project-based learning activity, students will explore real-life scenarios where they can apply opposite action, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

This lesson uses a game-based approach to help students understand the importance of cooperation and openness to treatment. Through interactive activities, students will explore scenarios that require teamwork and problem-solving, fostering a supportive environment for addressing resistance. This lesson is crucial for building social-emotional skills and promoting positive behavior changes in students with Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

In this 45-minute, small-group Tier 2 counseling activity, students work together to navigate a puzzle-based physical maze under time pressure. Through defined roles and rules, they practice communication, cooperation, and stress management. This session builds group counseling techniques by encouraging reflection on problem-solving under stress.

In this two-session, 20-minute individual counseling series, the 2nd-grade student will become a “detective” of their own body, learning to recognize at least two physical responses tied to dysregulated feelings (anxiety, frustration, anger). This builds emotional awareness and self-regulation skills crucial for classroom success.

An 8-session group-based series for 9th–12th graders with anxiety to learn and practice coping strategies across school settings. Students will engage in interactive activities, worksheets, and discussions to develop skills like mindfulness, breathing exercises, and positive self-talk. Tier 2 supports include progress monitoring aligned with IEP goals to ensure growth over 30-minute sessions.

This series of 10 counseling sessions for 1st-grade students focuses on implementing self-regulation strategies to manage frustration and negative emotions. Each session builds on the previous one, reinforcing emotional intelligence and social skills, helping students navigate their feelings and interactions more effectively. Designed for a Tier 1 classroom setting, each session lasts 30 minutes.

A brief structured check-in tool to monitor ongoing suicide risk factors and update safety plans dynamically with a 9th grade student in a 20-minute one-on-one session. This Tier 3 individual intervention helps counselors assess current risk, track mood trends, and provide coping support to keep students safe.

This lesson aims to help 2nd-grade students understand and manage trichotillomania by introducing them to healthy coping strategies. It's important because it empowers young students with the knowledge and tools to replace hair-pulling behaviors with positive habits, fostering emotional well-being and self-awareness. The lesson is designed for one 30-minute session.

A concise toolkit of quick, evidence-based activities to help a 4th grade student interrupt stressful thoughts and redirect focus. This Tier 3 individual counseling session spans 15 minutes and includes step-by-step guides and materials for implementation.

An individualized session focused on developing personal impulse control strategies through cognitive behavioral techniques. This lesson is crucial for students needing tailored support to improve decision-making skills.

Focus on developing a positive internal dialogue to improve emotional regulation. This lesson helps students replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations, enhancing self-esteem and emotional resilience. Designed for 11th-grade students, this 45-minute session provides individual support to foster emotional growth and resilience.

This two-session lesson is designed for a 1st-grade female student to help her challenge negative thinking patterns related to peer relationships using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques. Over two 50-minute sessions, the student will engage in activities, games, and discussions to foster positive social interactions and build confidence in her ability to form and maintain friendships.

This lesson aims to provide a 9th-grade student with strategies to understand and manage depersonalization and derealization disorder. Through a combination of video, reading, discussion, and activities, the student will gain insights into the symptoms and coping mechanisms for these disorders. This lesson is crucial as it empowers the student with knowledge and practical strategies to handle these experiences, promoting mental well-being and resilience.

This lesson teaches the student effective conflict resolution techniques to handle disagreements peacefully. Through scenario-based activities and discussions, the student will learn to negotiate and find mutually beneficial solutions.

This lesson is designed for a 7th grade girl diagnosed with autism and ADHD, focusing on managing frustration and reducing negative behaviors. Over two 30-minute sessions, the lesson will provide personalized strategies to help the student understand and regulate her emotions, ultimately improving her ability to focus and interact positively with others.