Group Counseling Techniques

This lesson is designed for 6th to 8th graders to help them build self-confidence, improve self-image, and develop a positive mindset. The session will cover topics such as body image, handling negative self-talk, and building resilience. The duration of the lesson is 45 minutes.

A series of six lessons designed for 6th-8th graders to enhance social skills in a group counseling setting. Each lesson focuses on different aspects of social interaction, including communication, empathy, teamwork, conflict resolution, friendship building, and self-awareness, with a duration of 30 minutes per session.

In this 45-minute small-group session, 10th graders will use solution-focused brief therapy techniques to map concrete steps toward their personal goals using the miracle question—boosting clarity and motivation. This Tier 2 group counseling lesson guides students in defining their goals, visualizing success, and creating action plans to foster self-efficacy and progress.

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.

In this lesson plan, students will get to know their School Counselor through an engaging bingo game. This will help them understand who their School Counselor is, what they do, and how they can help. The game format makes it fun and interactive, which is ideal for keeping 2nd graders' attention.

This lesson explores the role of counseling services in shaping students' identities and experiences in public schools. It is designed for adults, focusing on how counseling can support the development of well-rounded individuals in a diverse society. The session will last 30 minutes and is crucial for understanding the integration of counseling in educational settings.

This lesson aims to introduce the school counselor to third-grade students. The session will include a fun and interactive activity, watching a brief video, and a group discussion to help students understand the role of their counselor and learn some personal facts about them. This will build a foundation of trust and familiarity, which is crucial for students to feel comfortable seeking help from their counselor in the future.

In this engaging lesson, students will get to know their school counselor through a fun and interactive Bingo game. This activity helps students understand the counselor's role and feel comfortable approaching them for support. It also encourages listening skills and provides a platform for questions and discussions.

This is a six-session plan designed for 8th graders who have experienced the death of a loved one or other significant loss. The sessions aim to provide a supportive space for students to express their emotions, process grief, and find support among peers. Each session will last 45 minutes.

In this 30-minute Tier 3 individual support session, 8th-grade students will learn and practice clinical intake interviews through a structured role-play activity. This lesson is crucial for developing active listening, structured data collection, and foundational counseling skills. Components include a detailed Lesson-Plan Script, Key Intake Questions Slide Deck, and Pair Role-Play Activity.

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.

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.

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.

This group counseling session focuses on enhancing social skills through engaging activities and a video component. The session is designed to help students develop confidence in social interactions, improve communication skills, and understand the importance of active listening. By using Game-Based Learning strategies, the session aims to make learning social skills fun and interactive, encouraging students to apply these skills in real-life situations.

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 5-session lesson plan for 7th graders focuses on understanding and managing social anxiety. Through group activities, discussions, and reflections, students will learn strategies to cope with social anxiety, fostering a supportive environment. Each session lasts 30 minutes, providing targeted support to help students build confidence and improve their social interactions.

A one-on-one counseling session for 5th graders focused on identifying emotions and learning coping strategies. This Tier 3 individualized lesson empowers students to understand their feelings and practice tools for emotional regulation within 30 minutes.

In this lesson, students will have an interactive session with their school counselor to understand the counselor's role, how they can help, and when to approach them for support. This lesson aims to build trust and awareness among students, encouraging them to seek help when needed.

This 5-session group lesson is designed to help a student manage school-related anxiety and develop strategies for engaging in school with confidence. The lesson also aims to educate caregivers on the importance of creating structure and setting boundaries to support the student's progress. Each session is 30 minutes long and includes a lesson plan, script, discussion, and activity to ensure comprehensive support for both the student and caregivers.

In this 30-minute group therapy activity for 7th graders, students will explore self-esteem by identifying personal strengths, sharing positive feedback, and building a supportive classroom community. This lesson fosters emotional well-being, communication skills, and confidence, helping students feel empowered and connected to peers.

This lesson focuses on helping a student develop coping skills for depression and anxiety through personalized strategies and activities. Over two 30-minute sessions, the student will engage in discussions, worksheets, and readings to better understand and manage their emotions. This lesson is crucial for empowering the student to navigate their feelings and improve their mental well-being.

This lesson will introduce students to their school counselor through interactive activities and discussion. It's essential for students to feel comfortable approaching their counselor for support, and this lesson aims to build that familiarity and trust.

This lesson introduces 5th graders in a small group to mindfulness techniques, teaching breathing and grounding exercises to calm anxiety and improve focus. Through a 20-minute routine, students will learn and practice individual counseling techniques that support self-regulation and emotional wellness.

This lesson involves a simulation-based activity where students role-play as grief counselors and clients. Through this exercise, students will learn effective communication and empathy skills, which are crucial for interpersonal relationships and emotional intelligence. The lesson includes feedback sessions to help students reflect on their performance and improve their skills, making it a valuable experience for personal and professional development.

This lesson is designed to help high school cheerleaders manage stress effectively through engaging activities and practical strategies. By focusing on stress reduction, the lesson aims to enhance their performance, well-being, and team dynamics. The session will last 30 minutes and is tailored for a small group setting, ensuring personalized attention and support.

Students engage in group problem-solving activities, learning to communicate effectively and work cooperatively to reach a solution, essential for social cohesion. This lesson is designed for a 3rd grade group and focuses on developing social awareness and teamwork skills through interactive challenges. The session is 45 minutes long and is classified as Tier 2: Group support to help students enhance their collaborative abilities.

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.

In this 30-minute small-group lesson for middle school counseling teams, participants will refine SMART goal creation and tailor objectives for individual client needs. This targeted session supports counselors in enhancing treatment planning by providing structured tools and best practices.

This 4-session lesson is designed for students in grades 3-5 to help them manage and overcome testing anxiety. Through engaging activities, games, and discussions, students will learn strategies to build confidence and remain calm during tests. Each session is 20 minutes long, focusing on different aspects of anxiety management and providing practical tools that students can use in real-life testing situations.

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.

In this engaging 30-minute lesson, 3rd–5th grade students will get to know their school counselor, understand the counselor’s role, and build comfort for future support. This Tier 1 classroom lesson includes interactive activities and games to establish a trusting relationship and introduce essential counseling services.

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.

In this 55-minute small-group Tier 2 counseling lesson, 11th graders will learn to identify complex emotions, map their triggers using an emotion wheel, and practice navigating feelings through role-play scenarios. This guide equips students with tools for self-understanding and coping in real-life situations.

This 4-session lesson for 11th graders focuses on developing skills to work effectively in groups, even with individuals they may not initially get along with. It's crucial for students to learn these skills as they prepare for college and careers where teamwork is essential. Each session is 30 minutes long and includes interactive activities and discussions to engage students in practical strategies for successful collaboration.

In this lesson, students will go on a fun scavenger hunt around the classroom to find clues that introduce them to the school counselor and their role. This interactive activity helps make the introduction memorable and engaging for young students.

This lesson plan is designed to help high school students improve their self-esteem and develop effective study habits. Over six sessions, students will engage in activities that promote self-acceptance, gratitude, and personal growth, while also learning practical skills for academic success. This lesson is important as it addresses both emotional well-being and academic performance, equipping students with the tools they need to thrive in school and beyond.

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.

Students will engage in mindfulness exercises to improve focus and reduce stress, promoting better mental well-being. This lesson is vital for enhancing concentration and emotional regulation, helping students navigate their emotions and daily challenges more effectively. Designed for a 5th-grade group, this session will last 30 minutes and is classified as Tier 2: Group support.

This lesson helps individual students understand and confront their fears through cognitive-behavioral strategies. It is crucial for building confidence and resilience, specifically designed for a 10th-grade student. The lesson is structured for a 40-minute session, focusing on school psychology.

A small-group mindfulness routine teaching breathing and grounding exercises to calm anxiety and improve focus in a 5th-grade group. This Tier 2 lesson includes a 20-minute session with structured activities and visual support to foster emotional regulation and boost concentration.

This series of play therapy lessons is designed for second-grade students to explore emotions, build social skills, and enhance self-awareness through play. Each session incorporates experiential learning, trauma-informed teaching, and collaborative learning strategies to create a safe and engaging environment. These lessons are crucial for fostering emotional resilience and promoting positive interactions among students. Trauma-informed practices are integrated to ensure a supportive and healing environment, focusing on safety, trust, and empowerment.

This lesson aims to introduce second graders to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to help them manage anxiety. Through a combination of game-based learning, experiential activities, and discussion, students will learn to identify anxious thoughts and practice calming strategies. This lesson is important as it equips young students with tools to manage their emotions, promoting emotional well-being and resilience.

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 introduces students to the school counselor through interactive activities, helping them understand the counselor's role in supporting personal and academic growth and the importance of mental health. This session is crucial for building a supportive school environment and encouraging students to seek help when needed.

This lesson plan is designed for an 8-week counseling small group for 2nd graders who struggle with friendships. Each session will focus on different aspects of making and keeping friends through game-based, active, and experiential learning activities. This approach will help students develop essential social skills, empathy, and cooperation, which are crucial for building and maintaining friendships.

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 6-week program is designed for a 9th-grade male student who enjoys art and struggles with mental health. The objective is to improve executive functioning skills, identify emotions, regulate emotions, and learn coping skills. Each session lasts 10 minutes and includes a lesson plan, worksheet, activity, game, discussion, project, and a cool-down activity.

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.

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 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.

In this two-session workshop, 6th graders will mentor 3rd and 4th graders on overcoming anger by teaching calming strategies and engaging in creative activities. This lesson is important as it empowers older students to lead and younger students to learn valuable emotional regulation skills, fostering a supportive community. The sessions include discussions, reading, creative design activities, and reflection, all within a 15-minute timeframe per session.

This session is designed to help students work through personal grief in a supportive group environment, focusing on healing and emotional recovery. It’s important for providing a safe space for students to express their feelings and learn from each other. This lesson is aimed at 9th-grade students and will be conducted in a single 60-minute session, classified as Tier 2: Group support.

A 10-minute Tier 3 counseling session guide for 9th graders to practice quick mindfulness and breathing exercises for stress reduction and improved focus. This individual support session equips students with easy-to-follow techniques they can use anytime.

This lesson introduces 10th grade students to grounding practices that can help manage trauma-related stress and anxiety. Through experiential learning and inquiry-based activities, students will explore techniques such as the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method. This lesson is important as it equips students with practical tools to manage emotional distress, fostering resilience and emotional well-being.

Introduce students to the practice of mindfulness, teaching them techniques to calm their minds and focus their thoughts. This lesson is crucial for helping students develop coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety. Designed for an 8th-grade group, this Tier 2 lesson spans one session of 30 minutes.

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.

This three-session lesson is designed for a student struggling with low self-esteem and negative self-perception. The focus is on helping the student identify their strengths, practice positive self-talk, and reframe negative thoughts. Each session lasts 20 minutes and includes a lesson plan, worksheet, discussion, and warm-up activity to support individual growth and self-awareness.

This lesson focuses on teaching students the principles of giving effective advice, emphasizing empathy, clarity, and purpose. Through discussions and guided activities, students will practice these skills, enhancing their ability to communicate thoughtfully and supportively. This lesson is important as it helps students develop critical social-emotional skills that are essential for building strong relationships and fostering a supportive community.

Teaching students techniques to control impulsive behaviors, aimed at middle school students, particularly 6th graders. The lesson will focus on helping students recognize impulsive behaviors and apply strategies to manage them effectively. The duration of the lesson is approximately 60 minutes.

This 4-week small group lesson series is designed to teach 2nd grade students the importance of active listening, understanding others, and emotional regulation. Through engaging activities, discussions, and role-play, students will learn to listen with empathy and manage their emotions effectively, fostering a supportive classroom environment and enhancing interpersonal relationships.

This 3-session lesson is designed for two boys with attentional issues to learn how to work effectively in a group. Over the course of three 30-minute sessions, the boys will engage in discussions, activities, and games that emphasize collaboration, communication, and empathy. This lesson is important as it helps students develop essential social skills and strategies to interact positively with peers, which can improve their classroom experience and relationships.

Students will learn techniques and exercises that help boost confidence and self-esteem, which are crucial for reducing anxiety. Focusing on positive self-talk and body language, this lesson empowers students to face challenges with a positive mindset. This lesson is designed for an 8th-grade group and will last 30 minutes, providing Tier 2 support.

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.

A targeted quiz-based workshop in small groups exploring the science of grief, building emotional literacy, and guiding 11th graders toward meaningful support strategies. This Tier 2 lesson helps identify student understanding and next steps in grief counseling through interactive assessment and discussion in a 30-minute session.

This 6-session lesson is designed for a 5th-grade male student who is competitive and often finds himself in conflict with peers due to misunderstandings. The goal is to enhance his perspective-taking skills, increase personal awareness of his competitive nature, and reduce conflicts. Each session is 20 minutes long and focuses on building empathy and understanding through interactive activities and discussions.

This lesson teaches students the impact of positive thinking and how it can transform their outlook and interactions. It's vital for fostering a positive group dynamic, specifically designed for a 7th-grade group. The lesson will be conducted in a single 35-minute session, focusing on school psychology and group dynamics.

This lesson introduces mindfulness practices to small groups, helping them focus on the present moment and reduce anxiety. It's important for building resilience and self-awareness among students. Designed for a 5th grade group, this Tier 2 lesson spans one session of 35 minutes.

This five-session lesson series is designed for Pre-K students to help them understand and manage anxiety through engaging activities and strategies. Each 30-minute session will focus on building emotional awareness and resilience, providing young learners with tools to navigate their feelings and develop confidence.

This lesson aims to help 7th-grade students understand and address their insecurities in a supportive group setting. By exploring common insecurities and learning strategies to overcome them, students will build confidence and empathy. This session is designed for a small group and will last 30 minutes, focusing on creating a safe space for open discussion and personal growth.

In this Tier 2 group lesson, 10th grade counseling students collaborate to create a fictional client case from scratch and then draft a complete SOAP note. This fun, hands-on game strengthens clinical documentation skills and encourages creativity within a structured format. Audiences: 10th Grade Counseling Group, 1 session of 40 minutes.

This lesson focuses on teaching 7th graders the essential skill of emotional regulation, helping them understand and manage their emotions effectively. It's designed as a Tier 2 group support session, perfect for students who need extra help in developing these skills, and will be conducted in a single 30-minute session.

A small group session designed to teach students a simple countdown technique for calming down when emotions run high. Students will practice using this method in various scenarios, helping them develop emotional regulation skills essential for social and academic success. Designed for 1st-grade students, the session lasts 30 minutes and is classified under Tier 2: Group support.