Trauma-Focused Approaches

This lesson aims to help 7th-grade students understand trauma and develop coping strategies. Through experiential and game-based learning, students will engage in activities that promote trauma-informed awareness and collaborative learning. This lesson is crucial for fostering resilience and emotional intelligence, equipping students with tools to manage stress and trauma effectively.

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.

This lesson introduces 5th-grade students to the concept of grief and provides them with strategies to cope with it. Using a combination of restorative practices, trauma-informed teaching, and game-based learning, students will engage in a discussion, watch a video, and complete a reflective activity. This lesson is important as it equips students with the emotional tools to handle loss and trauma, fostering resilience and emotional intelligence.

This two-session lesson is designed for a 13-year-old girl to explore and develop coping mechanisms after surviving trauma. The lesson aims to empower her with practical strategies to manage emotions and build resilience. Each session is 25 minutes long and includes a lesson plan, activity, and discussion to facilitate understanding and application of these vital skills.

This lesson is designed for a one-on-one counseling session with a 4th-grade student. The focus is on helping the student identify five coping strategies they can use when experiencing heightened emotions. This lesson is important as it equips the student with practical tools to manage their emotions, promoting emotional regulation and resilience.

In this lesson, students will learn about the various tools and resources that a school counselor uses to help with problems and emotions. The students will then create their own 'toolbox' of coping skills and resources that they can take home. This lesson is essential as it helps young students understand the support available to them and equips them with basic emotional tools for resilience.

This lesson aims to provide middle school students with a supportive environment to process emotions after witnessing a traumatic event. It incorporates trauma-informed teaching strategies to help students feel safe and understood. The lesson includes a brief discussion, a reading, and a video to introduce coping mechanisms and emotional management.

This lesson aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for homeless students to express and process their trauma. Through a guided discussion and a creative activity, students will have the opportunity to share their feelings and learn coping strategies. This lesson is important as it helps students build resilience and emotional awareness, which are crucial for their well-being and academic success.

This lesson uses a game-based approach to help two second-grade girls process trauma related to their biological parents. By engaging in a picture-based activity, the students will explore their feelings and thoughts in a safe and supportive environment. This lesson is important as it provides a gentle and interactive way for the students to express themselves and begin healing, using strategies that are accessible given their reading and spelling levels.

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-grade students to essential skills and tools used by school counselors, focusing on problem-solving and effective communication. These skills are crucial for students' personal and academic success, helping them navigate challenges and build strong relationships.

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.

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.

This lesson introduces grounding techniques to help students manage distressing emotions and memories. It is designed to support a 6th-grade boy in overcoming trauma from a robbery by teaching him practical coping strategies. The lesson is important as it empowers students with tools to handle emotional distress, promoting resilience and emotional well-being.

In this 30-minute, one-session lesson for 5th grade small groups, students will learn what anxiety feels like, identify their personal ‘worry triggers,’ and practice two coping strategies. This Tier 2 group session builds self-awareness and equips students with tools they can use immediately to manage anxious feelings.

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 lesson introduces 6th and 7th graders to the concept of grief and loss, focusing on understanding emotions and learning healthy coping strategies. Through age-appropriate discussions and activities, students will gain tools to express their feelings and seek support, fostering emotional resilience and mental health awareness.

This lesson focuses on helping students understand the importance of having an emotional safety plan and guiding them to create their own. This is crucial for their emotional well-being in various situations, fostering a sense of preparedness and confidence in managing their emotions.

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 6-session individual lesson plan is designed for 2nd graders to help them process grief and work on emotional regulation and impulse control. Through engaging activities, worksheets, and games, students will learn to understand and manage their emotions in a supportive environment. This lesson is crucial for building emotional resilience and coping skills at a young age.

This lesson introduces 7th graders to the concept of trauma and its somatic symptoms, focusing on PTSD. Using a video and guided discussion, students will explore how trauma affects the body and mind. This lesson is crucial for building awareness and empathy, helping students recognize symptoms in themselves or others, and encouraging them to seek help if needed.

This lesson is designed for 6th graders to help them understand and address their fears related to trauma. The objective is to provide students with strategies to manage their fears in a healthy way. The lesson will take approximately 15 minutes and includes a lesson plan, discussion, warm-up, and cool-down activities.

In this detective-themed individual counseling session, a 5th grade student will track anxious thoughts like clues and learn strategies to ‘catch’ and challenge them. This 45-minute Tier 3 activity helps build coping skills and self-awareness in a personalized, engaging format.

In this 30-minute session, 6th graders in a small group explore healthy ways to cope with grief through discussion and creative activities. This lesson fosters emotional support and equips students with strategies to express and manage their feelings.

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.

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.

This lesson introduces 3rd-grade students to the concept of therapy in a simple and engaging way. Through a guided discussion, students will learn what therapy is, why people might go to therapy, and how it can help. This lesson is important as it helps normalize the idea of seeking help and promotes mental health awareness from a young age.

This lesson is designed to help a 3rd-grade student with emotional disturbance learn coping skills for managing anxiety. Through a creative and experiential approach, the student will use a coloring worksheet to identify and express where they feel emotions in their body. This activity is important as it provides a non-verbal way for the student to connect with their emotions, fostering self-awareness and emotional regulation.

This counseling session is designed to help a 5th-grade student learn and practice emotional regulation skills. By focusing on coping strategies such as deep breathing, positive self-talk, and visualization, the student will gain tools to manage emotions effectively. These skills are crucial for personal development and can enhance the student's ability to handle stress and emotional challenges.

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.

In this 15-minute individualized session, a 3rd grader will learn to identify feelings of sadness and anger and practice simple, effective coping strategies. This worksheet equips him with a personalized ‘toolbox’ of coping skills to handle big emotions, fostering self-regulation and resilience.

A trauma-sensitive classroom session for 5th graders that introduces safety, trust, and community-building through guided activities. This lesson fosters emotional resilience and belonging in a supportive circle. (45-minute Tier 1 session)

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.

Students will meet the school counselor and learn about different feelings and emotions through storytelling and drawing. This lesson helps young students understand and express their emotions effectively, which is crucial for their social-emotional development.

This 8-week program uses a story-based approach to help 3rd grade students understand what anxiety is and how it might feel. Each week, students will engage in activities that build on their understanding and coping strategies for anxiety. Parent letters will be sent home weekly to keep families informed and involved.

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.

In this lesson, students will be introduced to the school counselor and learn about their role in the school. This lesson is important as it helps students understand the support available to them, ensuring they are aware of who to turn to for help with social, emotional, or academic issues.

In this high school lesson, students will explore the concept of trauma, distinguishing between what trauma is and what it is not, and learn how to apply trauma-informed practices while maintaining expectations. This lesson is crucial for fostering empathy and understanding in students, equipping them with the skills to support peers and themselves in a compassionate manner. The lesson will be conducted in one 45-minute session and is designed for a classroom-wide audience.

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 plan is designed to educate teachers on the benefits of trauma-informed approaches in the classroom. By understanding and implementing these strategies, teachers can create a supportive and nurturing environment that enhances student learning and well-being. This lesson will help teachers recognize the impact of trauma on students and equip them with practical tools to foster a positive classroom atmosphere.

This lesson plan is designed to help students in grades 2-5 identify their personal triggers for anxiety and develop effective coping skills. Through a series of eight 30-minute sessions, students will engage in experiential and game-based learning activities, discussions, and collaborative exercises. This lesson is important as it empowers students with the tools to manage anxiety, promoting emotional well-being and resilience.

This three-session lesson is designed to help an anxious third grader develop effective coping skills, identify and overcome barriers, and improve communication and listening skills. Through engaging discussions and activities, the student will learn to manage anxiety and stress, empowering them with strategies to handle challenging situations. Each session is 15 minutes long, focusing on individual support for a student with undiagnosed anxiety.

This lesson helps 5th grade students learn how to manage anxiety through active learning. Students will engage in a discussion to understand what anxiety is and how it affects them, followed by a worksheet activity to practice anxiety management techniques. This lesson is important as it equips students with practical skills to handle stress and anxiety, promoting emotional well-being and resilience.

This individual lesson is designed for a 4th-grade boy with an IEP, focusing on strategies to decrease worry. In just 10 minutes, the session will empower the student to manage anxious thoughts through engaging activities and games, helping him build confidence and emotional resilience.

This lesson focuses on helping a 4th-grade boy with trauma learn to manage his emotions through game-based learning and trauma-informed teaching. By using a video and interactive activities, the lesson aims to teach the student how to identify emotions, think about coping skills, and practice these skills in a supportive environment. This approach is crucial for building emotional resilience and providing the student with tools to handle challenging situations.

In this lesson, students will be introduced to the role of a school counselor. They will participate in an interactive game and discussion to understand how a counselor helps students. This lesson aims to make students comfortable with the counselor and know who to approach when they need help.

In this one-session, 30-minute individual lesson, 5th graders learn healthy ways to cope with grief and loss through expressive activities and reflection. This lesson provides a safe space to acknowledge feelings, share memories, and develop personal coping strategies.

This 3-session lesson for 1st graders focuses on helping students understand and cope with grief and loss. Through engaging activities, games, and discussions, students will learn to express their feelings and develop empathy. Each session lasts 30 minutes and is designed to provide individual support, making it suitable for Tier 3 interventions.

This lesson aims to help a 5th grader understand and transform negative thoughts into positive ones. Through a combination of inquiry-based learning and active learning strategies, the student will explore how thoughts influence emotions and behaviors. This lesson is important as it equips the student with tools to manage their thoughts, promoting emotional well-being and resilience.

A small-group, trauma-focused discussion framework for 7th graders that uses guided story sharing, active listening, and safe-ground rules to foster emotional processing and peer support. This Tier 2 lesson spans one 40-minute session and equips students with practical skills to share, listen, and connect in a structured, caring environment.

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 helps 3rd grade girls understand and manage anxiety at school through engaging activities and discussions. By using game-based learning and experiential exercises, students will learn practical strategies to cope with anxiety, fostering a supportive and understanding classroom environment. This lesson is crucial for building emotional resilience and promoting mental well-being among young students.

This whole-class lesson explores how trauma affects behavior and learning, helping students recognize responses and build empathy. It's crucial for creating a trauma-informed classroom climate. Audience: 6th grade, 1 session (45 minutes).

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 one-session, 30-minute lesson, 7th-grade students will explore healthy ways to understand and cope with grief. They’ll learn emotional vocabulary, share experiences in a safe space, and develop personal coping strategies. This Tier 1 lesson fosters social-emotional wellness and equips all students with tools for real-life challenges.

This individualized support guide equips a 7th grade student with personalized coping strategies and crisis response steps to build resilience and emotional regulation. Through targeted coaching and self-reflection activities in one 20-minute session, the student will develop a practical toolkit for managing stress and anxiety

This lesson aims to introduce Grade 6 students to the school's counseling services. It helps students understand the role of the counselor and the type of support they can provide. The lesson is essential for fostering a supportive school environment where students feel comfortable seeking help when needed.

A guided individual counseling session using open-ended questions and reflective exercises to help a student articulate and manage emotions. This Tier 3 session is designed for an 8th grade student and takes 30 minutes, focusing on individual counseling techniques to foster self-awareness and emotional regulation.

This lesson introduces 5th grade students to coping skills for managing anxiety through active and collaborative learning. Students will engage in a project-based activity to explore different coping strategies, participate in a discussion to share personal experiences, and complete a worksheet to reinforce their understanding. This lesson is important as it equips students with practical tools to handle anxiety, promoting emotional well-being and resilience.

This lesson aims to create a safe and supportive environment for 3rd-grade students, helping them feel more comfortable and reducing instances of crying during school. By using trauma-informed teaching strategies, the lesson will focus on understanding emotions and building a sense of security. This is important as it fosters a positive learning environment and supports students' emotional well-being.

This lesson introduces 6th-grade students to effective coping strategies for managing anxiety. Through experiential learning and trauma-informed teaching, students will engage in activities that help them understand and practice these strategies in a supportive environment. This lesson is crucial for building resilience and emotional regulation skills, which are essential for students' overall well-being and academic success.

In this lesson, students will learn about managing anxiety by creating their own worry monster. This creative activity helps students externalize their worries and provides a tangible way to express and manage their feelings. The lesson includes a video to introduce the concept, a hands-on activity to create the worry monster, and a discussion to reflect on the experience. This approach encourages emotional expression and provides students with a tool to cope with anxiety.

This 2-session individual Tier 3 lesson helps second graders recognize and name stress and fear—especially in situations like moving or immigration—and practice two key coping strategies (deep breathing and talking through worries). Learners will engage with an illustrated story, guided discussions, role-play, and drawing activities in two 15-minute sessions.

A 30-minute individual support session guiding 8th graders through understanding and coping with grief. This session helps students recognize grief emotions, learn healthy coping strategies, and create personal action plans for emotional support. Appropriate for Tier 3 one-on-one counseling.

This lesson aims to help 4th-grade students understand and manage anxiety and compulsive behaviors through experiential and active learning. By engaging in a short reading, completing a worksheet, and reflecting through an exit ticket, students will learn practical strategies to calm their minds and focus their thoughts. This lesson is important as it equips students with tools to handle stress and anxiety, promoting mental well-being and a positive learning environment.

This lesson aims to help a 7th grade boy reduce anxiety through engaging activities and visual aids. By incorporating game-based and experiential learning strategies, the lesson will provide practical tools and techniques to manage anxiety effectively. This approach is crucial for building resilience and promoting mental well-being in middle school students.

This lesson is designed for a 3rd-grade student in an individual counseling setting. The goal is to help the student identify what they need to feel comfortable and successful when facing a perceived school challenge. This is important as it empowers the student to articulate their needs, fostering self-awareness and self-advocacy skills.

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 focuses on helping a 4th-grade girl understand and manage anxiety through experiential and inquiry-based learning. The lesson includes a discussion on anxiety and a video that demonstrates controlled breathing techniques. This lesson is important as it equips students with practical tools to manage anxiety, promoting emotional well-being and resilience.

In this lesson, 3rd-grade students will learn strategies to manage anxiety through engaging activities and discussions. This lesson is crucial as it equips young learners with tools to handle stress and emotions, fostering emotional resilience and well-being.

This lesson introduces 4th graders to the concept of intrusive thoughts and how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help manage them. Through experiential learning and collaborative activities, students will explore examples of intrusive thoughts and discuss strategies to cope with them. This lesson is important as it helps students understand their thoughts and emotions, promoting mental health awareness and emotional regulation.

Students will get to know the school counselor, understand their role, and learn how they can help. The session includes a fun ice-breaker game and a Q&A segment. This lesson is important because it builds a positive relationship between students and the counselor, making them more likely to seek help when needed.

In this one-on-one session, an 8th-grade student will learn healthy strategies to recognize self-harm triggers, practice coping skills, and build a personalized safety plan. This Tier 3 intervention empowers the student to manage difficult emotions and reduce self-harm urges—crucial for their well-being and resilience.

In this one-session, 30-minute Tier 1 lesson, 7th graders will learn about the process of ending counseling support, reflect on their progress, and create plans for maintaining well-being. This lesson builds emotional awareness and empowers students to transition from school counseling services.

This lesson is designed to help a 10th-grade student develop and implement personalized coping strategies to manage anxiety related to attending school. Through a combination of discussion, activity, and quiz, the student will explore their feelings, create actionable strategies, and assess their understanding. This lesson is important as it empowers the student to overcome barriers and improve their ability to complete assigned tasks.

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.