Lesson Plan
Session 1 Lesson Plan
Introduce self-harm awareness and build rapport in a safe one-on-one setting; student will articulate a personal definition of self-harm and identify an emotion that could lead to it.
Setting a shared understanding of self-harm and establishing trust are critical first steps toward open dialogue and future coping-strategy work.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Familiarize With Session Resources
5 minutes
Step 1
Build Rapport
3 minutes
Step 2
Define Self-Harm
4 minutes
Step 3
Emotion Exploration
5 minutes
Step 4
Introduce Healthy Coping Strategies
3 minutes
Script
Lesson Plan
Session 2 Lesson Plan
Help the student recognize personal self-harm triggers and co-create a brief safety plan; student will list at least three triggers and complete a personalized safety plan template.
Understanding individual triggers empowers students to anticipate distress and use coping options proactively; a written safety plan provides clear next steps when urges arise.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Session Materials
5 minutes
Step 1
Recap and Check-In
3 minutes
Step 2
Introduce Triggers Concept
2 minutes
Step 3
Identify Personal Triggers
5 minutes
Step 4
Develop Safety Plan
4 minutes
Step 5
Close and Next Steps
1 minute
Script
Lesson Plan
Session 3 Lesson Plan
Expand the student’s coping toolkit by introducing and practicing new healthy strategies; student will experience mindfulness and identify one additional strategy to use.
Offering varied coping options and guided practice empowers students to manage distress in the moment and build confidence in using healthy alternatives to self-harm.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Session 3 Materials
5 minutes
Step 1
Recap and Check-In
3 minutes
Step 2
Introduce Additional Coping Strategies
4 minutes
Step 3
Guided Mindfulness Practice
5 minutes
Step 4
Strategy Selection & Planning
2 minutes
Step 5
Closing & Next Steps
1 minute
Script
Lesson Plan
Session 4 Lesson Plan
Enable the student to identify and document negative thoughts using a structured sheet and practice reframing one thought; student will complete a thought record and reframe at least one negative thought.
Cognitive reframing helps students challenge distressing thoughts, reducing emotional intensity and enhancing long-term emotional resilience.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Prepare Session 4 Materials
5 minutes
Step 1
Recap & Check-In
3 minutes
Step 2
Introduce Cognitive Reframing
2 minutes
Step 3
Thought Record Exercise
4 minutes
Step 4
Cognitive Reframing Practice
4 minutes
Step 5
Consolidation & Next Steps
2 minutes
Script
