Lesson Plan
One-Session Intervention Plan
Guide caregivers through understanding their stepson’s depression and gambling, establishing healthy boundaries, and applying evidence-based coping strategies to foster hope and reduce risky behaviors.
Targeted, one-on-one support equips caregivers with practical tools and clear action plans, strengthening family relationships and promoting recovery in an individual Tier 3 intervention.
Audience
Adults (Caregivers of at-risk youth)
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive psychoeducation with collaborative strategy building
Prep
Review and Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print enough copies of Behavior Monitoring Form and Safety Plan Template for note-taking and planning.
- Review the content and talking points in Communication Strategies Handout and Coping Skills Toolkit.
- Familiarize yourself with local services listed in Community Resource Guide.
- Arrange a private, comfortable space free from interruptions.
Step 1
1. Establish Rapport
5 minutes
- Welcome the caregiver and set a collaborative tone.
- Outline the session’s goals: understand the stepson’s challenges, identify coping options, and create a concrete action plan.
- Emphasize confidentiality and partnership.
Step 2
2. Assess Current Situation
5 minutes
- Use the Behavior Monitoring Form to review recent mood shifts, gambling incidents, and triggers.
- Ask open-ended questions: “What tends to precede his low moods or urges to gamble?”
- Note patterns together.
Step 3
3. Brief Psychoeducation
5 minutes
- Explain core features of depression and gambling addiction in lay terms.
- Highlight the importance of healthy coping vs. risky behaviors using Communication Strategies Handout.
- Check understanding and answer questions.
Step 4
4. Strategy Development
10 minutes
- Review adaptive coping options from the Coping Skills Toolkit and select 2–3 skills fitting the stepson’s interests.
- Role-play communication techniques (e.g., active listening, “I” statements) using scenarios from the Communication Strategies Handout.
- Co-create a personalized crisis response using the Safety Plan Template: early warning signs, coping steps, and emergency contacts.
Step 5
5. Action Planning & Resources
5 minutes
- Finalize the Safety Plan Template. Ensure the caregiver feels confident implementing it.
- Provide the Community Resource Guide for counseling, support groups, and crisis lines.
- Agree on next steps: ongoing monitoring with the Behavior Monitoring Form and scheduling follow-up support if needed.
- Encourage the caregiver to reach out for help promptly and reinforce hope.
Slide Deck
Breaking the Cycle
A one‐session, 30‐minute individual intervention to support caregivers of a stepson facing depression and gambling challenges.
Objectives:
• Understand the problem
• Learn evidence‐based strategies
• Build a concrete action plan
Welcome participants, introduce yourself as the facilitator. Briefly explain the session’s purpose.
Session Agenda
- Establish Rapport (5 min)
- Assess Current Situation (5 min)
- Psychoeducation (5 min)
- Strategy Development (10 min)
- Action Planning & Resources (5 min)
Walk through the agenda and time allocation to set expectations.
Understanding the Challenge
• Depression: persistent low mood, loss of interest, changes in sleep/appetite
• Gambling addiction: uncontrollable urges, chasing losses, financial/legal consequences
Why it matters: Depression can trigger gambling as an escape, and losses can deepen depressive feelings.
Define depression and gambling addiction in simple terms, stressing how they can interact and worsen each other.
Assessing the Current Situation
Use the Behavior Monitoring Form to:
• Review recent mood shifts and gambling incidents
• Identify common triggers and warning signs
• Note patterns together to inform our strategy
Introduce the Behavior Monitoring Form and guide the caregiver through completing it.
Brief Psychoeducation
• Healthy coping: exercise, hobbies, social support, mindfulness
• Risky coping: gambling, substance use, isolation
Use the Communication Strategies Handout to talk compassionately, set boundaries, and reinforce positive behaviors.
Explain simple behavioral concepts: healthy vs. risky coping. Emphasize partnership and checking for understanding.
Developing Adaptive Strategies
- Review options in the Coping Skills Toolkit
- Choose 2–3 activities the stepson is likely to try (e.g., physical activity, creative outlets)
- Plan when and how to introduce each skill
Discuss how to reinforce successes and troubleshoot obstacles.
Guide the caregiver through selecting skills from the toolkit and discuss tailoring to the stepson’s interests.
Role‐Play Communication Techniques
• Practice active listening: reflect and validate feelings
• Use “I” statements: e.g., “I feel worried when…”
• Role‐play a scenario from the handout to build confidence
Facilitate a short role‐play. Model an “I” statement and let the caregiver practice active listening.
Co‐Create a Safety Plan
Complete the Safety Plan Template:
• Early warning signs
• Coping steps and distractions
• Emergency contacts and crisis numbers
Ensure the plan is clear, accessible, and displayed at home.
Support the caregiver in filling out each section of the safety plan template.
Resources & Next Steps
• Keep monitoring with the Behavior Monitoring Form
• Contact local services in the Community Resource Guide
• Schedule follow‐up support if needed
Encourage prompt use of resources at the first sign of crisis.
Point out key resources, stress the importance of follow‐up and ongoing monitoring.
Closing & Encouragement
Thank you for your commitment and partnership.
You have:
• A clear understanding of the challenge
• Practical coping strategies
• A personalized safety plan
You’re not alone—help is available, and change is possible.
Close on a hopeful note, reinforce caregiver strengths, and invite final questions.
Worksheet
Behavior Monitoring Form
Use this form to track your stepson’s moods, identify gambling triggers, and note effective coping responses. Complete one row for each day or incident.
| Date | Mood (1–10) | Trigger / Preceding Events | Response / Coping Strategy Used | Notes / Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Additional reflections or patterns you notice over time:
Worksheet
Communication Strategies Handout
Active Listening
- Give your full attention (maintain eye contact, nod to show you’re listening)
Avoid distractions (put phone away, close other tabs)
- Reflect and validate: “It sounds like you felt…”
- Ask open-ended questions: “How did that make you feel?”
- Pause and allow silence so they can gather their thoughts
Practice: Write two reflective statements you might use:
1. _________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________
I-Statements
- Structure: I feel [emotion] when [specific behavior] because [reason]
- Focus on your own feelings—avoid blaming language
- Keep it brief and specific
Example: “I feel worried when I see you spending extra time at the casino because I care about your well-being.”
Practice: Write an I-statement for approaching your stepson about gambling:
_________________________________________________________
Setting Boundaries
- Be clear and specific: “I need you to…” or “I expect that you will…”
- State the consequence calmly and follow through if boundary is crossed
- Use a respectful but firm tone (“I care about you, and I also need…”)
List one boundary you want to set with your stepson:
_________________________________________________________
Compassionate Phrases
- “I’m here for you if you want to talk.”
- “You don’t have to face this alone.”
- “What I hear you saying is…”
- “Thank you for trusting me with this.”
Reflection: How will you use these phrases in a conversation with your stepson?
Worksheet
Safety Plan Template
Use this template to create a clear, step-by-step plan your stepson can follow when he’s feeling overwhelmed or tempted to gamble. Fill in each section together and post the completed plan in a visible place at home.
1. Early Warning Signs
List thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that signal increased distress or urge to gamble:
- _________________________________________________________
2. Internal Coping Strategies (Use These First)
Activities he can do on his own to help calm down or distract himself:
- _______________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________
4. _______________________________________________________
5. _______________________________________________________
3. People & Social Settings for Support
List friends, family members, or places he can go to feel safe or distracted:
- Name: __________________________ Relationship: ___________ Contact: ____________
- Name: __________________________ Relationship: ___________ Contact: ____________
- Safe place or group: ____________________________________
4. Professional & Emergency Contacts
Who to call if the plan above isn’t enough or in a crisis:
- Therapist / Counselor: ____________________ Phone: ____________
- 24/7 Crisis Hotline: ____________________ Phone: ____________
- Emergency Services (911 or local equivalent): ____________
5. Environment & Means Reduction
Steps to limit access to gambling or risky behaviors:
- Remove / secure cash, credit cards, or gambling apps from home
_________________________________________________________ - Identify and remove triggers (e.g., block gambling websites, avoid certain places)
_________________________________________________________
6. Follow-Up & Review
Plan a time to review and update this safety plan together:
- Next review date: ________________ Time: ________________
Worksheet
Coping Skills Toolkit
Use this toolkit to identify and practice adaptive coping strategies. Review each category, pick 2–3 skills that fit your stepson’s interests, and plan how to implement them.
1. Physical Activities
- Examples: walking, jogging, cycling, sports, dance
Plan: _______________________________________________________
2. Mindfulness & Relaxation
- Examples: deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided meditation, yoga
Plan: _______________________________________________________
3. Creative & Expressive Outlets
- Examples: drawing, painting, playing music, journaling, writing
Plan: _______________________________________________________
4. Social Connection & Support
- Examples: calling a friend, family game night, support group, club/activity
Plan: _______________________________________________________
5. Pleasant Scheduling & Structure
- Examples: planning a fun outing, setting a daily routine, scheduling hobby time
Plan: _______________________________________________________
Reflection: Which 2–3 skills will you choose to introduce first?
_________________________________________________________
Worksheet
Community Resource Guide
Use this guide to list local resources that can support your stepson and your family. Fill in details for each category.
1. Counseling & Therapy Services
- Provider / Agency: ____________________________
- Contact Person: ______________________________ Phone: ________________
- Address / Online Link: __________________________________________________
- Accepted Insurance / Fees: ______________________________________________
- Notes on Services Offered:
2. Peer & Support Groups
- Group Name: __________________________________
- Facilitator / Organization: ____________________
- Meeting Times / Location: _____________________
- Contact / Sign-Up Info: ________________________
- Group Focus / Format:
3. 24/7 Crisis Hotlines & Emergency Contacts
- National Crisis Hotline: ______________________ Phone: ________________
- Local Crisis Line: ____________________________ Phone: ________________
- Emergency Services (e.g., 911): _________________________________________
- Mobile Crisis Team / Walk-In Clinics: _____________________________________
4. Financial & Legal Assistance
- Agency / Program: ____________________________
- Services Offered (e.g., debt counseling, emergency funds): _______________
- Eligibility Criteria: _________________________
- Contact Person / Phone: ______________________
- Application Process / Deadlines:
5. Other Community Supports
(List any additional resources such as housing assistance, transportation, faith-based supports, youth activities, etc.)
- Resource Name: ______________________________
- Organization / Contact: _______________________
- Description of Service:
Tip: Keep this guide visible at home. Update contact details regularly and share with your stepson so he knows where to turn when he needs help.