Lesson Plan
Brush Away Stress
Enable teens to identify and label their emotions, learn ACT-based coping strategies, and express their feelings through a brief art activity, culminating in a personalized coping plan.
Teaching emotional regulation and coping skills empowers teens to manage stress, build self-awareness, and foster resilience.
Audience
High School Students (Teens)
Time
25 minutes
Approach
Emotion ID, ACT strategies, art expression.
Materials
Art Supplies (Paper, Paints, Brushes), Emotion Wheel Handout, Coping Strategy Reflection Sheet, and Timer or Clock
Prep
Prepare Materials and Space
5 minutes
- Gather art supplies (paper, paints, brushes) and set them on a small table or tray.
- Print copies of the Emotion Wheel Handout.
- Print copies of the Coping Strategy Reflection Sheet.
- Set up a timer or ensure a visible clock is available.
- Review basic ACT concepts (acceptance, defusion, values).
Step 1
Welcome & Session Overview
3 minutes
- Greet the student and explain the 25-minute individual session focus: identifying emotions, learning ACT coping tools, and expressing feelings through art.
- Briefly outline the session steps and ensure the student feels comfortable.
Step 2
Emotion Identification
5 minutes
- Provide the Emotion Wheel Handout.
- Ask the student to scan the wheel and point out up to three emotions they’ve experienced recently.
- Discuss what events or thoughts triggered each emotion.
Step 3
Introduce ACT Coping Strategies
7 minutes
- Explain three ACT-based strategies: acceptance (allow feelings), defusion (observe without judgment), values-based action (choose meaningful response).
- On the Coping Strategy Reflection Sheet, guide the student to list personal examples for each strategy.
- Confirm student understanding by having them summarize one strategy in their own words.
Step 4
Art Expression Activity
8 minutes
- Give the student art supplies and invite them to create a simple visual representation of one chosen emotion and how they’d apply a coping strategy.
- Encourage colors, shapes, or symbols that resonate with the feeling and the coping action.
- Walk around, offer quiet support, and ask open questions ("What does this color mean to you?").
Step 5
Reflection & Wrap-Up
2 minutes
- Ask the student to share their artwork and describe how the coping strategy appears in it.
- Reinforce that they can use this strategy and visualize the art when emotions arise.
- Remind them to keep the Coping Strategy Reflection Sheet as a tool and practice these techniques daily.
Slide Deck
Brush Away Stress
An individual 25-minute session for teens on identifying emotions, practicing ACT-based coping strategies, and expressing feelings through art.
Welcome the student and set a supportive tone. Explain that today’s 25-minute session will cover identifying emotions, learning ACT coping tools, and creative expression through art.
Emotion Identification
• Review the Emotion Wheel Handout
• Choose up to three emotions you felt recently
• Discuss what events or thoughts triggered each one
Hand the student the Emotion Wheel Handout and guide them to pick up to three emotions. Ask open questions about recent experiences that triggered each emotion.
ACT-Based Coping Strategies
- Acceptance: Notice and allow feelings without fighting them
- Defusion: Observe thoughts/emotions without judgment
- Values-Based Action: Choose responses aligned with what matters most
Introduce each ACT strategy, give real-life examples, and prompt the student to write personal examples on their reflection sheet.
Art Expression Activity
• Select one emotion from the wheel
• Create a visual (color, shape, symbol) showing that emotion
• Incorporate imagery of your chosen coping strategy
• Work freely for 8 minutes
Provide art supplies. Encourage the student to illustrate one chosen emotion and a symbol or color representing how they’ll apply an ACT strategy.
Reflection & Next Steps
• Share your artwork and explain the strategy shown
• Keep the Coping Strategy Reflection Sheet
• Practice these techniques daily when emotions arise
Invite the student to describe their artwork and explain the coping strategy depicted. Emphasize daily practice and using the reflection sheet as a reminder.
Worksheet
Emotion Wheel Handout
Below is a circle of primary emotions. Use this wheel to help you notice and name what you’re feeling.
Joy → Trust → Fear → Surprise → Sadness → Disgust → Anger → Anticipation → (back to Joy)
1. Circle up to three emotions you’ve experienced recently:
2. Reflect on each circled emotion:
Emotion #1: ____________________________
What triggered this emotion?
Emotion #2: ____________________________
What triggered this emotion?
Emotion #3: ____________________________
What triggered this emotion?
3. Rate the intensity of each emotion (1 = very mild, 10 = very strong):
- Emotion #1: __
- Emotion #2: __
- Emotion #3: __
4. Choose one emotion you’d like to explore further in the art activity:
Tip: Keep this handout handy as you move into the next part of the session with art supplies. It will guide you in selecting and expressing a key emotion through color, shape, or symbol.
Worksheet
Coping Strategy Reflection Sheet
Use this sheet to explore three ACT-based coping strategies. Reflect on each strategy and jot down personal examples you can use when emotions run high.
1. Acceptance
Definition: Notice and allow feelings without fighting them.
- Describe a recent moment when you fully allowed yourself to feel an emotion instead of pushing it away:
- How did accepting that emotion help you cope in the moment?
- What reminder or phrase can you use to practice acceptance next time you’re upset?
2. Defusion
Definition: Observe thoughts and emotions without getting tangled up in them.
- Identify a recurring thought or self-talk you often find yourself “fusing” with (e.g., “I’m not good enough”):
- How could you step back and observe this thought without judging it?
- Write a defusion phrase you can use to detach from this thought (e.g., “I notice I’m having the thought that…”):
3. Values-Based Action
Definition: Choose responses aligned with what matters most to you.
- List one personal value that guides you (e.g., kindness, honesty, creativity):
- Describe an action you can take—aligned with this value—when you feel stressed or upset:
- Outline the steps you will follow to commit to this value during challenging moments:
My Personalized Coping Plan
Using acceptance, defusion, and values-based action, write a brief plan for how you will cope the next time you experience strong emotions:
Cool Down
Session Reflection
Take a moment to consolidate what you’ve learned and plan your next steps.
1. Which emotion did you explore and express in your artwork?
2. Which ACT coping strategy felt most meaningful to you today, and why?
3. How can you use your artwork as a reminder to practice this strategy when you feel stressed?
4. What is one specific action you will take this week to follow your personalized coping plan?
Great work today! Keep this reflection as a quick check-in whenever you need to brush away stress.