Lesson Plan
Counseling Unlocked Lesson Plan
Introduce students to counseling by defining its purpose and roles, practicing active listening, and engaging in a mock counseling scenario to build empathy and communication skills.
This lesson normalizes seeking support, teaches social-emotional vocabulary, and equips students with active listening and communication strategies essential for their well-being and peer relationships.
Audience
6th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussions, hands-on activities, and role-play.
Materials
Prep
Review Lesson Materials
10 minutes
- Familiarize yourself with the flow of the Counseling Unlocked Lesson Plan.
- Print or ensure digital access to the Counseling Terms Handout, Active Listening Worksheet, and Mock Counseling Role-Play Cards.
- Arrange seating for pairs and small groups, creating a welcoming space for open discussion.
Step 1
Introduction to Counseling
5 minutes
- Greet students and introduce the topic: "What is counseling?"
- Prompt: “What comes to mind when you hear ‘counselor’ or ‘counseling’?” Record responses on the board.
- Explain that counselors are trained listeners who help people talk through feelings and solve problems.
Step 2
Exploring Key Terms
7 minutes
- Distribute the Counseling Terms Handout.
- Review terms (counselor, active listening, empathy, confidentiality) together.
- Ask volunteers to share examples of each term in everyday life and clarify as needed.
Step 3
Active Listening Activity
8 minutes
- Pair students and give each pair an Active Listening Worksheet.
- Role A shares a brief story or feeling prompt while Role B practices active listening (eye contact, nodding, summarizing).
- After 3 minutes, switch roles and repeat.
- Debrief: “What listening behaviors helped you feel heard?”
Step 4
Mock Counseling Role-Play
8 minutes
- Form groups of three: one counselor, one client, one observer.
- Distribute Mock Counseling Role-Play Cards so each role has a prompt.
- Counselors practice opening the session, asking open-ended questions, and summarizing; observers note strengths and suggestions.
- After 4 minutes, rotate roles so each student practices as counselor, client, and observer.
Step 5
Reflect and Close
2 minutes
- Invite students to share one insight or skill they practiced today.
- Reinforce that talking and listening are important ways to support friends and seek help.
- Thank students and remind them they can always talk with a trusted adult if they need support.
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Slide Deck
Counseling Unlocked
An interactive introduction to counseling
• For 6th Grade Students
• 30-minute lesson
Let’s learn how talking and listening can help!
(Slide 1 – 1 min)
Welcome everyone! Introduce yourself and today’s topic: “Counseling Unlocked.” Explain that we’ll explore what counseling is, learn key words, practice listening, and do a fun role-play.
What Is Counseling?
Counseling is when someone talks with a trained listener (a counselor) to share feelings, solve problems, and get support.
Prompt:
“What do you think a counselor does?”
(Slide 2 – 5 min)
Ask: “What comes to mind when you hear ‘counseling’ or ‘counselor’?” Record quick responses on the board. Then share a simple definition and explain a counselor’s role.
Key Terms
• Counselor: A trained listener who helps people talk through feelings.
• Active Listening: Paying full attention and responding so someone feels heard.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing another person’s feelings.
• Confidentiality: Keeping what someone shares private (unless safety is at risk).
(Slide 3 – 7 min)
Hand out the Counseling Terms Handout. Review each term, ask for student examples, and clarify meaning.
Active Listening
Active listening means:
• Making eye contact
• Nodding or giving small verbal cues (“uh-huh,” “I see”)
• Summarizing what you heard (“So you felt…”)
(Slide 4 – 8 min)
Explain what active listening looks like. Model behaviors (eye contact, nodding, paraphrasing) and ask students to notice.
Active Listening Activity
- Pair up (Role A & Role B).
- Role A shares a short story or feeling.
- Role B practices active listening behaviors.
- After 3 min, switch roles.
Debrief: What helped you feel heard?
(Slide 5 – 8 min)
Pair up students. Give each pair the Active Listening Worksheet. Role A shares; Role B listens. Switch after 3 minutes. Circulate and give feedback.
Mock Counseling Role-Play
- Groups of 3: Counselor, Client, Observer.
- Follow your role card prompt.
- Counselor: Ask open questions and summarize.
- Observer: Note strengths & suggestions.
- After 4 min, rotate roles.
(Slide 6 – 8 min)
Divide students into triads. Distribute Mock Counseling Role-Play Cards. Explain roles (counselor, client, observer). Rotate after 4 minutes.
Reflect & Close
• Share one thing you learned or practiced today.
• Remember: Talking and listening are powerful ways to help friends and yourself.
• You can always talk to a trusted adult.
(Slide 7 – 2 min)
Bring class back together. Ask volunteers to share one insight or skill they practiced. Reinforce the importance of talking and listening to support each other.
Thank You!
Great job today!
If you ever need someone to talk to, reach out to a counselor, teacher, or another trusted adult.
You are not alone.
(Final Slide)
Thank students for participation. Remind them counselors and other trusted adults are here to help whenever they need support.
Worksheet
Counseling Terms Handout
Below are some key counseling terms. Read each definition, then write an example from your own life or observations in the space provided.
1. Counselor
Definition: A trained listener who helps people talk through feelings, solve problems, and find support.
Your Example:
2. Active Listening
Definition: Paying full attention to someone who is speaking, showing you understand by using eye contact, nods, and summarizing what you heard.
Your Example:
3. Empathy
Definition: Understanding and sharing another person’s feelings—putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.
Your Example:
4. Confidentiality
Definition: Keeping what someone shares private and not telling others (unless someone’s safety is at risk).
Your Example:
Worksheet
Active Listening Worksheet
Use this worksheet during the Active Listening Activity in the Counseling Unlocked Lesson Plan.
Part 1: Role A – Speaker & Role B – Listener
- In your pair, decide who is Role A (Speaker) and Role B (Listener).
- Role A, choose one of the topics below (or create your own). Role B, practice active listening.
Speaker Topic Options:
- A time you felt proud.
- A recent challenge at school.
- Your favorite hobby and why.
Your Topic: ________________________________
Speaker shares for 1 minute.
Listener Skills: Check off each as you practice:
- Made eye contact
- Used nods or verbal cues (e.g., “uh-huh,” “I see”)
- Summarized by saying: “So you felt… ”
Summary: ________________________________ - Asked an open-ended question (e.g., “What happened next?”)
Your Question: ____________________________
- After 1 minute, switch roles and repeat the steps above.
Part 2: Reflection
- As a listener, what did you do well?
- What was challenging about listening?
- How did it feel to be listened to?
Part 3: Application
Think of two real-life situations where you could use active listening.
Describe how you would use active listening in one of these situations:
Activity
Mock Counseling Role-Play Cards
Use these cards in the Mock Counseling Role-Play activity. Print and cut so that each student in a triad randomly picks one card.
Counselor Cards (3 cards)
Card 1 – Building Rapport
• Greet your client warmly: “Hi, I’m [Your Name], and I’m here to listen.”
• Ask an open-ended question: “What would you like to talk about today?”
• Give a brief summary of what you hear: “So you’re feeling….”
Card 2 – Exploring Feelings
• Encourage your client to share more: “Can you tell me more about that?”
• Validate their experience: “It sounds like that was really challenging.”
• Check understanding: “So, when that happened, you felt…?”
Card 3 – Problem-Solving Focus
• Ask about possible solutions: “What do you think might help?”
• Offer to brainstorm: “Let’s think of two or three ideas together.”
• Close with support: “Thank you for sharing. What’s one small step you can take?”
Client Cards (3 cards)
Card A – Friendship Conflict
You had a big argument with your best friend yesterday. You feel hurt and aren’t sure how to fix it.
Card B – Academic Stress
You’re worried about an upcoming test in math. You feel overwhelmed and afraid you’ll fail.
Card C – Family Change
Your family is moving to a new house soon. You feel sad to leave your current home and nervous about the change.
Observer Cards (3 cards)
Card X – Active Listening Checklist
• Did the counselor make eye contact?
• Did they use nods or verbal cues (“uh-huh,” “I see”)?
• Did they paraphrase or summarize what the client said?
Card Y – Question Quality
• Count how many open-ended questions the counselor asked.
• Note any closed questions (yes/no) and suggest one open-ended alternative.
Card Z – Strength & Suggestion
• Identify one strength in the counselor’s approach (e.g., empathy, clarity).
• Offer one constructive suggestion for improvement.
Instructions for Triads:
- Each student draws one card (Counselor, Client, or Observer).
- Spend 4 minutes in your roles: Counselor leads, Client shares, Observer takes notes.
- Rotate so each student practices all three roles.