Feeling Check-In

Welcome, Emotion Engineers! To get us started today, let's do a quick 'Feeling Check-In.'

What's one feeling you're bringing to our group today, and why?

Share it in one word or a short phrase. It's okay if it's a happy feeling, a calm feeling, or even a tricky feeling. There are no right or wrong answers!

Emotion Map & Coping Crew Activity

Let's put our Emotion Engineer skills to work! We're going to think about some situations and figure out the feelings, triggers, and what we can do.

Part 1: Scenario Spotlight

Read each scenario. On your Emotion & Coping Worksheet, identify the feelings involved and what might have triggered them. Then, think of a healthy coping strategy.

Scenario 1: Group Project Mix-Up

You are working on a group project for science class. Everyone was supposed to do a part, but one of your teammates hasn't done anything. The presentation is tomorrow, and you feel a knot in your stomach and your face feels hot.

• What feelings might you be experiencing?
• What was the trigger for these feelings?
• What is one coping strategy you could use to calm down?

Scenario 2: Lunchtime Blues

You walk into the cafeteria and see a group of your friends laughing. You go to join them, but they suddenly get quiet and turn away. You feel your shoulders slump and a bit of a sting in your chest.

• What feelings might you be experiencing?
• What was the trigger for these feelings?
• What is one coping strategy you could use to help yourself feel a bit better?

Part 2: Connection Builders Practice

Now, let's think about how to use our communication skills in these situations.

Scenario 1 (continued): How do you talk to your teammate?

• How could you initiate a conversation with your teammate about the project? (Think about using a greeting, relevant question, and appropriate language.)
• How would you actively listen to their response?

Scenario 2 (continued): How do you approach your friends?

• How could you initiate a conversation with your friends to understand what happened?
• What kind of questions could you ask that are relevant and respectful?

My Coping Strategy Cool-Down

Great work today, Emotion Engineers! Before we finish, let's think about what we'll take with us.

Think about one coping strategy you learned or discussed today. How can you use it in your daily life this week when you face a tricky feeling?

Write it down or just think about it quietly. Sharing is optional!

Group Counseling Discussion Guide: Emotion Engineers

Use these prompts throughout the session to facilitate discussion and encourage student engagement.

Introduction & Warm-Up

• "What does it mean to be an 'Emotion Engineer'? Why is it important to understand our feelings?"
• "How do you know what someone else is feeling? What clues do you look for?"

Our Feelings Palette & Trigger Tracker

• "Can anyone name a feeling they sometimes find hard to manage? Why is it tricky?"
• "What are some common 'triggers' for feelings like anger or frustration?"
• "Have you ever felt a strong emotion and not known why? How did that feel?"
• "Is it okay to feel angry? What's the difference between feeling angry and acting angry?"

Coping Crew: Strategies for Tricky Feelings

• "What are some of your go-to coping strategies when you feel stressed or upset?"
• "What's a new coping strategy you heard today that you might want to try?"
• "Who are some trusted adults you could talk to if you're having a really hard time?"
• "Why is it important to choose healthy coping strategies? What happens if we use unhealthy ones?"

Connection Builders: How to Talk with Friends

• "Why is active listening important when your friend is talking?"
• "What does it mean to respond 'on topic'? Can you give an example?"
• "If you want to start a conversation with someone you don't know well, what's a good way to begin?"
• "How can using 'appropriate language' help you solve a problem with a friend?"
• "Has anyone ever had a conversation where they felt unheard? How did that make you feel?"

Practice Zone: Scenario Debrief

• After each scenario discussion in the activity:
  • "Was it easy or hard to identify the feelings/triggers in that situation? Why?"
  • "What was the most challenging part of figuring out the coping or communication strategy?"
  • "What would be the first step you'd take in a real-life situation like that?"

Cool-Down & Reflection

• "What's one big idea or skill you're taking away from today's session?"
• "How do you think practicing these skills will help you build stronger connections with your peers?"
• "What's something you feel more confident about after our discussion today?"

Emotion Engineer's Toolkit: Feelings, Triggers, & Coping

Name: ____________________________ Date: ________

Part 1: My Feelings Palette

Think about different feelings you experience. For each category, write down two feelings.

• Happy Feelings:
  
  
  
• Sad Feelings:
  
  
  
• Mad/Frustrated Feelings:
  
  
  
• Worried/Scared Feelings:
  
  
  

Part 2: Trigger Tracker

A 'trigger' is something that happens that makes you feel a strong emotion. Think about a time you felt a strong negative emotion (like mad, frustrated, or anxious).

1. What was the feeling?
   
   
   
2. What happened just before you felt that way? (What was the trigger?)
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 3: My Coping Crew

Coping strategies are healthy ways to manage strong feelings. List three healthy coping strategies you can use when you feel a tricky emotion.

Part 4: Building Connections

How can you use your words and actions to make conversations with friends better? Write down one idea for each.

• Starting a conversation:
  
  
  
• Listening to a friend:
  
  
  
• When you disagree with a friend:
  
  
  

Counseling Session Script: Emotion Engineers

(Counselor's Note: Display Emotion Engineers Slide Deck throughout the session.)

I. Warm-Up: Feeling Check-In (5 minutes)

"Hello, everyone, and welcome to our Emotion Engineers workshop! Today, we're going on an adventure to understand our feelings better and build stronger connections with our friends. To start, let's do a quick 'Feeling Check-In.'"

"Think about one feeling you're bringing to our group today. It could be happy, calm, excited, or even a tricky feeling like a little nervous or tired. There are no right or wrong answers. When it's your turn, please share one feeling you have right now, and if you feel comfortable, tell us why."

(Counselor: Go around the circle, making sure everyone has a chance to share. Validate each student's feeling: "Thanks for sharing, [Student Name]. It's totally okay to feel that way." Encourage active listening among peers.)

II. Introduction: Emotion Engineers (3 minutes)

(Counselor: Move to Slide 1: 'Emotion Engineers: Building Stronger Connections!')

"That was a great start! Today, we're going to become 'Emotion Engineers.' Just like engineers build bridges and buildings, we're going to learn how to build strong emotional foundations and amazing connections with others."

(Counselor: Move to Slide 2: 'Today's Mission: What We'll Learn')

"Our mission today has a few important parts: We'll learn to understand and name different emotions, figure out what 'triggers' our strong feelings, discover cool ways to handle tricky feelings – we call these 'coping strategies' – and practice talking nicely and clearly with our friends. These are super important skills for school, home, and everywhere in between!"

III. Activity 1: Our Feelings Palette & Trigger Tracker (8 minutes)

(Counselor: Move to Slide 3: 'Our Feelings Palette: Exploring Different Emotions')

"First, let's look at our 'Feelings Palette.' We talked about many feelings during our check-in. Can anyone name another feeling? (Pause for responses). That's right! We have so many feelings, and they're all a normal part of being human. It's like having a big box of crayons, each color representing a different feeling."

(Counselor: Distribute the Emotion & Coping Worksheet.)

"Now, take a look at the first part of your worksheet, 'My Feelings Palette.' Take a moment to write down some feelings in each category: happy, sad, mad/frustrated, and worried/scared. These are common feelings we all experience."

(Counselor: Give students a minute to write. Then, move to Slide 4: 'Trigger Tracker: What Makes Our Feelings Strong?')

"Next, let's talk about 'Trigger Trackers.' Has anyone ever heard the word 'trigger' before? What do you think it means in this situation? (Allow responses.)"

"You're right! A trigger is like a switch that turns on a strong feeling. It's something that happens that makes us feel a certain way. It could be a word someone says, an action, or a whole situation. For example, if someone calls you a name, that might trigger feelings of sadness or anger. Or if you get a good grade, that might trigger feelings of happiness and pride."

"Knowing our triggers is powerful because it helps us understand why we're feeling a certain way and allows us to be prepared. On your worksheet, in 'Part 2: Trigger Tracker,' I want you to think about a time you felt a strong negative emotion – maybe mad, frustrated, or anxious. What was the feeling, and what happened just before you felt that way? Write down the feeling and what you think triggered it."

(Counselor: Facilitate a brief group discussion using prompts from the Group Counseling Discussion Guide, e.g., "What are some common triggers for frustration or anger?")

IV. Activity 2: Coping Crew & Connection Builders (8 minutes)

(Counselor: Move to Slide 5: 'Coping Crew: Strategies for Tricky Feelings')

"When those big, tricky feelings get activated by a trigger, what can we do? That's where our 'Coping Crew' comes in! Coping strategies are healthy ways to manage strong or negative feelings so they don't take over. They help us calm down or feel better."

"What are some things you do to calm down when you feel upset or angry? (Brainstorm with students. Provide examples like deep breaths, counting to ten, talking to a trusted adult, taking a break, drawing, listening to music.)"

"On your worksheet, in 'Part 3: My Coping Crew,' list three healthy coping strategies you can use when you feel a tricky emotion."

(Counselor: Move to Slide 6: 'Connection Builders: How to Talk with Friends')

"Now, let's think about how we connect with others. Good communication is like building a strong bridge in our friendships. What are some ways we can talk to our friends to build those strong connections?"

"Let's think about initiating conversations. Lucas, for example, is working on this. What's a friendly way to start talking to someone? (Prompt: a greeting, a relevant question). What about active listening? Why is it important to really listen when someone else is talking? (Prompt: looking at them, nodding, not interrupting). And responding on topic – why is it helpful to keep our comments related to what our friend is talking about?"

"Lastly, using appropriate language means using kind and respectful words, even when we're feeling upset. How can using kind words help us solve problems with friends instead of making them worse?"

(Counselor: Move to Slide 7: 'Practice Zone: Scenario Time!')

"Alright, Emotion Engineers, let's put our skills to the test with some scenarios! Turn to 'Part 4: Building Connections' on your worksheet. We'll discuss these together."

(Counselor: Present Scenario 1 from the Emotion Map & Coping Crew Activity. Guide discussion focusing on feelings, triggers, coping strategies, and then communication. Then, present Scenario 2, doing the same.)

"Great job everyone, those were some thoughtful ideas!"

V. Discussion & Wrap-Up (4 minutes)

(Counselor: Facilitate a brief discussion using prompts from the Group Counseling Discussion Guide, such as: "What's one new thing you learned about feelings or talking with friends today?" or "How do you think practicing these skills will help you?")

(Counselor: Move to Slide 8: 'Mission Accomplished! Next Steps...')

"You've done an amazing job today, Emotion Engineers! You've learned valuable tools for managing your feelings and connecting with others. Remember, these are skills that get stronger with practice."

(Counselor: Conclude with the My Coping Strategy Cool-Down.)

"For our cool-down, I'd like you all to quietly think about one coping strategy you learned or discussed today. How can you use it this week when you face a tricky feeling? You can write it down on your worksheet or just keep it in your mind. Sharing is optional for this one."

"Thank you all for being such wonderful Emotion Engineers today! Keep practicing these important skills."