Lesson Plan

Inner Light Session 1 Lesson Plan

Build rapport with the student while introducing the concept of hope. The student will reflect on positive experiences, articulate their personal definition of hope, and rate their current emotional state using the Emotion Thermometer.

Establishing trust and a shared understanding of hope provides a foundation for reducing self-harm thoughts and building resilience. Early reflection on positive moments helps redirect focus toward future possibilities.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare for Session

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-up

5 minutes

Step 2

Explore Hope Concept

8 minutes

Step 3

Hope Reflection Activity

12 minutes

Step 4

Emotion Identification

5 minutes

Step 5

Reflection and Journal

3 minutes

Step 6

Closing and Next Steps

2 minutes

Discussion

Worksheet

Journal

Lesson Plan

Inner Light Session 2 Lesson Plan

Help the student recognize personal triggers and introduce simple grounding strategies to manage distress. During this session, the student will identify 3–5 common self-harm triggers and practice one grounding technique.

Awareness of triggers empowers the student to anticipate distress and use coping skills before urges escalate. Grounding techniques offer immediate tools to reduce anxiety and self-harm thoughts.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare for Session

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-up & Emotion Rating

5 minutes

Step 2

Review Weekly Goal

3 minutes

Step 3

Discuss Triggers

8 minutes

Step 4

Trigger Identification Activity

12 minutes

Step 5

Introduce Grounding Techniques

5 minutes

Step 6

Reflection & Next Steps

2 minutes

Discussion

Worksheet

Reading

Lesson Plan

Inner Light Session 3 Lesson Plan

Guide the student to expand their personal coping toolbox by identifying diverse strategies and practicing a new self-soothing technique.

Developing a varied set of coping skills enhances the student’s ability to manage distressing thoughts, reduces reliance on self-harm, and builds emotional resilience.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare for Session

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-up & Emotion Check

5 minutes

Step 2

Review Grounding Practice

5 minutes

Step 3

Introduce Coping Toolbox

5 minutes

Step 4

Coping Skills Identification Activity

10 minutes

Step 5

Practice Self-Soothing Technique

7 minutes

Step 6

Reflection & Next Steps

3 minutes

Reading

Discussion

Lesson Plan

Inner Light Session 4 Lesson Plan

Support the student in setting future-focused, realistic goals and creating a personalized hope plan—identifying short- and long-term goals, breaking them into actionable steps, and mapping supports.

Focusing on future possibilities enhances hope, motivation, and a sense of purpose, counteracting self-harm thoughts by highlighting personal potential and clear pathways forward.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare for Session

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-up & Emotion Check

5 minutes

Step 2

Review Progress

5 minutes

Step 3

Introduce Future Orientation

5 minutes

Step 4

Future Goals Activity

10 minutes

Step 5

Hope Map Planning

8 minutes

Step 6

Reflection & Next Steps

2 minutes

Worksheet

Activity

Lesson Plan

Inner Light Session 5 Lesson Plan

Consolidate progress by reflecting on coping skills learned, identify relapse warning signs, and develop a personalized maintenance plan to sustain resilience and prevent self-harm.

Reflecting on growth and planning for potential challenges empowers the student to recognize early warning signs and apply coping strategies proactively, reducing self-harm thoughts long-term.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare for Session

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-up & Emotion Check

5 minutes

Step 2

Review Progress

5 minutes

Step 3

Introduce Relapse Prevention

7 minutes

Step 4

Relapse Prevention Planning

10 minutes

Step 5

Develop Maintenance Plan

5 minutes

Step 6

Reflection & Next Steps

3 minutes