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Therapy Threads

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Lesson Plan

Therapy Threads One-on-One Plan

Students will use structured journaling to trace a hypothetical client’s narrative and weave coherent progress trails, strengthening their reflective documentation skills.

Accurate, reflective progress notes are crucial in counseling; this targeted session builds students’ ability to organize narrative details and articulate client growth effectively.

Audience

9th Grade Students

Time

20 minutes

Approach

One-on-one guided journaling

Materials

Prep

Review Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

2 minutes

  • Briefly explain the purpose of mapping a client narrative and why documenting progress trails matters in therapy.
  • Outline the session steps: mapping, journaling, weaving, and reflecting.
  • Confirm student comfort and readiness to participate.

Step 2

Narrative Mapping

5 minutes

  • Display the Narrative Mapping Slides.
  • Guide the student through identifying key narrative components: presenting concern, background context, notable events.
  • Ask probing questions: “What’s the client’s starting point?” “Which events shaped their experience?”
  • Have the student note these elements in the slide margins or a notebook.

Step 3

Journaling & Weaving Progress Trails

10 minutes

  • Introduce the Client Story Tracker Journal.
  • Instruct the student to draft a coherent progress trail that connects the narrative components over time.
  • Encourage them to highlight shifts in client mood, behaviors, or coping strategies.
  • Offer real-time feedback: prompt for clarity, ask “How does this event lead to the next?”
  • Ensure the journal entry flows logically, showing cause-and-effect and progress markers.

Step 4

Reflection & Exit Prompt

3 minutes

  • Provide the Reflection Exit Prompt.
  • Ask the student to respond briefly, focusing on: “What narrative connections were most challenging?” and “How will you apply this mapping skill in future notes?”
  • Listen to their reflections and offer positive reinforcement and next-step suggestions.
  • Conclude by summarizing the student’s strengths and areas for continued practice.
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Slide Deck

Narrative Mapping: Tracing the Client’s Story

In this activity, we’ll identify key pieces of a client’s narrative and map how they connect over time.

• Presenting Concern
• Background Context
• Notable Events

Use this slide deck and your journal to guide your mapping.

Welcome students and introduce the purpose of narrative mapping: to break down a client’s story into clear components. Emphasize this skill helps organize notes and see client progress over time.

Key Components of a Client Narrative

  1. Presenting Concern – What brought the client in?
  2. Background Context – Personal, family, or cultural factors.
  3. Notable Events – Turning points, stressors, coping strategies.
  4. Progress Markers – Shifts in mood, behavior, or insight.

Explain each component one by one. Ask the student to jot down examples they notice as you go.

Example Mapping

• Presenting Concern: Student reports anxiety before tests.
• Background Context: High parental expectations; past academic pressure.
• Notable Events: Panic attack in class; began journaling daily.
• Progress Markers: Fewer panic symptoms; improved coping with breathing exercises.

Show the sample example and walk through how each bullet fits under the components. Encourage questions.

Guiding Questions

• What’s the client’s starting point?
• Which life events shaped their experience?
• How did the client respond or cope?
• What shifts or progress do you observe?
• How do events connect in cause-and-effect?

Highlight that these questions will guide their mapping. Encourage the student to speak their thoughts aloud.

Your Turn: Start Mapping

  1. Write the client’s presenting concern at the top.
  2. List background factors that influence the concern.
  3. Identify two to three key events in order.
  4. Note any progress markers after each event.

Use your journal margins or the Client Story Tracker Journal to record this map.

Prompt the student to begin mapping in their journal, using the questions and structure provided. Offer feedback as they write.

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Journal

Client Story Tracker Journal

Use this journal to record your narrative mapping and weave a clear progress trail.

Presenting Concern

What brought the client in? Describe the main issue in a sentence or two.






Background Context

Note relevant personal, family, cultural, or situational factors that influence the concern.






Notable Events

Record two to three key events in chronological order. For each, answer the prompts below.

Event 1:

What happened and when?







How did the client respond or cope?






Event 2:

What happened and when?







How did the client respond or cope?






(Add more events as needed)

Progress Markers

Identify shifts in the client’s mood, behavior, insight, or coping strategies over time. Be specific about what changed and when.











When you’ve completed this journal, use the Reflection Exit Prompt to guide your final thoughts on the mapping process.

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Cool Down

Reflection Exit Prompt

Please respond to the following questions to wrap up your session:

1. What narrative connections were most challenging for you, and why?







2. How will you apply this narrative mapping skill in your future progress notes?







Take a moment to review your answers and think about one small step you can take next time to strengthen your documentation skills.

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Therapy Threads • Lenny Learning