Trauma-Focused Approaches

In this 30-minute Tier 3 individual lesson, students will explore PTSD symptoms and coping strategies to build personal resilience. Understanding trauma responses and practicing grounding techniques is crucial for supporting emotional health and self-awareness.

A one-on-one counseling session for a 4th grader with ADHD and behavioral symptoms, focused on building self-awareness of emotions and strategies for maintaining focus. This 60-minute, Tier 3 intervention will help the student identify triggers, practice coping skills, and develop a personalized action plan.

This lesson uses a game-based approach to help two second-grade girls process trauma related to their biological parents. By engaging in a picture-based activity, the students will explore their feelings and thoughts in a safe and supportive environment. This lesson is important as it provides a gentle and interactive way for the students to express themselves and begin healing, using strategies that are accessible given their reading and spelling levels.

This two-session lesson is designed for a 13-year-old girl to explore and develop coping mechanisms after surviving trauma. The lesson aims to empower her with practical strategies to manage emotions and build resilience. Each session is 25 minutes long and includes a lesson plan, activity, and discussion to facilitate understanding and application of these vital skills.

This lesson introduces 10th grade students to grounding practices that can help manage trauma-related stress and anxiety. Through experiential learning and inquiry-based activities, students will explore techniques such as the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method. This lesson is important as it equips students with practical tools to manage emotional distress, fostering resilience and emotional well-being.

This 50-minute, group-focused lesson equips counselors and interventionists with concrete strategies to recognize trauma signs and apply de-escalation scripts in real time. By the end, participants will have a ready-to-use trauma-informed toolkit for supporting students. Audience: Adult professionals. MTSS Tier: 2. Includes embedded practice and collaborative planning.

An individualized counseling plan helping a 9th grade student process personal loss through art and reflection journals; this Tier 3 plan uses creative expression to support healing over a 50-minute session, fostering emotional growth and resilience.

This lesson aims to help 7th-grade students understand trauma and develop coping strategies. Through experiential and game-based learning, students will engage in activities that promote trauma-informed awareness and collaborative learning. This lesson is crucial for fostering resilience and emotional intelligence, equipping students with tools to manage stress and trauma effectively.

This lesson aims to help elementary teachers understand secondary trauma and provide practical strategies to manage it. Secondary trauma can significantly affect teacher well-being and their capacity to effectively support students. This brief discussion-focused lesson highlights the importance of self-care and peer support, promoting a supportive school environment.

This lesson is designed for 6th graders to help them understand and address their fears related to trauma. The objective is to provide students with strategies to manage their fears in a healthy way. The lesson will take approximately 15 minutes and includes a lesson plan, discussion, warm-up, and cool-down activities.

This lesson introduces grounding techniques to help students manage distressing emotions and memories. It is designed to support a 6th-grade boy in overcoming trauma from a robbery by teaching him practical coping strategies. The lesson is important as it empowers students with tools to handle emotional distress, promoting resilience and emotional well-being.

A focused session for students who have experienced trauma, helping them understand their emotions and reactions. This lesson is key to personal insight and emotional regulation.

In this individualized Tier 3 session, students will learn how to develop a personalized treatment plan to manage anxiety related to family and relationship stressors. This 30-minute session equips a 12th grade female with clear coping strategies, self-awareness tools, and a step-by-step action plan to reduce stress and build resilience.

An individual Tier 3 counseling session for a 3rd-grade student who frequently elopes from the classroom. In this 30-minute session, the counselor builds trust, identifies triggers, and teaches safe staying strategies to help the student feel secure and connected. This targeted intervention will reduce elopement behaviors and promote classroom engagement.

In this 30-minute session, undergraduate students will learn foundational strategies for managing trauma, building resilience, and fostering emotional well-being. This Tier 1 lesson equips all students with practical tools to recognize trauma responses and apply healthy coping techniques in real-life scenarios.

In this Tier 3, single-session 60-minute lesson, teachers will guide an 11th-grade student through understanding and managing dissociation resulting from trauma. This trauma-informed session builds self-awareness, grounding skills, and coping strategies to empower the student to feel present and safe.

A 6-session, 30-minute Tier 3 support series guiding a high school female student through strategies to understand, confront, and overcome trauma-related fears. Through discussions, activities, games, and reflections, the student will build coping skills, self-awareness, and resilience to transform fear into personal strength.

A one-on-one Tier 3 grief counseling session designed for a 9th-grade student, empowering them to identify and process emotions, externalize grief, and develop personalized coping strategies. This 30-minute session equips the counselor with a structured plan and materials to guide the student toward self-compassion and resilience.

In this one-on-one session, an 8th-grade student will learn healthy strategies to recognize self-harm triggers, practice coping skills, and build a personalized safety plan. This Tier 3 intervention empowers the student to manage difficult emotions and reduce self-harm urges—crucial for their well-being and resilience.

Teaching 3rd-grade students about healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress and trauma.

Educating students on the nature of trauma and its effects on victims of child abuse.

A one-on-one counseling session for 5th graders focused on identifying emotions and learning coping strategies. This Tier 3 individualized lesson empowers students to understand their feelings and practice tools for emotional regulation within 30 minutes.

This lesson plan is designed to educate teachers on the benefits of trauma-informed approaches in the classroom. By understanding and implementing these strategies, teachers can create a supportive and nurturing environment that enhances student learning and well-being. This lesson will help teachers recognize the impact of trauma on students and equip them with practical tools to foster a positive classroom atmosphere.

In this 30-minute individual support session, students will develop a deeper understanding of PTSD—its causes, symptoms, and coping strategies—fostering self-awareness and resilience. This lesson empowers 12th graders with tools for managing trauma responses and seeking help when needed.

In this small-group Tier 2 resource, 8th graders explore and map personal stress signals and trauma responses to build self-awareness and coping strategies. Over a 30-minute session, students identify physical and emotional cues, create individualized trauma maps, and practice sharing within a supportive group environment.

A 20-minute Tier 3 counseling refresher session for individual 6-8th graders who’ve used counseling before. This session briefly reviews confidentiality, checks in on coping skill practice, and gathers updated insights to recommit to growth and well-being.

In this one-on-one Tier 3 session, a 5th grader will learn to recognize signs of trauma and practice personalized coping strategies. This lesson helps students build emotional self-awareness and resilience in a safe, supportive environment.

In this confidential, one-on-one 30-minute session, students will explore healthy coping strategies to address self-harm thoughts and behaviors. This individualized lesson is designed to build emotional awareness, safety planning skills, and self-compassion to support female students in crisis.

This lesson introduces students to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), focusing on the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Students will explore how these elements influence each other and learn practical strategies to manage stress and anxiety. This lesson is crucial for developing self-awareness and emotional regulation skills, which are essential for mental well-being and academic success.

An individualized CBT session guiding an 11th grade student through identifying and disputing core beliefs using targeted reading, worksheets, and reflection. This Tier 3 lesson deepens self-awareness and equips the student with practical CBT strategies in a single 55-minute session.

A one-on-one, 15-minute counseling session for an 8th-grade male student focused on body image and anxiety. This session will use reflective activities to build self-awareness, challenge negative self-talk, and develop coping strategies. Tier 3 support tailored to individual emotional needs.

This single-session, 25-minute individual counseling lesson helps a 9th-grade student understand how trauma impacts brain function and stress responses. By simplifying complex neuroscience, it empowers students with insight into their own experiences and builds self-awareness.

An individualized coaching session helping a 10th-grade student identify emotional triggers and develop safe coping strategies using trauma-sensitive methods in a 40-minute Tier 3 session.

A one-on-one grief planning session for 9th graders returning to school after a close loss. This individual Tier 3 support template guides educators/counselors through a 30-minute session to help students identify needs, set self-care strategies, and establish a support network.

This lesson aims to introduce second graders to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to help them manage anxiety. Through a combination of game-based learning, experiential activities, and discussion, students will learn to identify anxious thoughts and practice calming strategies. This lesson is important as it equips young students with tools to manage their emotions, promoting emotional well-being and resilience.

A three-session individual counseling plan for a 9th grader experiencing severe anxiety and feelings of isolation. This Tier 3 support uses evidence-based coping strategies, reflective activities, and trust-building exercises to empower the student, improve self-esteem, and develop resilience in daily school life.

An individualized 30-minute counseling session for an 8th-grade student focusing on deep breathing and grounding techniques to manage anxiety in real time. This Tier 3 lesson equips the student with on-the-spot tools for emotional regulation and fosters self-awareness and resilience.

In this 30-minute individual session, adult learners will explore the fundamentals of trauma: its definition, types, and effects on mind and body. This session empowers participants with self-reflection and coping strategies to begin healing. Tailored for one-on-one support, it lays a foundation for deeper therapeutic work.

In this 45-minute Tier 2 lesson for undergraduate students, small groups of four students and a professor will collaboratively discuss a challenging trauma incident. Students will learn trauma-informed discussion strategies, practice active listening, and build trust through structured activities. This lesson equips participants with skills to navigate sensitive conversations safely and empathetically.

In this 30-minute individual session, adults will learn core Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques to manage anxiety. This lesson is important because it equips participants with practical mindfulness and defusion strategies for real-life stressors, promoting psychological flexibility and well-being.

This 6-session individual lesson for a 6th-grade female student focuses on reducing anxiety, excessive worry, and overthinking using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions. Each 45-minute session is designed to empower the student with practical skills to manage anxiety, fostering emotional well-being and resilience.

A 4-session, 15-minute individual support program for a 2nd grader with trauma-related behaviors, focusing on building trust, emotional awareness, and coping skills. Through short, engaging activities like breathing exercises, emotion identification, and role-play, this series helps the student feel safe, understood, and empowered to manage anxiety and emotional outbursts.

A one-session, 30-minute individual intervention for adults focused on supporting a stepson struggling with depression and gambling. This targeted session guides caregivers through understanding, communicating, and applying evidence-based behavioral strategies to foster hope, establish boundaries, and promote healthy coping. It equips participants with practical tools to intervene effectively and compassionately.

This lesson will help elementary teachers understand secondary trauma and provide strategies to manage it. By addressing secondary trauma, teachers can improve their well-being and efficacy in the classroom.

An individual 15-minute SEL counseling session for a 7th grader to identify stress triggers and practice quick, evidence-based coping strategies like breathing and grounding. This targeted Tier 3 intervention helps students develop self-regulation tools they can use anytime to feel more in control and resilient.

In this 25-minute Tier 3 lesson, 5- to 10-year-old children of divorced parents will learn core ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) concepts—recognizing feelings, accepting difficult emotions, and committing to value-driven actions—through art, discussion, games, and a worksheet. This targeted session helps them build emotional resilience and creative coping skills in a supportive one-on-one setting.

This lesson helps individual students understand and confront their fears through cognitive-behavioral strategies. It is crucial for building confidence and resilience, specifically designed for a 10th-grade student. The lesson is structured for a 40-minute session, focusing on school psychology.

This three-session individual counseling series for 8th graders focuses on reframing negative thinking patterns into positive ones. It's crucial for developing emotional resilience and improving mental well-being. Each session lasts 30 minutes and is designed to provide personalized support and practical strategies for managing negative thoughts.

An 8-session individual counseling program for a 1st grader navigating a difficult divorce and split household. Each 15-minute session builds social-emotional skills, resilience, and coping strategies through engaging activities and reflection. This Tier 3 support roadmap will help the student feel understood and develop healthy emotional regulation and communication.

This lesson focuses on equipping veterans and their family members with the skills to develop a personalized Crisis Response Plan for suicide prevention. By understanding the components of a crisis plan and actively engaging in its creation, participants will gain a sense of control and preparedness for potential mental health crises. This lesson is crucial as it empowers individuals with practical tools and strategies to manage crises effectively, fostering resilience and mental well-being.

This lesson focuses on building resilience in students who have experienced trauma, providing them with tools to overcome challenges and setbacks. It's crucial for helping students develop coping strategies. Designed for a 7th-grade group, this 60-minute session is part of a Tier 2 support strategy.

This lesson involves a simulation-based activity where students role-play as grief counselors and clients. Through this exercise, students will learn effective communication and empathy skills, which are crucial for interpersonal relationships and emotional intelligence. The lesson includes feedback sessions to help students reflect on their performance and improve their skills, making it a valuable experience for personal and professional development.

A small-group, trauma-focused discussion framework for 7th graders that uses guided story sharing, active listening, and safe-ground rules to foster emotional processing and peer support. This Tier 2 lesson spans one 40-minute session and equips students with practical skills to share, listen, and connect in a structured, caring environment.

In this 45-minute, one-on-one CBT session, a 9th grade student will learn to identify triggers, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and practice coping strategies to manage anger. This individualized Tier 3 support equips the student with evidence-based tools to improve self-regulation and emotional well-being.

In this 30-minute Tier 3 session, mental health practitioners will learn strategies to support an adult client with schizophrenia and anxiety coping with a difficult breakup and co-parenting challenges. This targeted lesson provides trauma-sensitive communication techniques, evidence-based coping tools, and a structured plan to foster resilience and emotional stability.

This lesson is designed for a visually impaired student experiencing low self-esteem and emotional dysregulation. Over four 20-minute sessions, the student will learn and apply positive coping skills such as 'stop and think' strategies, 'I statements', anxiety coping skills, and grounding techniques. This lesson aims to empower the student to manage overwhelming scenarios and build resilience.

This follow-up individual counseling session aims to build on the previous lesson by introducing journaling and positive self-talk as additional strategies to manage overthinking. These techniques can help the student process thoughts and emotions more effectively, leading to improved mental well-being and focus.

In this 30-minute Tier 1 session for 7th grade school counselors, participants will explore how demographics, school environment, and individual student factors (IEPs, 504s, ELL status, behavior challenges, and giftedness) inform differentiated planning, teaching, and assessment in anti-bullying lessons. Counselors will learn to recognize and adapt to these variables to ensure accessible and effective bullying prevention strategies for every student. This foundational training empowers counselors to build inclusive, responsive interventions that reduce bullying and support diverse learners.

An 8-session individual counseling series for a 6th grade boy navigating his parents’ divorce and split household. These 30-minute sessions build trust, teach emotional regulation, coping strategies, and resilience, empowering the student to express feelings and develop healthy support systems.

An individual Tier 3 trauma-focused art therapy project for 10th graders, spanning multiple 70-minute sessions. Students use expressive painting to process trauma memories and emotions, guided by structured reflections and self-assessment. This project fosters emotional insight, coping skills, and therapeutic self-expression.

This lesson aims to help 9th grade female students reduce symptoms of OCD through trauma-informed teaching strategies. By focusing on mindfulness and self-awareness, students will learn techniques to manage their symptoms, allowing them to better access classroom instruction. This lesson is important as it empowers students with tools to improve their mental health and academic performance.

This lesson focuses on helping a 4th-grade boy with trauma learn to manage his emotions through game-based learning and trauma-informed teaching. By using a video and interactive activities, the lesson aims to teach the student how to identify emotions, think about coping skills, and practice these skills in a supportive environment. This approach is crucial for building emotional resilience and providing the student with tools to handle challenging situations.

Single 30-minute Tier 2 small-group session on identifying and addressing the subtle, indirect harms of cyberbullying—such as exclusion, rumor-spreading, and online isolation. Participants will reflect, discuss real-world scenarios, and develop concrete strategies to promote inclusion and digital wellbeing.

This lesson introduces 7th graders to the concept of trauma and its somatic symptoms, focusing on PTSD. Using a video and guided discussion, students will explore how trauma affects the body and mind. This lesson is crucial for building awareness and empathy, helping students recognize symptoms in themselves or others, and encouraging them to seek help if needed.

In this high school lesson, students will explore the concept of trauma, distinguishing between what trauma is and what it is not, and learn how to apply trauma-informed practices while maintaining expectations. This lesson is crucial for fostering empathy and understanding in students, equipping them with the skills to support peers and themselves in a compassionate manner. The lesson will be conducted in one 45-minute session and is designed for a classroom-wide audience.

A 4-session Tier 3 counseling series for a 5th grader who struggles to advocate for help and becomes emotionally overwhelmed when work feels confusing. These 30-minute sessions will build self-advocacy skills, introduce coping strategies to manage frustration, and replace tears with confidence. Each session includes engaging activities, guided practice, and take-home tools.

This lesson plan is designed to educate teachers about trauma-informed education, focusing on understanding trauma's impact on students and implementing supportive teaching strategies. Through discussion, experiential learning, and video segments, teachers will gain insights into creating a safe and supportive learning environment. This lesson is crucial for fostering empathy and understanding in educational settings, ultimately benefiting students who have experienced trauma.

Over 10 weeks of 30-minute one-on-one sessions teaching a 5th grade student CBIT strategies to manage Tourette’s and co-occurring ADHD. This Tier 3 plan provides personalized support, self-awareness tools, habit-reversal techniques, and relaxation methods from the Tourette Association of America.