EMDR Basics

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.

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 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 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.

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 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.

In this 30-minute individual counseling session for a 6th grader, the student will learn to identify and express frustration appropriately and develop personalized strategies to manage emotions and hyperactivity. This Tier 3 lesson empowers the student with practical tools they can use in real time, fostering self-awareness and emotional regulation.

In this 30-minute individual counseling session for a 6th grader, the student will learn to identify and express frustration appropriately and develop personalized strategies to manage emotions and hyperactivity. This Tier 3 lesson empowers the student with practical tools they can use in real time, fostering self-awareness and emotional regulation.

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.

A 30-minute individual support session guiding 8th graders through understanding and coping with grief. This session helps students recognize grief emotions, learn healthy coping strategies, and create personal action plans for emotional support. Appropriate for Tier 3 one-on-one counseling.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Three-session series for a 13-year-old learning to manage OCD germ-related fears using visual strategies and guided exposure. Important for building coping skills and reducing distress.

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.

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.

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.

This two-part 50-minute session for K–12 counseling teams teaches accurate and sensitive documentation of therapy sessions, emphasizing best practices for progress notes. Participants will learn transcript techniques, dos and don’ts, and apply skills through role-plays, live recordings, and peer feedback to improve their documentation quality.

In this 6-session series, 10th–12th graders learn core cognitive behavioral therapy strategies to manage anxiety and depression. Each 30-minute class includes engaging activities, discussions, games, and hands-on worksheets. This Tier 1 lesson builds lifelong mental health skills using inclusive language and supports all learners.

In this 6-session series, 10th–12th graders learn core cognitive behavioral therapy strategies to manage anxiety and depression. Each 30-minute class includes engaging activities, discussions, games, and hands-on worksheets. This Tier 1 lesson builds lifelong mental health skills using inclusive language and supports all learners.

An individualized coaching script and activity plan that equips a 10th grade student with mental tools—like positive self-talk and grounding techniques—to deflect stress and build emotional resilience. This Tier 3 individual support session lasts 60 minutes and empowers the student with practical strategies to manage anxiety.

A one-on-one, 15-minute session using a visual CBT compass to help a 12th grade student shift from distressing thoughts to balanced perspectives. This individualized lesson equips the student with a practical tool for self-regulation and cognitive reframing.

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 14-session series, 9-12 IBI students will learn somatic experiencing techniques integrated into gym workouts, reducing challenging behaviors and improving self-regulation through movement. Each 30-minute session includes guided exercises, discussions, games, and a culminating project to empower students with body-awareness tools.

An introductory whole-class session that helps 5th graders identify feelings and understand trauma’s impact, building trust and setting the tone for safe exploration.

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.

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.

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 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.

In this 30-minute Tier 2 group counseling session for 8th graders, students will explore what anxiety feels like and learn practical coping strategies like deep breathing, positive self-talk, and grounding exercises. This session helps students build tools to manage anxious thoughts and emotions, promoting resilience and emotional well-being.

In this three-session series designed for individual teen support (Tier 3), students will define depression, identify common symptoms, and learn the basics of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Each 25-minute session combines direct instruction, interactive activities, and reflective discussions to build awareness, coping skills, and emotional resilience.

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.

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.

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 20-minute individual counseling session, 2nd grade students will learn the Stop-Think-Go traffic light technique from CBT to pause, choose helpful thoughts, and make better choices. This Tier 3 lesson equips them with a practical self-regulation tool they can use at school and home.

A 35-minute, one-on-one counseling session guiding an 11th grade student through layered self-reflection exercises to uncover deeper emotions using targeted prompts and activities. This Tier 3 lesson provides structured materials (framework, journal, script, activity) to help the student build emotional awareness and coping strategies.

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 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.

An individualized 25-minute session for an 11th-grade student using Acceptance & Commitment Therapy techniques to strengthen present-moment focus and acceptance. This Tier 3 lesson provides a structured worksheet for prompts, a reflective journal, and a guided script for one-on-one coaching to support mindful awareness.

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.

In this first one-on-one therapy session, the student and therapist focus on building rapport, understanding the student’s feelings and needs, and creating a safe environment. This Tier 3 session for a 5th grader lasts 60 minutes and lays the groundwork for future growth by fostering trust and collaboration.

A 3-session CBT skills group for 10th graders with anxiety. Students will learn to identify cognitive distortions, fill out the CBT triangle, and reframe thoughts. These 30-minute Tier 2 group lessons build coping skills through interactive readings, discussions, games, and worksheets.

One-on-one coaching session for a 7th grade student to build a personalized set of coping strategies for managing big feelings and stress, aligned with CASEL’s emotion regulation competency. This Tier 3 individual support consists of a focused 20-minute session where the student will identify triggers, explore techniques, and create a customized coping toolbox to boost self-management and resilience.

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.

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.

One-on-one coaching session guiding a 7th grader to build a personalized emotion regulation toolbox of coping strategies, grounded in CASEL competencies—for self-management and resilience. This Tier 3 intervention is 20 minutes long and provides concrete practice and reflection.

This follow-up lesson will introduce students to the concept of cognitive reframing and how it can help them manage their emotions better. The lesson includes mindfulness exercises, practice scenarios, and group activities to reinforce learning. This session aims to enhance emotional intelligence and provide students with practical tools for emotional regulation.

An adventure-themed counseling session enabling 12th grade students to track emotional peaks and valleys and plan coping strategies. In this Tier 3 individual counseling session (60 minutes), the student embarks on a guided exploration of their emotional landscape to build self-awareness and resilience.

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.

This series of 10 counseling lessons is designed for a 1st grade special education student, focusing on helping Elijah replace inappropriate communication with respectful verbal interactions during social encounters. Each 30-minute session will build on the previous one, teaching Elijah to manage frustration and negative emotions by using kind words and seeking adult support. These lessons are crucial for Elijah's social development and emotional regulation, providing him with essential life skills for positive interactions.

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 small group session, students will explore how different triggers can lead to various emotions, using storytelling and role-play to illustrate these concepts. This lesson is vital for helping students manage their emotions effectively.

This 6-session individual lesson plan is designed for 2nd graders to help them process grief and work on emotional regulation and impulse control. Through engaging activities, worksheets, and games, students will learn to understand and manage their emotions in a supportive environment. This lesson is crucial for building emotional resilience and coping skills at a young age.

In this 10-minute Tier 3 coaching session, individual counseling trainees will learn how to set up and use an Outcome Insight Matrix to track client progress in real time. This skill helps trainees tailor feedback and enhance treatment planning by capturing outcome measures effectively.

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.

This lesson focuses on teaching students emotional regulation strategies through a combination of video content and interactive discussion. By understanding and practicing these strategies, students can better manage their emotions in various situations, leading to improved mental health and interpersonal relationships. This lesson is crucial as it equips students with tools to handle emotional challenges effectively, fostering resilience and emotional intelligence.

This 6-week program is designed for a 9th-grade male student who enjoys art and struggles with mental health. The objective is to improve executive functioning skills, identify emotions, regulate emotions, and learn coping skills. Each session lasts 10 minutes and includes a lesson plan, worksheet, activity, game, discussion, project, and a cool-down activity.

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.

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 four-session lesson is designed for an 8th-grade girl with social anxiety, aiming to help her build confidence and security in her relationships. Through personalized activities and guided discussions, the student will learn strategies to manage anxiety and foster meaningful connections. Each session lasts 25 minutes and includes a lesson plan, slide deck, activity, and video to support learning.

A one-on-one protocol helping a 10th grade student ground themselves during anxiety spikes through breathing and visualization. This individual, Tier 3 session runs 30 minutes and equips the student with personalized tools to self-regulate.

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.