Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT)

This lesson is designed for 1st to 3rd grade students with special needs and behavior challenges. The objective is to engage students in a fun, collaborative, and hands-on activity that helps them understand the connection between helpful and unhelpful thoughts and their feelings and behaviors using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles. The lesson is designed to be completed in 15 minutes.

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 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 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 10-session individual social work curriculum for a 4th grade student with autism focused on building emotional regulation through cognitive behavioral triangles and coping skills practice. Each 30-minute session provides explicit instruction, repeated practice, and fading adult support, helping the student connect thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and apply a variety of coping strategies in real time.

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 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.

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.

In this 25-minute Tier 2 small-group activity, new counselors will reinforce their understanding of core Cognitive Behavioral Therapy concepts through an interactive Bingo quiz. Participants identify real-life examples of CBT principles to mark off their cards, promoting recall, collaboration, and deeper learning.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

In this interactive 50-minute session, 6th graders play a board game that practices Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) skills by navigating real-life thought challenges. This lesson helps students recognize and reframe unhelpful thoughts, building emotional resilience and self-awareness. Perfect for a whole-class Tier 1 RTI session.

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 serves as an introduction to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for middle school students. It aims to help students understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Through discussion, group activities, and a CBT exercise, students will learn how to identify and challenge negative thoughts. This foundational lesson is important as it equips students with basic CBT skills that can be built upon in future sessions.

In this 30-minute Tier 2 group session for 10th graders, students will build group rapport and learn the basics of the CBT triangle—how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact. This lesson jumpstarts a 16-week anxiety-management curriculum with fun icebreakers and active group-building exercises.

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.

In this Tier 2 group session, 10th grade students explore how their thoughts influence feelings and behaviors through a structured CBT framework. Over a 35-minute session, students engage in interactive mapping and scenario analysis to build cognitive awareness and self-regulation 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.

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.

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 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 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.

This lesson introduces 4th-grade students to the CBT triangle, which connects thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and its relationship with brain function. Through engaging activities, students will learn how their thoughts can influence their emotions and actions. This lesson is important as it empowers students with self-awareness and emotional regulation skills, fostering resilience and mental well-being.

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.

Over three 30-minute group sessions, middle school students will explore an introduction to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), learning how thoughts influence feelings and behaviors. This Tier 2 lesson helps students develop skills to identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts, promoting resilience and emotional well-being.

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 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.

In this 9-session, Tier 3 CBT-based intervention, Josiah will learn to identify and express emotions using words instead of tantrums. These 30-minute one-on-one sessions include modeling, scaffolded practice, and playful activities, helping him build lasting communication and self-regulation skills.

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.

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.

This small-group workshop equips counselor trainees with hands-on tools for DSM-5 biopsychosocial formulations through practical exercises. Tier 2 group support enhances case conceptualization skills in a 50-minute session.

An interactive module that helps whole counseling classes explore how CBT identifies and tests unhelpful thoughts—building core skills for guiding clients. Perfect for fostering critical thinking in your next seminar for graduate counseling students, Tier 1. 1 session of 60 minutes covering evidence-based CBT techniques.

A one-session, 30-minute individual counseling lesson for 6th graders focused on mental health counseling and building personal coping strategies. This Tier 3 lesson helps students identify emotions, learn coping tools, and practice self-talk to manage stress and anxiety.

In this 30-minute, single-session Tier 2 group lesson, 9th graders are introduced to the basics of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Students will learn how thoughts influence feelings and behaviors through interactive activities, gaining practical skills to challenge negative thinking patterns. This lesson helps students develop essential self-awareness and coping strategies for stress and anxiety.

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 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.

Two 45-minute one-on-one coaching sessions for a 4th grader focused on emotional regulation, social skills, and healthy coping strategies. These Tier 3 individual sessions use interactive activities and reflections to help the student recognize feelings, practice social interactions, and build a personalized coping toolbox.

A 10-week series of 30-minute group lessons for high school students exploring Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Each session builds practical skills in identifying and reframing thoughts, managing emotions, and engaging in healthy behaviors through interactive activities. This Tier 2 program develops resilience and mental wellness.

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.

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.

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.

A 3-session individualized program for a fifth grader with extreme ADHD and Autism to learn emotional regulation and coping strategies through engaging card-based games and structured counseling support. Each 30-minute session uses play-based activities, visual supports, and clear prompts to build safe practice opportunities for identifying emotions, problem-solving, and positive action. Tier 3 intensive intervention.

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 5-session lesson is designed for a 3rd grade student on an IEP, focusing on identifying negative and positive self-talk, understanding coping strategies, and exploring cognitive behavioral triangle connections. Each 20-minute session will empower the student with practical skills to transform negative thoughts into positive ones, enhancing their emotional well-being and resilience.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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 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 fun, interactive 45-minute session, 6th graders will explore what counseling is, why it’s valuable, and how it can support them and their peers. Through games, discussions, and reflective activities, students will build comfort with counseling concepts, learn active listening skills, and discover when and how to seek help. This Tier 1 lesson fosters a supportive classroom community and equips all students with foundational social-emotional skills.

In this interactive CBT play therapy session, kindergarten students work in a small group to practice self-regulation and impulse control through fun games and activities. This Tier 2 group lesson helps children with ADHD and ODD learn practical strategies in a supportive, playful environment.

In this individualized 45-minute session, a 9th grader learns to identify and challenge automatic thoughts using core CBT techniques, building self-awareness and emotional resilience.

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 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.