Play Therapy Basics

This lesson helps an 8-year-old boy understand and cope with grief, focusing on the loss of a sibling. It incorporates emotion scaling, somatic tracking, and connection strategies through play therapy techniques. This individualized session is designed for one 45-minute session.

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 uses fun and interactive play to help young boys (ages 6-9) feel safe and understood. It's crucial for establishing trust in grief therapy, allowing children to express big feelings through play. This is a single, 30-minute session for Pre-K students.

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.

This series of play therapy lessons is designed for second-grade students to explore emotions, build social skills, and enhance self-awareness through play. Each session incorporates experiential learning, trauma-informed teaching, and collaborative learning strategies to create a safe and engaging environment. These lessons are crucial for fostering emotional resilience and promoting positive interactions among students. Trauma-informed practices are integrated to ensure a supportive and healing environment, focusing on safety, trust, and empowerment.

In this small-group counseling activity, 7th graders will identify and discuss family member roles using Structural Family Therapy concepts. This Tier 2 session helps students recognize strengths and gaps in their family systems, promoting self-awareness and communication. Duration: 30 minutes.

A 3-session, 30-minute individual counseling series for a first-grade boy to introduce what counseling is and build rapport through engaging, multisensory activities. Supports speech delays with visuals and alternative communication methods.

An engaging 30-minute interactive lesson introducing 6th-grade students to the basics of counseling—what it is, who counselors are, and how talking can help. Students will learn key terms, practice active listening, and experience a mock counseling scenario. This Tier 1 classroom-wide lesson builds social-emotional skills and fosters a safe, supportive environment.

In this engaging lesson, students will get to know their school counselor through a fun and interactive Bingo game. This activity helps students understand the counselor's role and feel comfortable approaching them for support. It also encourages listening skills and provides a platform for questions and discussions.

This two-session introduction helps a kindergarten girl feel comfortable and understand counseling through fun, hands-on activities. By building rapport and emotional vocabulary over two 30-minute sessions, the student gains a safe space to share and explore feelings.

In this 30-minute introductory lesson, kindergarten through 4th graders will get to know their school counselor, explore how counseling can support them, and begin building coping strategies. This engaging Tier 1 session fosters trust, eases first-day jitters, and lays the foundation for a safe, supportive classroom environment.

In this lesson plan, students will get to know their School Counselor through an engaging bingo game. This will help them understand who their School Counselor is, what they do, and how they can help. The game format makes it fun and interactive, which is ideal for keeping 2nd graders' attention.

In this lesson, students will be introduced to the role of a school counselor. They will participate in an interactive game and discussion to understand how a counselor helps students. This lesson aims to make students comfortable with the counselor and know who to approach when they need help.

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.

In this 15-minute session for kindergarteners, students will learn about the role of the school counselor through a playful detective-themed introduction and a collaborative team-building game. This quick, engaging lesson helps young learners understand how counselors support feelings and friendships while practicing listening and teamwork.

In this engaging 45-minute lesson, 3rd graders will get to know their school counselor’s role, explore how counselors can support them, and practice reaching out for help. This Tier 1 classroom lesson builds trusting relationships and boosts students’ confidence in seeking social-emotional support.

In this 45-minute Tier 1 lesson for 1st graders, students will learn about the role of the school counselor through engaging activities that build social skills and help the counselor and students get to know each other. This foundational lesson fosters a safe, supportive classroom community and empowers students to seek help when they need it.

In this 45-minute Tier 1 lesson, 4th and 5th graders will be introduced to the role of the school counselor, learn how and why to access counseling services, and practice identifying situations where a counselor can help. This foundational session empowers students with self-awareness and a sense of support, fostering a positive school climate.

In this 30-minute introductory lesson, kindergarten students will meet the school counselor, learn her role, and practice sharing feelings. Building trust early helps students feel supported and develop social-emotional awareness.

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.

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.

In this 30-minute lesson, kindergarteners will explore the role of a school counselor through a story, discussion, and a playful detective activity. Understanding what a counselor does helps students feel supported and know where to seek help. Tier 1, whole class.

In this individual counseling lesson, 3rd graders will use the metaphor of a garden to learn techniques for planting and nurturing positive thoughts, building mental well-being in 30-minute sessions. This Tier 3 lesson supports one-on-one growth, fostering self-awareness and coping skills through creative and reflective activities.

In this 30-minute, one-session lesson, 1st graders will be introduced to the role of the school counselor. Students will learn what a counselor does, how they can help, and practice asking questions and sharing feelings. This lesson builds comfort and trust to support students’ social-emotional well-being.

In this 30-minute Tier 1 counseling session, kindergarten students will be introduced to the school counselor, explore classroom counseling spaces, and learn simple strategies for sharing feelings and building trust.

A personalized 11-session counseling workbook for Israel, a 1st grader learning to identify and regulate emotions, build self-control, and manage separation anxiety. Through fun activities, discussions, games, readings, and practice tools, each 30-minute session guides Israel in developing coping skills and emotional insight in a supportive, one-on-one setting.

In this engaging 45-minute session, 3rd graders will be introduced to their school counselor, learn the counselor’s role, and practice ways to ask for help. This Tier 1 lesson builds trust and empowers students to seek support when needed.

This lesson introduces students to the role of a school counselor through interactive activities and multimedia. Students will learn about the various ways a counselor can support them, including emotional support, academic guidance, and conflict resolution. Understanding the role of a school counselor is crucial for students to feel comfortable seeking help and support when needed, fostering a safe and supportive school environment.

This lesson explores the diverse and vital roles a school counselor plays in supporting student success. Understanding these roles helps staff collaborate effectively to create a positive school environment. This lesson is for adult educators and staff, lasts 30 minutes, and is designed for a single session.

In this engaging 30-minute lesson, 3rd–5th grade students will get to know their school counselor, understand the counselor’s role, and build comfort for future support. This Tier 1 classroom lesson includes interactive activities and games to establish a trusting relationship and introduce essential counseling services.

In this 60-minute individual virtual therapy session, the student will learn to identify and understand his emotions using soccer-themed analogies, recognize how emotions feel in the body, and distinguish between positive and negative coping skills. This lesson is important because it equips the child with self-awareness and healthy strategies for emotional regulation, tailored for a 3rd grader who loves soccer.

In this lesson, students will have an interactive session with their school counselor to understand the counselor's role, how they can help, and when to approach them for support. This lesson aims to build trust and awareness among students, encouraging them to seek help when needed.

In this 30-minute Tier 1 lesson, 3rd grade students will be introduced to the role of the school counselor, understand how counselors support their well-being, and learn when and how to approach them. By familiarizing students with this important resource, we empower them to seek help and build a supportive classroom community.

In this 30-minute Tier 1 session, 3rd graders will meet their school counselor through a fun ice-breaker and complete a brief individual needs assessment. Understanding students’ feelings and needs early builds trust and sets the stage for ongoing support.

This lesson aims to introduce the school counselor to third-grade students. The session will include a fun and interactive activity, watching a brief video, and a group discussion to help students understand the role of their counselor and learn some personal facts about them. This will build a foundation of trust and familiarity, which is crucial for students to feel comfortable seeking help from their counselor in the future.

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.

A 20-minute Tier 3 introductory counseling session for individual 6-8th grade students, covering confidentiality, what to expect in counseling, a pre-test on coping skills familiarity, and a get-to-know-you questionnaire including a summer check-in. This lesson helps build trust and set the stage for future sessions.

A 30-minute Tier 1 counseling session designed to introduce 2nd graders to the counseling space, routines, and expectations. This lesson helps students feel safe, build rapport, and learn what to expect in future counseling sessions through engaging activities.

In this engaging 30-minute lesson, 1st graders will be introduced to the role of the school counselor. Through interactive activities and friendly conversation, students will learn what a counselor does, when to seek help, and how to feel comfortable sharing their feelings. This foundational lesson promotes social-emotional awareness and builds classroom community.

An 8-week individual counseling lesson plan for a 3rd-grade female student, an English Language Learner with a history of family trauma, focusing on feelings identification and coping skills. Each session is 30 minutes, addressing classroom frustrations, friendship conflicts, and home troubles.

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 lesson, students will be introduced to the school counselor and learn about the role they play in the school community. This will include a fun coloring activity and an interactive discussion on how the counselor can help them. Understanding the role of the school counselor is crucial for young students as it fosters trust and helps them know where to turn for support.

In this lesson, students will learn what a counselor does through a fun and interactive activity. They will understand the role of a school counselor and how counselors help students. This lesson is essential because it introduces young students to a supportive figure within the school system, helping them know who to turn to for support.

In this engaging 1st-grade lesson, students will explore the important role of a school counselor, understanding how they help and support students in various ways. This lesson is crucial as it helps young learners recognize the resources available to them and encourages them to seek help when needed. The session will be 30 minutes long and includes a variety of interactive components to keep students engaged and informed.

In this 15-minute Tier 1 lesson for 1st graders, students will meet their school counselor, learn what a counselor does, and practice how to ask for support. This fun, interactive lesson helps build trust and sets the stage for a supportive classroom community.

In this 30-minute Tier 1 lesson for 6th graders, students will be introduced to school counseling services and explore the power of a growth mindset. This engaging session fosters rapport between the counselor and students through an interactive ice breaker and emphasizes how embracing challenges helps them succeed academically and personally.

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 lesson, students will learn about the various tools and resources that a school counselor uses to help with problems and emotions. The students will then create their own 'toolbox' of coping skills and resources that they can take home. This lesson is essential as it helps young students understand the support available to them and equips them with basic emotional tools for resilience.

In this engaging 30-minute Tier 1 lesson for 3rd graders, students will discover what a school counselor does daily through multimedia, hands-on activities, and a fun game. This lesson builds empathy, self-awareness, and knowledge of support resources, setting the foundation for positive student–counselor relationships.

In this 15-minute lesson, third graders will be introduced to their school counselor, learn about the counselor’s role, and discover how and when to seek support. This lesson builds trust, clarifies expectations, and empowers students with important social-emotional tools.

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.

This 6-week, Tier 3 individual counseling program is designed for a 5th-grade female student, a former foster child, recently adopted, who is grappling with missing her biological family and trying to please her adopted family. Over six sessions, it focuses on developing a robust toolkit of coping skills for anxiety, grief, and life changes, and building confidence in verbalizing feelings respectfully. This comprehensive program is crucial for helping the student navigate complex emotions, integrate her past and present, and communicate her needs effectively in her new family environment, fostering healthier emotional expression and a strong sense of self.

This lesson introduces 1st and 2nd-grade students to basic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles, focusing on how thoughts influence feelings and actions. It helps students identify common thought patterns and develop simple strategies to challenge negative thoughts, promoting emotional regulation and resilience. This single, one-hour session provides foundational life skills for managing emotions.

A 3-session counseling curriculum for a 4th grade student with an emotional disability to identify feelings, learn coping strategies, and practice cooperative play. Each 30-minute session builds safety and routine to support engagement and skill mastery.

This 30-minute professional development session introduces middle school teachers to the foundational principles of Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT) and its practical applications for fostering positive cognitive and behavioral habits in 4th-grade students. Teachers will learn how to help students identify thought patterns and develop coping strategies. Designed for a whole-classroom (Tier 1) approach, this session equips educators with essential tools for promoting student well-being.

Students will meet their school counselor and learn about their role through a fun and interactive session. This lesson helps students understand how the counselor can support them and builds a sense of trust and familiarity.

In this 30-minute Tier 1 lesson, 2nd and 3rd graders will review the role and expectations of the school counselor through engaging activities and guided discussion. This foundational knowledge helps students know when and how to seek support.

In this 45-minute, small-group Tier 2 counseling activity, students work together to navigate a puzzle-based physical maze under time pressure. Through defined roles and rules, they practice communication, cooperation, and stress management. This session builds group counseling techniques by encouraging reflection on problem-solving under stress.

In this 45-minute Tier 1 SEL lesson, 4th graders will discover who a school counselor is, their role, and the routines, rules, and expectations when students rotate through counselor sessions. This lesson builds comfort and clarity, helping students engage confidently in future counseling experiences.