Navigating big emotions is a vital life skill for children and adolescents to learn. This coping skills handout is a powerful tool designed to help them build their emotional regulation abilities and develop a sense of self-efficacy. Multiple versions are included depending on client preferences. A Closer Look at the Coping Skills Tips for Using …
The handout uses a thermometer metaphor to help individuals gauge their emotional intensity on a scale from 0 to 10. This makes it easy for clients to identify how they are feeling and recognize that their emotional state exists on a continuum. It also emphasizes that different strategies are effective at different intensity levels. By …
Nightmares can be a scary and upsetting experience for children. They often feel very real and can cause a child to feel worried or scared even after waking up. For parents/caregivers and clinicians, a key part of helping a child is to reassure them, comfort them, and give them a sense of control over their …
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We know that nightmares are a common and distressing issue for many children and teens. While they may not always signal a serious problem, they can be linked to difficult experiences and often cause children to feel scared, upset, or worried, even after they wake up. To help your patients and their families, I created …
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For anyone Have you ever found yourself reacting in a way you did not intend to? Maybe a small comment from a friend sparks an argument, or a memory from a social media post sends you spiraling into a bad mood. These moments are often triggered by what we call “hooks.” A hook is any …
Navigating chronic pain is a key part of living with sickle cell disease. For clinicians and caregivers, helping children and adolescents understand their pain is an essential step toward empowering them to manage it effectively. This handout, “Understanding Your Pain,” provides a straightforward way to explain the difference between acute and chronic pain and equips …
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In my work, I have found that many kids don’t actually know why sleep is important. Often only get told that it’s necessary. When they learn about the real benefits of sleep in simple, concrete terms, it can be surprisingly motivating and empowering.
The Choice Point worksheet created from a similar exercise in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This handout provides a visual metaphor to help clients understand that they have a choice in how they respond to difficult thoughts and feelings. It encourages them to identify their “hooks” (the thoughts and feelings that might lead to unhelpful …
Pain can be a complex and overwhelming experience, especially for children and adolescents. The way we think, feel, and act can all influence our perception of pain. The Gate Control Theory of Pain offers a helpful metaphor to explain this relationship, making it a powerful tool for clinicians to use with young patients. This handout, …