Where Are You Feeling? Art Activity

A great way to keep learning about emotions with the child/student is through identifying where in the body we may feel them! Emotions manifest for everyone differently and it is important to know where your child feels to pair effective calming strategies. This art activity is one of my students favorites and is also great

My Practical Worksheet for CBT

This worksheet is for those who want to try Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with their student but have found it a bit difficult concept for them to grasp. I came up with this worksheet at the beginning of my therapy journey and have found it to be very useful! Goal: To reduce symptoms, improve positive thinking,

Tips for Adjusting to College

Now that I work with an older age demographic, I have been so proud to see some of my teens entering the college phase of their life. For some, nothing can quite prepare them for the transition to college. I have come up with some tips from working with my teens!

Self-Compassion Holds

Sometimes it’s just hard to “think ourselves through something” and we may not be in the right mindset for it yet. My students have been loving these self-compassion holds. It gives them the space to pause and soothe themselves for as long as they need. I really like this technique because it just requires yourself

Physiological Soothing for Anxiety

In my therapy practice I really go for strategies that are tangible and concrete for my students. I have recently compiled a list of my go-to physiological soothing strategies for anxiety and emotion regulation for my students. Cold Water, Ice Cubes, Cold Compresses: When we get anxious, our body temperature can rise as our heart

5 Ways to Help Anxiety | For Kids & Teens

Do you feel stuck helping your child manage their worry or nervousness? Or maybe you have just heard the old adage of “just breathe.” Although deep breathing has many benefits and is effective in reducing anxiety, sometimes we just have to change things up a bit. I have come up with a list of my

“My Happy Place” Art Activity

Visualizing your happy place is a powerful tool for students and youth. When we are stuck in an uncomfortable situation or longing for class to end, this visualization helps to bring in positive feelings. This is an activity I have recently modified to incorporate mindfulness and our five senses and my students have been enjoying

Mindful Coloring for Teens

Some teens have told me they really struggle with mindfulness, sitting still and trying to “turn my mind off.” I have found activity-based mindfulness to be more helpful for my teens and mindful coloring is one of them! Developmental age: 11+ Goals/Objectives: Reduce anxiety, Stop negative thinking, Build coping strategies & mindfulness Materials: Adult Coloring

Back to School Anxiety

*DISCLAIMER* this post will be specifically addressing back to school anxiety for teens as I am more closely working with that population at this current moment. If you would like to view a great post on helping kids transition back to school check out Seed and Sew’s post here. My adolescent students have truly been

What’s On Your Mind? Art Therapy Activity for Teens

Do you ever struggle with the question “How are you doing?” and you do not know how to verbalize the jumble of things running through your mind? Often we can think adolescents are not willing to engage in talking about their thoughts & feelings but it could be they are wrestling with a lot and