Lesson Plan

Session 1 Plan

Build initial trust and introduce simple breathing techniques to help the student feel safe and calm.

Establishing rapport and teaching a basic self-soothing tool lays the foundation for emotional regulation and trust in future sessions.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Environment

5 minutes

Step 1

Welcome and Rapport Building

3 minutes

Step 2

Establishing a Safety Signal

2 minutes

Step 3

Introduce Emotion Thermometer

4 minutes

Step 4

Belly Breathing Practice

4 minutes

Step 5

Closure and Positive Reinforcement

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Calm and Connect: Session 1

Welcome & Rapport Building

Establishing a Safety Signal

Introducing the Emotion Thermometer

Belly Breathing Practice

Closure & Positive Reinforcement

Lesson Plan

Session 2 Plan

Help the student recognize and name a range of emotions, introduce a safe-place visualization to reduce anxiety, and practice using mental imagery as a coping strategy.

Building the ability to label feelings and use a calming mental image increases self-awareness and provides a go‐to tool for managing stress and trauma‐related anxiety.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Environment

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Safety Signal Review

2 minutes

Step 2

Emotion Sorting Activity

5 minutes

Step 3

Introduce Safe-Place Visualization

3 minutes

Step 4

Guided Visualization Practice

3 minutes

Step 5

Coping Imagery Role-Play

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Calm and Connect: Session 2

Warm-Up & Safety Signal Review

Emotion Sorting Activity

Introducing Safe-Place Visualization

Guided Visualization Practice

Coping Imagery Role-Play & Closure

Lesson Plan

Session 3 Plan

Help the student identify physical cues of stress and learn a sensory grounding technique (5-4-3-2-1) to regain calm and focus.

Recognizing body signals increases self-awareness, and practicing grounding offers a simple, concrete strategy to reduce anxiety and prevent emotional outbursts.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Environment

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Safety Signal Review

2 minutes

Step 2

Body Signal Identification

4 minutes

Step 3

Introduce Grounding Technique

3 minutes

Step 4

5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Practice

4 minutes

Step 5

Closure & Reflection

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Calm and Connect: Session 3

Warm-Up & Safety Signal Review

Body Signal Identification

Introducing Grounding Technique

5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Practice

Closure & Reflection

Lesson Plan

Session 4 Plan

Review and reinforce all learned coping strategies, apply them in realistic scenarios through role-play, and develop a personalized plan for independent use.

Consolidating practice across multiple skills enhances confidence, ensures the student can generalize tools in various situations, and fosters self-reliance in managing emotions.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Environment

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Safety Signal Review

2 minutes

Step 2

Strategy Flash Review

3 minutes

Step 3

Problem-Solving Role-Play

6 minutes

Step 4

Create Personal Coping Plan

3 minutes

Step 5

Closure & Next Steps

1 minute

Slide Deck

Calm and Connect: Session 4

Strategy Flash Review

Problem-Solving Role-Play

Create Your Personal Coping Plan