Lesson Plan
Path to Safety Lesson Plan
Students will explore and articulate their feelings about running away, identify triggers and underlying motivations, and create healthy coping strategies with a concrete action plan.
Understanding emotions behind escape thoughts and learning alternative coping skills fosters safety, builds emotional regulation, and reduces risk of unsafe behaviors.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Review Materials
5 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up Discussion
5 minutes
Step 2
Explore Feelings
10 minutes
Step 3
Identify Motivations
10 minutes
Step 4
Brainstorm Coping Strategies
10 minutes
Step 5
Develop Action Plan & Reflection
10 minutes
Lesson Plan
Safe Steps Lesson Plan
Student will explore emotions behind running away, identify personal triggers, and develop a step-by-step action plan using healthy coping strategies to manage distress safely.
Understanding and expressing feelings tied to escape thoughts builds emotional awareness, promotes safer alternatives, and strengthens self-regulation in challenging moments.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Review Materials
5 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up Discussion
5 minutes
Step 2
Explore Feelings
10 minutes
Step 3
Identify Motivations
10 minutes
Step 4
Brainstorm Coping Strategies
10 minutes
Step 5
Develop Action Plan & Reflection
10 minutes
Slide Deck
Safe Steps: Managing Difficult Feelings
Warm-Up: Creating a Safe Space
Explore Feelings
Identify Motivations
Brainstorm Coping Strategies
Develop Your Action Plan
Next Steps
Worksheet
Worksheet
Activity
Journal
