Category: Individual Counseling Resources

Attached is an editable and PDF version of an I-statement activity I have been using with students to practice I-statements. I have used this successfully with students from Kindergarten and on! The first page includes a template of an I-statement, problem solving steps, and then an explanation for why I-statements are helpful:

“We use I-Statements when we need to express ourselves or when we want to resolve conflict. I-statements help us to focus on the issue and how it makes us feel without putting the blame on others or making the situation worse by upsetting other people. I-statements work so well because no one can argue with how a situation makes you feel and if they know that it makes you feel negatively they are likely to help resolve the issue or to keep it from happening again. Sometimes we use I-statements for things that there aren’t solutions for, but it allows us to express ourselves so that others can better understand how we are feeling. When that happens they are more likely to know how to comfort us and you’re more likely to feel better for having talked about it.”

Next, you can find cut outs for different situations for students to practice organizing an I-statement from a situation. There is also a page of discussion questions for you to explore in counseling sessions with your students and examples of how we could use I-statements for some of the scenarios listed.

Many counselors will see a student that struggles with substantial fears of a variety of situations, such as visiting the doctor or dentist office, seeing the principal, speaking in public, dogs, seeing a community counselor for the first time, and the bus to name a few. If you have a student who struggles with a fear, this activity will help you to explore the problem and will help you as you support this child. This activity does a great job exploring ways to use it, so check it out! Additionally, consider practicing some relaxation techniques, correct automatic/negative thoughts, and even exposure therapy (when appropriate, otherwise a referral is necessary)!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Social-Emotional-Learning-Create-your-little-monsters-1875825

School counselors are often asked to work with students through situations and the choices they made – what happened and what was your response to the situation? This TPT free worksheet is super helpful in exploring that exact idea of whether or not our responses were healthy, positive, and effective. I cut off the parent and student signature at the bottom if I use this in individual counseling so that my students can talk about their choices in a safe place, but if behavior in the classroom or during guidance is an issue I may fill this out with a student to bring home or provide this worksheet to the teachers and staff at my school so that they can utilize this worksheet as a classroom management strategy.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Think-Sheet-Classroom-Management-807186

I found the cutest, free worksheet that is so good for helping students to discuss their feelings and to focus on positive coping skills to help them during a difficult time. I think that it aligns well with Solution Focused Brief Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and student’s almost always ask if they can bring it home (and I let them)! I also like to send them home with a coping skills worksheet (see the Individual Counseling: Coping Skills post) to accompany this worksheet. Personally, I like to encourage them to practice these coping skills and promise them a prize from my prize box if they complete all 100 coping skills! Most of them are pretty easy, and they can put a smiley or frown face next to each skill to show whether the coping skill was helpful to them or not.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sprinkle-Your-Thoughts-Self-Reflection-Worksheet-4382703

I have been using this free restorative practice worksheet with students in individual counseling and have found it to be super helpful! It is a guide that helps you to walk students through a difficult situation, such as getting into trouble at school, got into an argument with a friend, did poorly on a test, is having issues at home, etc. It allows you to explore the event(s), their thoughts and feelings (CBT anyone?), the impact they see their actions having on others, and potential solutions. I like that this allows students to take this home to use again and to help remind them of their future plan of action. You can find this free worksheet here:

Restorative Practice poster set

We have all had students that just can’t seem to find anything good in any situation. This can be a very frustrating position as it seems to put a roadblock in the way of making any progress with these students. This is a game I found that has been very helpful with these students and it is actually really fun! This game allows students to understand the difference between positive and negative attitudes, and it really illustrates why it it so much easier and more fun to be positive. After practicing both ways, I think a lot of students feel a weight lifted off their shoulders when they see things in a positive, yet realistic light. Most students laugh at how silly the negative attitudes sound. I have used this game with individuals and with groups. You’ll definitely want to follow the printing instructions as they are very helpful. Follow the link below:

Click to access negative%20ned%20meets%20positive%20pat.pdf

One of the many tasks that are often assigned to school counselors is greeting new students and welcoming them to your school! Although it is one more thing that is added to your to-do list, it is such a great opportunity for counselors to share what their role is to each student that enters their school throughout the year. Additionally, it can allow school counselors to learn more about each student and the conversation may present information that may call for additional interventions/counseling/etc. Below I have included a few different resources with free worksheets that you may complete with each student to guide new student sessions.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-To-School-Getting-To-Know-You-Class-Activity-117633

"All About Me!" FREE Printable Worksheet

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/All-about-me-getting-to-know-your-student-2782475

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Get-to-Know-Your-Students-Facebook-Page-Questionaire-2103738

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Day-get-to-know-your-students-worksheet-4003249https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-To-School-Getting-To-Know-You-Class-Activity-117633

The most popular worksheet that I reference and utilize as “homework” for my students in individual counseling is this free coping skills worksheet from Teachers Pay Teachers. I use the coping skills worksheet listed below for my students who are going through difficult times. I have them use this as “homework” from me and they write smiley faces next to the skills they tried that help them feel better when they are sad or worried, and frown faces for the coping skills that didn’t work as well. For every 20 that they complete, I give them a reward from my candy/prize box. The students love it and later bring up coping skills they can use when they see me for individual counseling.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/100-Free-Coping-Strategies-2955800