Kid strategy of the week:

• Feelings Iceberg: Show the client the image below and talk about there are some feelings or behaviors that people see. For example, anger, crying, yelling, hitting, getting into fights, complaining, or avoiding.  Have the client draw their own iceberg and list the emotions/behaviors/symptoms that people in their life notice in the top section. Then have the client fill in the bottom section with the feelings, thoughts, or worries that people don’t see, but that are related to the items in the top of the iceberg.

• https://i.pinimg.com/564x/28/8f/2d/288f2debf4208bc47ab33d31363f8ad7.jpg

• Sample progress note: The focus of this session was… The therapist engaged the Ct in an art therapy activity (Feelings Iceberg) to promote emotional awareness and understanding of triggers.  The Ct (engaged/did not engage) in the activity, and they reported that it was (interesting/fun/frustrating/etc).

Couples strategy of the week:

• • Create a Couples Vision Board: Having a shared goal or vision for the future can help bring couples together. Using an app like Pinterest or Instagram (or even saving pictures on your computer or from magazines), create a vision board for your future as a couple. Include whatever feels relevant to you, but some ideas include: travel, quotes, pets, activities, and more!

  • Sample progress note: The focus of this session was… The therapist helped the couple create a vision board to promote relationship building and satisfaction. The couple (engaged/did not engage) in the activity, and they reported that it was (interesting/fun/frustrating/etc).

Adult strategy of the week:

• Adult Pleasant Events Schedule: For the next week, do 1 thing every day from this list of 176 activities. Notice which activities you gravitate towards, and notice how incorporating these events into your daily life affects your mood, relationships, and thoughts. https://www.dbtselfhelp.com/html/er_handout_8.html

• Sample progress note: The focus of this session was… The therapist helped client explore ways to incorporate pleasant activities into their daily life for the next week to help improve their mood, relationships, and thoughts. Client was (able/not able) to identify activities they would like to try, and they reported that exploring activities was (helpful/not helpful).

Mindfulness/meditation of the week:

• Color Meditation: Relax by tapping into your senses and visualizing a sequence of calming colors.

• https://www.innerhealthstudio.com/calming-color-relaxation.html

• Sample progress note: The focus of this session was… The therapist led a meditation activity (i.e., Color Meditation). Ct. (engaged/did not engage in the activity), and they reported that the activity was (helpful/difficult/not helpful).

To begin, make yourself comfortable. Adjust your clothing as needed and assume a comfortable position.

First, before the calming color relaxation begins, notice how your body feels in this moment.

Passively pay attention to the state of your body right now. Do not try to change anything, simply notice how your body and mind feel.

Feel your body begin to relax slightly, as your shoulders drop a little lower…. your jaw loosens so your teeth are not touching…. and your eyelids start to feel heavy.

Take a deep breath in…. hold it…. and slowly breathe out….

Now just notice your breathing. Your body knows how much air you need. Notice with interest how your breath goes in and out. Feel the pause after you inhale and before you exhale…. and the pause before drawing another breath.

Allow your body to relax and your mind to focus on the calming color relaxation.

Allow the relaxation to occur naturally…. allow and observe….

Create a picture in your mind of the color red.

Imagine red of all shades….

You might picture red objects, a red landscape, or just a solid color…..

Imagine all of the different tones of red…. roses…. bricks…. apples….sunset….

Enjoy the color red.

Now allow the color you are imagining to change to orange. Picture the color orange…. infinite shades of orange…. flowers…. pumpkins …. carrots….

Fill the entire visual field of your mind’s eye with the color orange.

Enjoy the color orange.

Visualize the color yellow. See in your imagination all the various shades of yellow. Allow yellow to fill your vision…. lemons…. flowers….. fall leaves…

Imagine the endless tones of the color yellow. Imagine yourself surrounded with the calming color yellow….. Immerse yourself….

Enjoy the color yellow.

Let the color you are imagining become green. Fill your imagination with the color green. Endless shades and tones of green…. plants…. leaves…. grass….

Imagine being surrounded by beautiful green….. all shades from the lightest to the darkest, bright green…. subdued green…

Enjoy green.

Now see in your mind the color blue. Surround yourself with beautiful blue…. Unending shades of blue….. water….sky….

Imagine blue filling your vision…..

Enjoy the color blue.

Allow the color in your imagination to become violet….. Focus on the multitude of purples around you…. flowers….eggplant….sunrise….

Immerse yourself in the color violet….

Enjoy violet.

Now allow your attention to return to your breathing….. notice how calm and regular your breathing is now…..

Meditate on the calming color relaxation once more….

Imagine the colors again, one at a time…. starting with red….

Orange….

Yellow….

Green…..

Blue…..

Violet…..

Now picture whatever calming color you wish. Do you have a favorite? Or a color that suits your mood right now? Imagine whatever colors you like. Allow your mind to be relaxed, focused, and calm…..

Enjoy the feeling of relaxation you are experiencing……

Now it is time to return your attention to your regular activities…..

Become more alert with each breath you take….

More aware of your surroundings….

Stretch your muscles…. and open your eyes. Fully alert and calm.