Decatastrophizing is a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) technique designed to challenge and alter catastrophic thinking patterns, which can reduce emotional distress. Identifying thoughts related to worst-case scenarios — e.g. “I made a mistake, and I’m going to get fired” — and questioning them can help clients develop a more realistic outlook in life. The Decatastrophizing CBT Handout serves as a practical tool for clients to recognize when they might be catastrophizing. It begins by defining this technique and then offers tips to practice it, such as challenging their initial thought and considering other possible outcomes. Using this handout allows kids and teens to cope more effectively and build their resilience. A helpful tip for parents is to make decatastrophizing a regular part of their child’s routine. For instance, they can place this helpful Challenging Negative Thoughts poster on their wall as a reminder. This handout is included in our CBT Handouts Bundle along with common cognitive distortions, CBT techniques, and psychoeducation. *This item is an instant digital download. A link to download your files will be emailed to you once payment is confirmed. Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of CBT worksheets and handouts. References: Cheetham-Blake, T., Family, H., & Turner‐Cobb, J. M. (2019). ‘Every day I worry about something’: A qualitative exploration of children’s experiences of stress and coping. British Journal of Health Psychology, 24(4), 931–952. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12387 Kelly, J. D. (2019). Your Best Life: Managing Negative Thoughts—The Choice is Yours. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 477(6), 1291–1293. https://doi.org/10.1097/corr.0000000000000791 Liu, H., & Boyatzis, R. E. (2021). Focusing on resilience and renewal from stress: The role of emotional and social intelligence competencies. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.685829 Pike, A. C., Serfaty, J. R., & Robinson, O. J. (2021). The development and psychometric properties of a self-report Catastrophizing Questionnaire. Royal Society Open Science, 8(1), 201362. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.201362
Ways To Raise Awareness For Children's Mental Health: 1. Organize workshops, seminars to educate parents about children's mental health issues
An anger iceberg visually illustrates that anger isn't just one feeling but comes from lots of others hiding underneath. Kids can feel mad because of things like guilt, stress, being tired, hurting, or feeling overwhelmed. This often happens in situations like school stress, fights with friends, or when things don't go as planned. The Anger Iceberg Infographic illustrates anger as an iceberg that helps kids understand anger better with its visible and hidden parts. The visible part above the waterline represents what others observe when kids are angry, while the submerged section delves into the thoughts, feelings, and experiences driving those angry emotions. Below, practical tips are outlined to assist children in managing anger, especially in challenging situations where a mix of thoughts and feelings can be overwhelming. Understanding the anger iceberg helps kids see that their feelings are like an iceberg with hidden parts. It lets them know that when they feel angry, there's more to it than what others see. For instance, if a friend takes their toy without asking, the anger iceberg helps them realize it's not just about the toy; it's also about feeling upset, and knowing this helps them talk about their feelings and find a solution. Parents or mental health professionals can continue helping kids explore their feelings after using the worksheet. They might have friendly talks or fun activities, like drawing or making crafts together, to talk about feelings that are hard to put into words. This handout pairs well with our anger iceberg worksheet, which allows for written application of the anger iceberg concept. *This item is an instant digital download. A link to download your files will be emailed to you once payment is confirmed. Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of anger management worksheets and handouts. References: Berkowitz, L., & Harmon-Jones, E. (2004). Toward an understanding of the determinants of anger. Emotion, 4(2), 107-130. https://doi.org/10.1037/1528-3542.4.2.107 Lelieveld, G., Van Dijk, E., Van Beest, I., & Van Kleef, G. A. (2012). Why anger and disappointment affect other’s bargaining behavior differently. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 38(9), 1209-1221. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167212446938 Mill, A., Kööts-Ausmees, L., Allik, J., & Realo, A. (2018). The role of co-occurring emotions and personality traits in anger expression. Frontiers in Psychology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00123
Digital download of this Trauma Coping Skills Handout/Infographic. 8.5"x11" digital download printable Not for commercial use, for personal or professional use only. You are welcome to use it to educate and teach your clients or students. You may print it out and distribute to your clients or students but please do not resell, reproduce, or distribute by electronic means. * No physical product, or print will be shipped. This is an instant digital download product. * ► How to Order ◄ Simply purchase the listing. After your payment has been cleared you can download your instant download under purchases/reviews. They will also be accessible at all times by viewing your Etsy purchase page. [For HELP WITH DIGITAL DOWNLOADS, please see the Etsy help article] https://www.etsy.com/au/help/article/3949 ►My Mission◄ My mission is to create helpful and informational mental health worksheets and infographics to assist parents, teachers, therapists, counselors, and social workers in supporting children and teens to be happy, healthy, and self-confident. ►Printing Process ◄ The final printing of the artwork will be determined by the quality of the printer and either the paper or card stock that you choose. Please keep in mind that colors on a monitor may vary slightly from how they appear in person or how they display on viewing device to another due to the color calibration of your device or monitor. For the most visually stunning final results, I recommend printing the pages using high-quality paper, such as card stock. Please note, this listing is for an instant download, no print will be mailed. *You can print at home, print shop, or online service. I've had the best luck with printing when I go into a local copy and print shop like Office Depot. I have had success printing and laminating all of my digital items at 8.5x11 from home, and 11x14 size through Office Depot. Unlimited amount of copies can be made. ► Refunds and Exchanges ◄ Due to the nature of this digital product, there are no refunds available. But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
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Validation in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) means acknowledging another person’s thoughts, emotions, and experiences. There are six levels of validation, and the purpose of these different levels is to allow others to feel understood no matter what they’re going through or how they present themselves. The DBT 6 Levels of Validation handout starts by explaining the purpose of the handout. It features a pyramid representing each level and suggests how to put each level into practice. For example, the lowest level, which is to “Show Interest and Be Present” suggests practicing active listening when interacting with others. Using this handout helps kids and teens improve their interpersonal interactions by showing that they are accepting and listening non-judgmentally. Caring adults can model validation by giving their undivided attention when their child communicates their concerns in school and other areas of their lives. This handout pairs well with our 6 Levels Of Validation Worksheet, which provides an opportunity to practice each of the 6 levels of validation techniques. *This item is an instant digital download. A link to download your files will be emailed to you once payment is confirmed. Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of DBT worksheets and handouts. References: Carson-Wong, A., Hughes, C. D., & Rizvi, S. L. (2018). The effect of therapist use of validation strategies on change in client emotion in individual dbt treatment sessions. Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 9(2), 165–171. https://doi.org/10.1037/per0000229
Developmental Trauma Disorder is a new phrase used for children growing up with seriously adverse symptoms, like those seen in combat veterans with PTSD.
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Color in the reactions that happen to your body when you start feeling anxious. Spanish Version Included with Download (pg. 2)! Colorea las reacciónes que tiene tu cuerpo cuando te sientes ansioso. If you like this, you might also like Stress and My Body!
Families Are More Receptive to Treatment in a Pediatrician’s Office Than in a Mental-Health Clinic
Symptoms commonly seen in kids and teens with depression include tiredness, trouble concentrating, helplessness, and poor academic performance. If you are a parent, teacher, or mental health professional trying to understand a child or teenager’s experience with depression, use this depression symptoms checklist. This checklist lists thoughts and feelings that might occur during depression. They can simply check the box beside each symptom they’re experiencing and write down the 3 symptoms that are affecting them the most. It can serve as an emotional identification and awareness activity. *This item is an instant digital download. A link to download your files will be emailed to you once payment is confirmed. Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of depression worksheets and handouts.
Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) is a term used to describe children and young people who experience difficulties attending school.
Lots of parents have multiple special needs kids. All of mine have had special needs, the usual alphabet soup. GB is FASD, with an IQ 2 standard deviations below average. She is also Bipolar I with psychotic features. We added the diagnosis of Autistic 18 months. I don't actually think she is autistic. I think there is a lot of overlap between FASD and Autism and that the evaluators preferred to see Autism. There is more funding, at least in New York, for Autism then there for FASD. The NY educational system doesn't have a clue what to do with FASD students, so having the Autism label gets us the right services, and we build her goals around her needs. GB should have the most intensive needs of all my children. When she did, and we managed her world around her needs, she did well. She was doing so well, we thought we could add Hope. I knew it would be a rough adjustment. In the beginning, Hope was as difficult as I expected. Now, 21 months later, she is more difficult. After she is home from school, Hope tantrums at least 4 days a week. GB fends for herself, using the coping mechanisms she has been taught. I do not know how to meet Hope's needs at this point, but I know exactly what GB needs. I just don't have time to meet them. I am too busy trying to contain Hope. This morning I am tapping myself to Lisa's Trauma Mama Text. The shrink said yesterday that when Hope is hospitalized, the extreme stress on GB will go away and she will go back to being my normal GB. I doubt it is that easy and I would prefer not to hospitalize Hope at this point. So, back to surviving day 3.
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Suicide and suicide prevention have been in the media a lot recently where I live. Suicide has become the leading cause of death for children 11-17 in Utah. Between 2011-2015 Utah saw an increase of 136% in suicide by children ages 11-17. Nationally it had risen 23.5% Last year on Sept.10, National Suicide Prevention Day, I remember hearing one specific comment that caught my attention. The comment was from a local radio commentator in our area who was speaking about his 17 year old nephew who left home 3 years ago and never returned. A few weeks after his disappearance his parents found a note tucked inside his wallet saying that he felt "broken." The commentator made the comment that while the family knew this young man was experiencing challenges and symptoms related to mental illness, they did not realize the depth of his pain, and felt he had not been forthcoming with how bad things really were. And he's right. There is a major communication gap when it come's to connecting those who suffer with those who could provide relief. You can't support someone if you don't know they are struggling. But for those who suffer, it is hard to explain just what is happening. Such an infuriating and frustrating challenge to be unable to communicate!! Add to that that teens aren’t exactly known for wanting to talk about their “feelings.” Several months ago I found a 1-10 mental health pain scale that has helped me tremendously to be able to express how I am doing. I modified the scale for tweens and teens to hopefully help in bridging this communication gap. Feel free to use and share :) The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
Read data highlights about children's mental health.
Grounding exercises can be a helpful way to reconnect your mind and body with the present, and get out of your head (or back into it!) Minneapolis psychologist Lexi Schmidt shares evidence-based coping tools and strategies for grounding with anxiety, panic, dissociation, and other intense emotions.
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