Depression

Depression isn’t something exclusively experienced by teens or adults. Many younger children are affected by this serious problem. Between Sessions offers therapy activities that help even your youngest patients understand the symptoms of depression and how to deal with them. Discover creative therapy methods like games, worksheets, handouts, and more to aid in your therapy sessions. We offer a variety of therapeutic activities for children struggling with depression, along with resources for teens and adults, too.

Being Yourself (Children) — This worksheet is designed to encourage resiliency in children. It reminds them that even when times are difficult, with lots of things changing around them, they still have inner strengths. (0319)

What Is In The Cave — This 3-part projective technique can be useful in assessing and treating children with fears and anxiety disorders. Form Type: PDF (0715)

Five-Finger Relaxation Exercise (Audio) — This six-minute audio file guides listeners toward a state of relaxation and well-being by having them imagine four scenes from their past using visual, audio, and kinesthetic images. This technique was developed by Dr. David Cheek and recorded by Dartmouth College Health Services. It was edited by Martin Grant.

Talking About Positive Emotions (Kids) — Create this paper “Fortune Teller” in minutes for a great way to get kids talking about positive emotions. (Emotional intelligence, positive psychology, emotional communication, 1218)

Feelings Charades — The game of feelings charades helps kids learn to read the non-verbal cues signify different emotions. (0717)

Thinking About Emotions Game — This worksheet is designed to help people think and talk about their feelings. Players pitch a penny on the worksheet and then talk about the feeling where the penny lands. The game can be played in a small group or even by an individual. (emotional intelligence, depression, communication, social skills, 0317)

Show Your Feelings Role Play Games — Get people talking about their feelings with three “cut and tape” dice games. These games are fun to play and a great way to encourage kids, teens, or even adults to talk about their feelings. PDF

Feelings Toss — This game is designed to help children express their feelings. Players toss a penny and tell about a time they had a particular feeling. Form Type: PDF

Caring-Emotional Intelligence Mini-Poster — This mini-poster reminds us about the importance of showing that you care. PDF (0316, emotional intelligence, caring)

Kindness-Pass it On Poster — This poster is designed to help people remember the importance of daily acts of kindness. Form Type: PDF (0715)

Fighting in the Family — This story teaches children what they can do when there is excessive fighting in their family. PDF

Pay It Forward Cards — These cards remind people to think about others and look for opportunities for random acts of kindness. (empathy, social connection, 0819)

Understanding Your Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors (Children) — This packet includes seven worksheets to help children talk about their the issues that are bothering them. (0619, CBT)

Finding People to Help You — This worksheet is designed to help children see that there are many adults around to help them in times of need. It asks children to think about the people around them (teachers, counselors, etc.) who can give them support and to identify specific times they might seek adult guidance. (resilience, 1118)

Feelings Flash Cards — There are 13 Feelings Flash Cards representing 12 feelings and 1 “blank” face for adults or children to add their own feelings. You can make as many copies of the blank card as you like to add additional feelings. The cards come with discussion questions that can be used to begin conversations that spur emotional intelligence. (0218, depression, anxiety, communication)

Things That Make You Smile — This simple exercise encourages people to think about the things that make them smile and to practice “random smiling” through the day. In doing this, people can learn how easy it is to get in touch with their positive emotions. (art therapy, serotonin, 0118)

Guess Who Is Coming to Dinner — This worksheet is intended to help people think about the character traits they value and wish to develop. (insight, 1017)

Thinking About Your Accmplishments — This worksheet is designed to help people think about what they have accomplished in their lives and what they hope to accomplish in the future. It uses the metaphor of a museum and asks people to draw or write nine accomplishments they would put in their museum. (0917, values clarification, identity)

Do Not Put Yourself Down — This worksheet is designed to help people stop putting themselves down with negative thoughts and statements. Clients are asked to make seven copies of the worksheet, and use one worksheet each day for a week. They are asked to cross out a penny each time they have a negative thought. By the end of the week, they should still have all the pennies in the jar on their worksheet. (depression, CBT, thought changing_0317)

Loving Kindness Meditation — This worksheet is designed to teach people the technique of Loving Kindness Meditation. Research suggests that this simple meditation can have a long term effect on people’s happiness. PDF (ACT, meditation, happiness, depression, 0616)

Words You Want to Hear — Everyone likes encouragement, but most people don’t get enough support when they really need it. This worksheet is intended to help people think about the words they really want to hear and give themselves “self-support” anytime they need it. PDF (0116, praise, self-image, identify, support).

What Makes You Feel That Way? — This worksheet can help people gain insight into what triggers different emotions. PDF (1215)

Just Scribble — This worksheet can be used for two purposes: to help people relax when anxious or stressed and to help people think about their feelings. PDF (1116, relaxation, insight)

Give Yourself A Compliment — This simple technique asks people to think about something positive they did each day and give themselves a compliment. Recommended for anyone going through a difficult time, but particularly for people who are anxious or depressed. A positive attitude is an important part of good mental health. PDF (quick, 1095

Create a Positive Self-Portrait — This simple art therapy technique can help people focus on their positive qualities and how these qualities are visible to others. Form Type: PDF (Art Therapy, Quick, 0815).

Draw A Picture Of Your Family — This classic projective technique asks a client to: to “draw a picture of your family doing something.” Besides using it for assessment, you can also use it to start a conversation about the client’s perceived role in the family, feelings about other family members, relationship to other family members, and so on. Form Type: PDF (Art Therapy, Quick, 0814)

Create A Mandala — This simple art therapy exercise can help people get in touch with the feelings and can be used with clients to start a conversation about their self-image. Many therapists use this activity as part of a healing process. (Art Therapy, quick, 0815)

Be A Superhero — This worksheet encourages people to think about the super powers they would like to have and how they would use them. (Art Therapy, Quick, 0815)

Scribble Your Feelings — This simple assignment can help people get in touch with their feelings. PDF (0815, art therapy)

Coping Cards — These Coping Cards can be used by people who want to replace negative behaviors with positive ones. A useful technique to help in breaking negative habits. Form Type: PDF (CBT, 0615)

Talking About Your Emotions Helps You Manage Your Anxiety — This worksheet is designed to help people identify their moods during the day and talk about their feelings to someone else. Copies should be made, and the worksheet should be used for a minimum of seven days. Type: PDF (0315)

What Makes You Special? — This worksheet asks children to think about five things that make them unique. It can be used to help children understand their strengths and to spark a discussion about how everyone has special qualities. Form type: PDF (0215)

Note for Kids to Ask For Help — This worksheet can be used to children who are having difficulty asking for help. They can fill out the help (with or without the aid of a counselor) and then give it to the appropriate adult. . PDF

Recording and Changing Pessimistic Thoughts — This worksheet can be used to help people understand how pessimistic thinking is affecting their mental health. It is designed to record and change faulty thinking in a single day. PDF

Making Positive Statements About Yourself — This worksheet encourages people to make positive statements about themselves. Form Type:PDF

Emotions Below The Tip of The Iceberg — This worksheet is designed to help people identify emotions that they hide from others. Form Type: PDF

Learn About Feelings — Use this worksheet to help kids and teens talk about basic feelings.Form Type: PDF

Things You Can Do To Lift Your Spirits — This worksheet is designed to help clients identify activities that can give them a more positive mood. PDF

Things That Cause You Stress — This worksheet is designed to help people identify things that cause stress and how these can be changed. PDF