Therapy dogs bring something to a counseling room that no furniture, lighting, or décor ever could — living empathy. Their presence turns sterile environments into places of connection, safety, and quiet trust. Whether curled beside a client’s chair or greeting visitors in the waiting room, a well-trained therapy dog helps bridge the emotional distance that […]
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Empathy — the ability to understand and care about how others feel — is one of the most important social-emotional skills kids can learn. But teaching empathy doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right worksheets and creative activities, children can explore feelings, practice perspective-taking, and strengthen their ability to connect with others. Here are
Empathy Worksheets for Kids: Fun & Creative Ways to Build Compassion Read More »
Just like muscles get stronger with exercise, the brain builds self-control through practice. Kids don’t learn emotional regulation from a single lesson — they learn it through daily repetition in everyday routines. These seven brain training activities help children practice focus, patience, and self-regulation at home, in therapy, or in the classroom. They’re simple, practical,
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Adolescence is a time when young people ask big questions: Who am I? What matters to me? What do I stand for? These questions are all about values — the personal principles that guide our decisions, friendships, and future goals. Helping teens explore their core values isn’t just an academic exercise; it’s a key part
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Therapists and counselors spend most of the holiday season caring for others — but often forget to nurture themselves. Advent is the perfect time to flip that narrative. Instead of rushing through December, imagine having a daily reminder to pause, breathe, and take care of you. This Therapist’s Advent Calendar offers 24 simple, realistic self-care
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Adolescence is a time of big emotions, shifting identities, and growing independence. For many teens, empathy — the ability to understand and share another person’s feelings — becomes the foundation for healthier friendships, stronger communication, and resilience. But empathy doesn’t always come naturally in the teen years. It can (and should) be practiced. These empathy
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Winter can be a magical season, but for many students it also brings restlessness, holiday stress, or mid-year fatigue. Classrooms can easily become overwhelmed with high energy and big feelings. That’s why building emotional regulation activities into your winter classroom routines is so powerful. These calming, mindful activities are simple, seasonal, and help kids develop
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Emotional regulation is one of the most important skills children and teens can learn in therapy. For many clients, it’s not just about “calming down” — it’s about recognizing emotions, understanding triggers, and developing healthier responses. As a counselor, having the right therapy tools for emotional regulation makes sessions more engaging and effective. Here’s a
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Impulsive behavior often comes from acting before thinking — but mindfulness teaches kids to slow down, notice their feelings, and make calmer choices. By practicing breathing and movement exercises, children can strengthen self-control in fun, engaging ways. Here are simple mindfulness techniques for impulsive kids that parents, teachers, and counselors can use anytime. 1. Balloon
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Children love to move, explore, and experiment — but sometimes their energy turns into impulsivity. Instead of viewing this as a challenge, you can channel it into playful opportunities. Therapy games that teach kids to pause and think are powerful tools for developing impulse control and emotional regulation. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or counselor,
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