Topic: Counseling

In this lesson, participants learn that people who have good problem solving skills are happier and more resilient (better able to bounce back). 

Using the activities “The Great Egg Drop,” and “Dear Abby,” participants learn the steps involved in problem solving and gain experience in solving common problems.  A follow up activity using a “problem box” provides additional practice for recognizing and solving problems.

In this lesson, participants learn that people who are able to forgive are happier and more resilient.

Using segments from a film about the journey to forgiveness, participants begin exploring the importance of finding peace and equilibrium through forgiving themselves and others. 

Hands-on activities concretize these concepts and help solidify learning.

In this lesson, participants learn that people who feel and express gratitude are happier and more resilient. Using a variety of exercises and games, participants practice recognizing and sharing gratitude.

Saying thank you was never so much fun!

This is a quick, one-page document with tips for how to effectively counsel individuals in an employment program. Reflect, probe, support, model, role play and more.

This is a perfect tool to keep posted by your desk as a quick reference and reminder!

Self esteem is critical for effective personal and professional success.  Many people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities see only the negative or “can’t do” aspects of themselves. They often lack the confidence to give an effective interview and to get ahead on the job. The “Feeling Good” curriculum contains lesson plans and consumer worksheets for helping consumers build and project confidence.  It is part of the “Ready…Set…Work!” curriculum, which contains 31 teaching units.

In this lesson, participants learn that people who have strong relationships are happier and more resilient. 

Through discussion and activities, participants learn how to recognize a potential friend and ways they can build and strengthen their friendships.

Individuals with intellectual disabilities historically have not been given the opportunity to experience the natural process of grieving. It was believed that they did not have the cognitive ability to understand what death means, that they did not form attachments or understand the behavior required at a funeral.

People with ID, of course, do have the same feelings and go through the same stages of grief that everyone does.  This guide will help staff support grieving adults in their program in a number of significant ways:

1) Assessing the person’s ability to understand his/her loss
2) Incorporating cultural rituals
3) Communication tips; what to say, what not to say
4) Preparing the individual for a funeral
5) Grieving/healing activities

In this lesson, participants learn that people who are optimistic are happier and better able to bounce back from difficulties.

Using exercises and games, participants explore the relationship of thoughts, feelings and behaviors and get practice using positive thinking in response to challenging situations.

Are you looking for strategies to encourage strengths and quality of life?

Using a bouncing ball, this lesson plan begins by introducing the learners to the concept of resiliency, the ability to bounce back from life’s challenges.  It examines how we are more socially agile and happier when we develop and utilize our character strengths (e.g. bravery, enthusiasm, playfulness). 

Using a simple tool, the The Art of Bouncing Back helps each individual examine his/her strengths and find ways to incorporate them more often into each day.

In this engaging lesson, participants learn that people who practice kindness are happier and more resilient (better able to bounce back). After viewing the movie “Pay it Forward,” participants discuss how kind deeds make them feel and how they can be increased in everyday life.

The lesson plan explains how to help rally the group to engage in random acts of kindness across a variety of activities. These good deeds accrue points that can lead to a group celebration. 

The unit activities can also be run without film viewing.

In this lesson, participants learn that people who are able to savor life’s joys are happier and more resilient.

Through engaging activities participants learn strategies for savoring life including reminiscing about the past, being in the moment and anticipating the future.