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Cognitive Distortions is a cognitive-behavioral therapy game created to be used in counseling for elementary through middle school-age children who battle with irrational thoughts or behavior patterns. This game focuses specifically on blaming, magnifying, filtering, controlling, global labels, mind reading, and catastrophizing. This game can be played in individual counseling with the counselor and client, in a family session, or in a small group format. This game focuses on educating clients on identifying these cognitive distortions, problems that may arise from using these thought patterns, and processing how these cognitive distortions have impacted them personally. This game will serve as a diagnostic tool for clinicians to identify problematic thinking and will allow the counselor, through play, to help clients learn how to control their self-talk and implement coping skills. https://www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com/product-page/cognitive-distortions-digital-download #shorts #cbt #counselinggame #playtherapy

Mouse Trap is a super fun, interactive game that offers many benefits for counseling. Kids will need to use communication skills, impulse control, and problem-solving skills. If they become frustrated while playing the game, they may also need to implement some coping skills to regain control over their bodies. You can have an entire counseling session full of fun and interaction where the child is learning vital skills without realizing they are doing anything more than playing. That is the beauty of play therapy! www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com #playtherapy #mousetrapgame #therapygames #gamesintherapy #impulsecontrol #problemsolvingskills #metaphor

This is a light-hearted storytelling game. It is intended to help children work on communication skills, think through difficult situations, and verbalize their thoughts and feelings in a meaningful way. It also provides an opportunity to express deeper issues of the heart, insecurities, and fears. It can also provide a narrative approach to addressing these issues. There are eight different categories of cards, each with different prompts for storytelling, role play, or answering questions about what they would do in a given situation. The game is about survival, preparedness, and coping - all helpful for kids with a history of trauma. Look for themes as you play, as trauma themes can appear. https://www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com/product-page/campfire-stories-a-story-telling-counseling-game-pdf-download #storytellinggame #shorts #trauma #traumagame #playtherapy

Be Heard in your Herd is a game to be used in family counseling. It incorporates Solutions Focused interventions to help families focus on positive aspects of their relationship, improve communication skills, and to help family members understand the needs of others. Topics include My Needs, Favorite Memories, Things I See in You, and My Heart’s Desire. These tackle many different aspects of interpersonal relationships, giving opportunity for each family member to speak about their desires for the family in a non-confrontational way. The language used in the game is very general and avoids the use of traditional family terms and labels. It lends itself well to be used with foster families, children raised by relatives, or any other family dynamic. Link to the game: https://www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com/product-page/be-heard-in-your-herd-digital-download #shorts #familycounseling #playtherapy #counselinggame #connection #attunement

House of Boundaries: Helps children identify appropriate boundaries in social situations Children will become aware of red flags for potential problems in relationships. Children will recognize that all people have strengths and weaknesses Addresses online safety, exposing traumatic events, focusing conversations on appropriate topics for the situation, and looking for character qualities. Children will identify various stages of relationships. Can be used for individual therapy, group therapy, or family therapy. Ideal for traveling therapists, as the game comes in a 9 x 12 plastic bag, taking up little space in your work bag. Contents include: Cover Sheet with instructions House Trivia cards Who Killed the Relationship Cards - Characters, Rooms, and Weapons Checklists Lamination is recommended for duribility. All pages are printed on card stock. This game plays similar to Clue. At the beginning of the game a character, weapon, and room will be chosen and placed in an envelope. Players will receive the rest of the cards. Players will each get a checklist to help them use the process of elimination to identify who killed the friendship, with which weapon, and in what room. The player will first choose a trivia card and answer it. If they successfully answer the card, they get to make a guess of who did it. After an accusation is made, one other player in the group will lay down one card that was part of the accusation. If no players have the cards, the envelope will be opened to see if the accusation was correct. If they were correct, the player wins. Otherwise the round is over. Through this process, children will be learning social skills and appropriate boundaries as they answer the trivia cards. The underlying goal is for children to use the house as an analogy of various aspects of life. They will learn to set boundaries based on character qualities of the friend and to invite them into deeper aspects of their heart as trust is built. They can visualize keeping certain doors shut if they do not feel secure in the relationship. Link to the game: https://www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com/product-page/house-of-boundaries-digital-download #shorts #playtherapy #boundaries #internetsafety #socialskills

Treasures of the Heart is a story and game about finding the qualities that make a person special and unique. Each person has different gifts, talents, character qualities, passions, and desires that make them who they are. It is all about being authentic and true to self, embracing those intricate details and qualities that make them stand out. In the story, Penny tries to make friends by impressing the kids. Her efforts fail and the kids are irritated with her. She talks through the situation with her mother and learns to look within and find the qualities that set her apart. She then uses her talents and abilities to help others, resulting in true friendship. The game cards are designed to help children question what is important to them, what their talents are, and their interests. These passions, giftings, and opinions can help them understand their intrinsic sense of self and to become more comfortable with their own identity. You can find this resource at https://www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com/product-page/treasures-of-the-heart-a-story-and-game-about-intrinsic-value

Thoughts on Trial is a book/game to help children identify self-talk and to challenge false beliefs or negative self-talk statements. This resource was made to help children understand cognitive behavioral skills so they can overcome defeating thought patterns. The book shows a courtroom in the mind with a bully who is calling the child, Jordan, a name. The lawyer calls in the witnesses: Jordan’s mom, his teacher, and his best friend. Each report that Jordan is smart and that there is no evidence that he is dumb. In the end, the bully is found to be lying and Jordan is free from the accusations. The biggest bully most people face is their own self-talk statements. Once kids can identify how to prove a bully wrong, they can then use those skills to challenge their self-talk. Cognitive-behavioral counseling is powerful and effective, but the concepts can be challenging for children to understand. This resource helps simplify it and makes it practical, so kids can understand and put the skills to use. This game/book was created to be used with elementary-aged children, ages 5-12. It could be used in individual, group, or family counseling sessions or could be a great resource for parents to use with their children. You can find this resource at: https://www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com/product-page/thoughts-on-trial-a-book-game-about-challenging-self-talk

Stuck in the Middle is a book and game about a girl’s journey through her parents’ divorce. It starts with the strain of fighting on the family and how her parents grew apart. She then experiences sharing her time between two homes. Her parents recognize her sadness and try to make things better by taking her to fun places and giving her gifts. She has many emotions as she processes the changes that have happened in her world. It takes some time, but she learns to cope with the changes and her heart opens to loving new people who are introduced to her family. At the end of the story, mom meets someone new and a stepdad is introduced. The game allows children to reflect on their own stories and the changes they have experienced. Each child will have a unique perspective and experiences, and each family has unique dynamics. The game provides an outlet for reflecting on how the family interacts and which struggles they are experiencing. This story/game combo could be used in individual, group, or family counseling sessions or utilized by families who want their children to process family changes in a healthy way. The story sets the stage and presents the concepts discussed in the game. This resource was created to be used for elementary-aged children, ages 5-12. The story is a quick read, introducing the concepts for the game. The game allows an opportunity for children to process how they have been affected by divorce and identify ways to communicate needs to their families. This resource can be used in individual, group, or family sessions or can be played at home in a family setting. You can find this resource at: https://www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com/product-page/stuck-in-the-middle-a-story-game-about-divorce

Sloan the Thought Slayer is a story and game about overcoming fears with cognitive-behavioral interventions. The story is about a boy named Sloan who struggles to fall asleep due to a thunderstorm and intrusive thoughts of monsters creeping on him. He wakes up the next morning determined to overcome his fears and to be prepared before bedtime. Sloan makes armor to protect him from intrusive thoughts. The helmet represents protecting his mind from thoughts that make him feel unsafe. The body armor reminds him that he is not alone but has a family who will help him when he feels out of control. His shoes remind him that he can run from anything that tries to harm him, allowing him to escape. His shield is a forcefield that keeps the thoughts out until he has a chance to filter through and only allows in thoughts that are helpful and true. Finally, his sword represents speaking the truth to replace the lies that taunt him at night. Sloan is now prepared to confront his fears, armed with the truth, protection from his mind, a way to escape, and support from his family. He no longer fears the whispering lies that try to enter his mind, now able to confront them with the truth. The game helps kids understand thought-stopping and replacement techniques, coping skills to calm down when triggered and helps them put together a plan to overcome fears. Nighttime terrors can be a thing of the past when children learn to overcome their fears. You can find this resource at https://www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com/product-page/sloan-the-thought-slayer-a-story-and-game-about-overcoming-fears-with-cbt

Movie Reels of the Mind is a book and game that helps children use visualization to overcome fears and anxiety, to feel grounded and safe, and to envision overcoming an obstacle. Visualization is a powerful cognitive behavioral skill to take control of thoughts and point them in a positive direction. This book walks kids through the process of using visualization. They will learn how to picture a place they would like to go, picture a favorite memory, and watch their favorite show in their mind. They will learn how to try to include all their senses in the experience. The book addresses standing up to a bully, envisioning winning a ball game, and making an A on a test. These skills are helpful for stopping ruminating thoughts and calming down when triggered. You can use visualization anywhere and at any time. It can help children overcome nighttime fears and to fall asleep after a nightmare. Visualizing a happy memory can help a child who is grieving the loss of a family member or missing an absent parent. The game helps children personalize the skills to their own experience. They will be able to identify how to use these skills in their daily life. The questions will guide them into thinking through the details of how to make visualization work for them. You can find this resource at https://www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com/product-page/movie-reels-of-the-mind-a-book-game-about-using-visualization

Mario’s Emotional Knot is a story about a boy who is having a rough day, feeling overwhelmed and out of control. He doesn’t know what he is feeling or why. He learns that sometimes emotions build up inside, creating an emotional knot. Different emotions are all tied up together and it’s hard to make sense of what he is feeling. He learns that as he talks through his emotions, it releases the knot, resulting and feeling at peace again. The story introduces the idea of how emotional knots are formed and the process to release pent-up emotion to feel better. A game is on the back cover of the book to help kids continue to learn concepts, verbally communicate their emotions, and identify how to overcome negative feelings. Cards help children use “I-Statements” to assertively communicate emotion, normalizing healthy communication. This will also help them to develop an emotional vocabulary to better comprehend and communicate how they feel. They also incorporate cognitive-behavioral concepts to replace intrusive, negative self-talk statements. These would include negative opinions about themselves, assumptions about others, or believing irrational thoughts that popped in their heads. Age Range This book/game is ideal for elementary-aged children, ages 5-11. Format This resource could be used for individual, group, or family counseling sessions. With the explanation for the concepts in the book, it also lends itself to use outside of a counseling environment. You can find this resource at: https://www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com/product-page/mario-s-emotional-knot-a-story-and-game-about-processing-emotions

Franklin has been through some hard times that have left emotional scars. He is angry about what happened to him and lets the world know it. He drives others away with his anger, lashing out if anyone gets too close. A sweet girl in his class helps him learn that he has to let go of the anger to be free from the misery of his past. He overcomes his misconceptions about forgiveness in order to finally let go of the bitterness. This story and game are all about helping children become aware of the freedom they can experience by forgiving others. It addresses several misunderstandings many people have about forgiveness, such as letting the person off the hook, feeling obligated to reconcile, or acting like the situation did not cause pain. They also will learn that unforgiveness hurts the victim, because the perpetrator may never even know the pain they caused. Forgiveness allows them to separate themselves from the pain of the past in order to move forward and enjoy relationships again. Age Range This book/game is ideal for elementary-aged children, ages 5-11. Format This resource could be used for individual, group, or family counseling sessions. This game and story are not limited to counseling. You can find this resource at https://www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com/product-page/franklin-forgives-a-story-and-game-about-forgivness

Darius' Foster Care Adventure is about a boy who was removed from his parent's home after they got in trouble. He is nervous as he goes to stay with a foster family, unsure about how he will be received and if his needs will be met. He slowly warms to the family and eventually feels like he is at home. He works through conflicting emotions, grieving the loss of his parents, feeling torn about where he belongs, and confusion and anger regarding his parent's absence. The game allows children to communicate their own experiences with foster care, adoption, or guardianship. Each situation is unique, as some children still get visits with parents and others have no contact. Some live with family members, while others are placed in a foster home. The book provides a story that they may relate to on some level but opens the discussion for the differences as well. This resource can be used in individual, group, or family counseling sessions or could be played at home. It offers ideas for how to process changes and communicate various emotions. It was designed to be used for children in elementary school, ages 5-12. You can find this resource at https://www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com/product-page/darius-foster-care-adventure-a-book-game-about-foster-care

Andy's Anger Eruptions is a counseling book and game that integrates cognitive behavioral therapy and coping skills to help children gain control over their anger outbursts. The story begins with Andy feeling out of control, frustrated at always being in trouble, and being ruled by his body. He later learns to identify signals in his body to let him know the fight or flight response has been triggered. He then learns to use coping skills to regain control over his body to calm down before making poor choices. He finally enjoys freedom from his outbursts so he can enjoy friendships and have fun without getting in trouble. The game allows children to identify their own triggers and body signals. They can compile a selection of coping skills to help them when triggered and formulate a plan of action to respond instead of reacting to situations in the future. Cognitive-behavioral therapy skills are introduced to give children mastery over their thoughts. You can find this resource at https://www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com/product-page/andy-s-anger-eruptions-a-book-game-about-anger

Emotions can change quickly and can feel like a roller-coaster. People who are led by their emotions can feel out of control and vulnerable when their emotional state changes. This book helps children understand the different reasons for their emotions and how there are typical cycles that people experience throughout life. The game follows up to help children recognize their own experience with emotional ups and downs, triggers for feelings, and what they have learned from their experience. They will identify the learning opportunities available from life's challenges and how to gain control over their feelings. You can find this book/game at www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com.

Quarreling Squirrels is a book and game about some squirrels who just can't get along. Mama Squirrel sends them out to collect acorns to prepare for winter, but they pester each other so much they make a mess of things. Mama gives them a good talking to and they realize they are going to have to learn to work together or starve all winter. In the process, they discover good qualities about each other and are able to enjoy being together. It is a short read to introduce the idea of how to overcome conflict. The game drives home the points by making it personal for the children playing the game. They will be able to identify triggers for conflict, ways to resolve conflict, and how to be intentional about creating positive experiences. This is a great resource to use with kids who struggle to get along with their siblings. You can find it soon at www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com.

This fun little story and game help children understand the 4 main personality types and how each type has strengths and weaknesses. It helps them grow in confidence as they recognize their own traits, but it also helps them understand why others behave as they do. The book and game discuss the difference between introverts and extroverts and the needs of each, and how most people fall on the scale somewhere between the two extremes. It also addresses boundaries and that some people enjoy physical affection and others want their personal space. You can find this resource at www.pathwaystopeacecousenling.com.

This book tells a story about Lulu, a girl who saw something horrible happen. It explains typical symptoms of trauma and how the brain responds to trauma. It introduces writing out a trauma narrative and how it helps piece together the memories from the traumatic event. A counseling game is included on the back cover along with 48 game cards to help children process their own trauma. Cognitive behavioral skills and techniques are included to help gain mastery over intrusive thoughts and will help children to challenge irrational thoughts or misbeliefs. You can find this resource soon at at www.pathwaystopeacecounsleing.com.

This is a family counseling game to help improve communication among family members. The wording avoids the use of words like mother, father, brother, sister, etc., to allow it to be used in any family situation. The game allows family members to discuss needs, love languages, and has each member say encouraging words to one another. The game focuses on building on strengths and identifying good experiences to build on. You can find the game at www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com

This is a family counseling game to help improve communication among family members. The wording avoids the use of words like mother, father, brother, sister, etc., to allow it to be used in any family situation. The game allows family members to discuss needs, love languages, and has each member say encouraging words to one another. The game focuses on building on strengths and identifying good experiences to build on. You can find the game at www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com

Kids can learn cognitive-behavioral counseling skills by having them pretend that the pigs are negative thoughts and the angry birds are truth bombs. They launch the angry birds to defeat the negative thought. I used the Angry Birds Knock on Wood game to play it in person, but the same concept could be used with the app or for using it via telehealth.

Uniquely Brilliant is a book/game to help children identify their own unique blend of intelligence. Most intelligence tests focus primarily on reading and math skills, but there are so many other forms of intelligence! This book scratches the surface by introducing many types of intelligence, such as music, athletic ability, art, emotional intelligence, being in tune with nature, and having a deep understanding of yourself. Some people are incredibly talented in building things, robotics, all different forms of science, and having incredible survival skills. Most people have a blend of several different forms of intelligence to create specific abilities and understanding that may be mind-blowing to others. However, if kids only consider intelligence as book smarts, they may ignore that masterful design they have within them. The goal of this book and game is to help children grow in self-confidence and stir a flame of desire to seek after their innate abilities rather than try to fit into the typical mold. The game takes the information from the book and asks questions to help children identify their strengths and weaknesses. They can also consider how they rely on others to meet needs when they are weak in an area, highlighting the point that all the different forms of intelligence are needed for us to have functioning communities. Self-discovery leads to growth empowers them to focus on strengths instead of weaknesses. This game is coming soon to www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com.

Thoughts on Trial is a book/game to help children identify self-talk and to challenge false beliefs or negative self-talk statements. This resource was made to help children understand cognitive behavioral skills so they can overcome defeating thought patterns. The book shows a courtroom in the mind with a bully who is calling the child, Jordan, a name. The lawyer calls in the witnesses: Jordan’s mom, his teacher, and his best friend. Each report that Jordan is smart and that there is no evidence that he is dumb. In the end, the bully is found to be lying and Jordan is free from the accusations. The biggest bully most people face is their own self-talk statements. Once kids can identify how to prove a bully wrong, they can then use those skills to challenge their self-talk. Cognitive-behavioral counseling is powerful and effective, but the concepts can be challenging for children to understand. This resource helps simplify it and makes it practical, so kids can understand and put the skills to use.

Movie Reels of the Mind is a book and game that helps children use visualization to overcome fears and anxiety, to feel grounded and safe, and to envision overcoming an obstacle. Visualization is a powerful cognitive behavioral skill to take control of thoughts and point them in a positive direction. This book walks kids through the process of using visualization. They will learn how to picture a place they would like to go, picture a favorite memory, and watch their favorite show in their mind. They will learn how to try to include all their senses in the experience. The book addresses standing up to a bully, envisioning winning a ball game, and making an A on a test. These skills are helpful for stopping ruminating thoughts and calming down when triggered. You can use visualization anywhere and at any time. It can help children overcome nighttime fears and to fall asleep after a nightmare. Visualizing a happy memory can help a child who is grieving the loss of a family member or missing an absent parent. The game helps children personalize the skills to their own experience. They will be able to identify how to use these skills in their daily life. The questions will guide them into thinking through the details of how to make visualization work for them. This game is coming soon to www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com

Katie’s Fortress is a story about a little girl who has social anxiety. She feels safe and secure in her fortress but feels the need to wear armor when going around others. On a trip to the village, she sees kids playing and enjoying the company of others. They do not look worried at all. She was perplexed. How did they feel a feeling of peace while she felt so insecure? She recognized a sense of loneliness and a desire to connect with others. She realized that her fortress and armor offered protection, but they also created a barrier between herself and others. She realized she would have to face her fears and leave the armor behind if she was going to enjoy relationships. She discovered that the other children found safety and strength within relationships. She found that her misbelief about finding safety in her fortress had led to emotions and behavior that were self-defeating. After she faced her fears, she was able to build friendships and let go of her worries. The game helps children learn how to challenge beliefs and replace irrational thoughts with new beliefs and thoughts that are productive and helpful. The game cards address triggering thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and coping mechanisms to help kids overcome their fears. They will also be able to identify the benefits of friendship and friendship goals. This game / book is coming soon to www.pathwaystopeacecounseling.com.