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Anxiety Small Group Outlines*Fourth - Sixth GradeØ Session 1: Introductions; purpose for group; confidentiality;
o What do you worry about? OR
o What would you like to worry less about?
Ø Session 2: What is anxiety or worry?
o Worry is inevitable, normal part of growth and change.
o Worry threatens normal thoughts/actions/events with what-ifs and prevents us from thinking rationally.
o Thought sorting real from worry.
Ø Session 3: CBT strategies
o Telling stories.
o How can telling a different story change your worry?
Ø Session 4: Worry and emotions
o How to divide our thoughts.
o One part of your brain is nervous (worried). How do the other parts feel?
Ø Session 5: Physical responses to worry and how to calm your body.
o Progressive Muscle Relaxation
o Deep Breathing
o Exercise
Ø Session 6: Conclusion
o Putting it all together
o What is the most helpful strategy you’ve learned?
o How can you continue after the group?
First - Third Gradeü Lesson 1: Introduction to the group
o Purpose of Group
o Confidentiality
o Read Don’t Feed the Worry Bug (Andi Green)
ü Lesson 2: What are worries? How do they grow?
o Worries are NORMAL! They are thoughts that pop into our heads about something we are facing or might face.
o Worries grow when we pay attention to them.
o PRACTICE: “Catch” your worry thoughts and throw them away.
ü Lesson 3: Recognizing worry thoughts. What to do with them!
o Thought sorting and truth telling.
o PRACTICE: When you notice a worry thought, tell it the truth!
ü Lesson 4: Recognizing worry in our body. How to calm down.
o Progressive Muscle Relaxation
o Deep Breathing
o Exercise
o PRACTICE: Use PMR and deep breathing exercises before you go to bed each night.
ü Lesson 5: How making a plan and taking action can reduce anxiety.
o Make a list (Homework, Tests, Chores, etc.)
o Determine what is most urgent
o Take action!
o PRACTICE: What actions will you take this week?
ü Lesson 6: Conclusion
o Review strategies and what we have learned
o How can you continue after the group ends?
Resources for Anxiety Groups:
*Outlines describe a typical progression through a small group. Session topics may be adjusted to address specific needs of group members. If you would like more information about reinforcing what we have learned in the group, please contact me. I also highly encourage you, the parent, to read Freeing Your Child from Anxiety by Tamar Chansky. The book does a wonderful job of describing practical approaches to addressing anxiety, many of which are used in the small group.
