When You’re Angry
Your sister takes your favorite shirt without asking. You feel hot and mad. Instead of yelling, you can do this first.
take a deep breath or pause before reacting
You just got into an argument with your sister and want to eat a whole bag of chips. A healthy first step is this.
pause and check if you’re actually hungry or try a distraction
When you feel angry, taking slow breaths or counting to 10 is this kind of skill.
coping skill or calming strategy
Can you tell me what your body feels like when you get really mad or frustrated?
Draw a face showing the emotion you feel most often when someone takes your things.
let client draw
Your mom asks you to clean your room and you feel like yelling “no!” A healthy way to show your anger is this.
"I feel" statement
You see your favorite snack and feel like eating a lot just because it tastes good. A first step is this.
pause and check if you’re actually hungry
Doing something fun like drawing, playing a game, or listening to music when upset is this type of coping
healthy distraction
What do you notice first—your thoughts, your body, or your feelings—when you start to get upset?
VARY
Draw a picture of a safe place you can go when you feel upset or want to calm down.
let her draw
Your sister spills juice on your homework. You want to throw it away. A better choice is to do this.
tell an adult, ask for help, or clean it up calmly
You really want to sneak extra food because it tastes amazing. A healthy coping strategy is this
eat slowly, enjoy a normal portion, or do something else first
Imagining a safe place, taking deep breaths, or using a grounding technique when upset is called this
self-soothing or calming technique
How do you know when you’re starting to feel really hungry versus just wanting to eat because it tastes good?
answers vary
Draw a snack or food that you really like and show how you could eat it in a healthy way without sneaking or eating too much.
let client draw
You’re furious your sister got the bigger piece of cake. Instead of grabbing more food, you could do this to calm down.
take a walk, count to 10, or do a grounding exercise
You feel tempted to snack just because it tastes good, even if you’re not hungry. A healthy distraction could be this.
drawing, playing a game, or going outside
Noticing triggers, pausing before acting, and choosing a healthy response shows this advanced skill
self-regulation or impulse control
Which of the coping skills we talked about do you think would work best if you feel like yelling at your sister?
answrrs vary
Draw a comic of a family situation where you feel frustrated. Then show a calm or smart way to handle it.
let client write
Your mom is upset and yelling, and you feel angry too. The healthiest thing you can do in this situation is this.
tep away, take deep breaths, and talk about your feelings later
Practicing awareness of your cravings, deciding portions, and choosing when to snack instead of sneaking extra treats shows this advanced skill.
mindful eating or self-regulation
Writing about your feelings or talking to a trusted adult instead of acting out is this.
expressing your emotions safely
Can you show me or describe how you would use deep breathing or grounding if you feel angry right now?
let client pick
Write a short poem about a time you felt strong emotions (like anger, sadness, or frustration) and what you did to feel better.
let client write