Emotion Regulation

This book is designed to be used by adults who are assisting children or adolescents in their homes, in schools or in other settings with identifying strategies that will help them increase their ability to regulate their emotions. The emotion regulation strategies described throughout this book have roots in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and positive psychology. CBT, DBT and positive psychology are models that show much promise in assisting students who are struggling to regulate their emotions. You will find activities throughout the book that you might want to complete with your child or adolescent. These activities could also be completed independently by children or adolescents up to the task. Blank versions of these activities are included in the appendix and online.

Special note for caregivers and therapists: Please take a moment to congratulate your children. If they recognize they need help managing their emotions, they have taken the biggest step in this process- awareness. Effective emotion management can lead to more successful relationships, increase the positive feelings your children have about themselves and help your children's daily lives run more smoothly. Managing emotions is a lifelong journey that takes hard work. Remind your child or adolescent that there are times all of us feel more successful than others, and that’s okay. The most important part of this journey is to keep moving forward, trying new things, and being kind to ourselves.