Train Your Brain: A Cognitive Behavioral Counseling Game

Train Your Brain is the ultimate cognitive behavioral skill game.  It helps children learn the basics of CBT, including recognizing self-talk, rescripting thoughts, thought stopping and replacement, and recognizing when alternative coping skills are needed. There are four categories of cards.  The “Mental Exercise” cards focus on teaching CBT skills. The “Heavy Thoughts” cards help children recognize the heaviness of trauma or depressive thoughts and the need to process difficult situations to feel better. “Fill Up on Positivity” cards help kids learn to focus on the positive things in life. Similarly, the “Stay Upbeat” cards challenge kids to think of the best in situations.

This is a versatile game which can be used in individual, group, or family sessions.  It can be used with small children with more explanation of concepts.  If you are not familiar with CBT, it would be helpful to check out the cards before play to better be able to answer questions. This game is intended to be used by a licensed professional counselor or social worker.