Psychoeducation, Relaxation Training, and Mindfulness

Chapter 5 presents fundamental counseling skills that are easily implemented within a cognitive behavioral therapy framework: psychoeducation, motivational interviewing, relaxation training, and mindfulness. The chapter offers a brief historical note on each technique, an evaluation of its research support, and authentic client–therapist dialog that emphasizes its utility and key elements. Each technique is discussed within the context of cognitive behavioral theory, including its overall effect on intervention outcomes and applicability for different referral problems. This chapter’s appendix material includes practical school-based resources for practitioners seeking to apply these techniques in session (detailed breathing, muscle relaxation, and guided imagery scripts) along with multimedia resources for children and families.