Back To School Social Emotional Learning & Counseling Worksheets For Teens

Remember what it felt like to be a teenager? The rollercoaster of emotions, the pressure to fit in, the stress of juggling school, friendships, and figuring out your identity?

Now imagine going through all of that in today’s world. It’s no wonder teens feel overwhelmed. With school stress, shifting social dynamics, and a constant stream of emotions, it can feel like they’re navigating a storm without a lifeline. That’s where social-emotional learning (SEL) steps in - equipping teens with the tools to manage anxiety, anger, stress, depression, and so much more.

I’ve been dedicated to creating social-emotional learning and counseling worksheets specifically for kids and teens for the past four years. I know just how crucial it is to empower them with knowledge and healthy coping strategies - so I created resources for each and every emotional challenge teens go through (check out the full 430+ page MEGA bundle).

Let’s break down a few of the most difficult emotions teenagers have to handle and what you can do to support them.

Key Takeaways Ahead:

Why Social-Emotional Learning is So Important
Managing Stress & Anxiety
Handling Anger
Setting Healthy Boundaries
Addressing Depression
Reducing Worry
More Social-Emotional Learning & Counseling Worksheets To Support You

Why Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is So Important

During the teen years, emotions often feel intense and overwhelming. Whether it’s the pressure to fit in, succeed in school, or cope with life’s unpredictability, these challenges often spark anxiety, stress, and even anger.

Building social-emotional skills is key to helping middle and high school students manage these emotions and thrive, not just academically, but in life. When teens learn to regulate their emotions, they’re better equipped to handle tough situations and make healthy decisions.

Think of SEL as giving teens a toolbox: each tool is designed to help them deal with a specific emotional challenge. With the right tools, they’ll be able to face the highs and lows of teenage life with confidence.

Managing Stress & Anxiety

These days, anxiety seems to be running rampant in teens and younger kids alike. Today’s youth is often referred to as “the anxious generation”. Middle and high school students have to navigate social, academic, physical, and internal pressure each and every day of their lives. No wonder they always have something to worry about!

If left unchecked, anxiety can snowball into more significant mental health issues. The good news is, teens can learn how to manage anxiety before it spirals.

What You Can Do:

Introduce calming techniques: Encourage teens to try simple breathing exercises or mindfulness practices when anxiety kicks in. Show them how these tools can help them regain control.
Create a supportive environment: As trusted adults in the school, it’s crucial that teens feel like they can share their worries with you without fear of judgment. Let them know it’s okay to feel anxious, but also help them focus on solutions.
Teach and practice healthy coping skills: Check out my 50 page workbook all about managing anxiety!

Handling Anger

We’ve all seen it - those moments when frustration or anger hits, and suddenly, everything seems to boil over. For middle and high school students, these emotions can feel even more intense due to hormonal changes. Teaching them how to process anger without lashing out is a critical skill they’ll carry into adulthood.

What You Can Do:

Help them recognize triggers: Encouraging teens to reflect on situations that provoke their anger can help them anticipate these feelings and take steps to calm down before it escalates.
Model healthy expressions of anger: Show your teen students that it’s okay to feel angry, but it’s important to express it in ways that don’t hurt others - whether it’s through talking it out, taking a walk, or channeling it into a creative outlet.
Teach and practice healthy coping skills: Check out my 32 page workbook all about anger management for teens.

Setting Healthy Boundaries

Sometimes teens need help setting healthy boundaries (both physical and emotional). As trusted adults, we need to teach our teens what appropriate boundaries look like with friends, classmates, siblings, and other adults. Not to mention, they’ll need guidance on how to respect others’ boundaries - and what to do when people push their own boundaries!

What You Can Do:

Teach the importance of physical boundaries: Sometimes kids and teenagers don’t receive enough help at home with these topics. At school, we can model that it’s okay to set limits on physical touch, whether it’s declining a hug or stepping back when they feel uncomfortable. Reinforce that their body belongs to them, and they have the right to decide what feels safe.
Encourage emotional boundaries: Discuss how to communicate their emotional needs and limits, like saying “no” to a conversation they’re not ready for or taking a break from situations that overwhelm them. Encourage them to respect their own feelings while being considerate of others.
Teach and practice healthy coping skills: Check out my 61 page workbook all about setting healthy boundaries for teens!

Addressing Depression

Sometimes, emotions go beyond the typical ups and downs of adolescence. If you notice a student who seems to withdraw, lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, or express feelings of hopelessness, they may be struggling with depression. It can be difficult to recognize which emotions are normal for teens and which are concerning - I always recommend seeking professional advice from a counselor or doctor if you’re unsure. Early intervention can make a huge difference!

What You Can Do:

Be present and open: Create an environment in your classroom (or in the counseling office) where teens feel safe talking about their emotions, even the tough ones. Check in with them regularly, and don’t shy away from seeking professional help if needed.
Encourage healthy habits: Things like regular exercise, proper sleep, and time outdoors can make a big difference in managing depressive symptoms. Sometimes the smallest changes can have the biggest impact.
Teach and practice healthy coping skills: Check out my 69 page workbook all about addressing teen depression.

Reducing Worry

We all worry, but for teens, worrying about the future, friendships, or academics can sometimes feel all-consuming. The trick is helping them manage those thoughts so they don’t become overwhelming.

What You Can Do:

Focus on the here and now: Encourage students to stay grounded by focusing on what they can control in the present moment, rather than getting lost in “what ifs.”
Teach reframing techniques: Helping teens reframe negative thoughts can reduce excessive worrying. Encourage them to ask, “What’s the worst that could happen?” and then work together on realistic ways to handle those outcomes.
Teach and practice healthy coping skills: Check out my 15 page workbook all about reducing worry in teens!

More Social-Emotional Learning & Counseling Worksheets To Support You

Truly, if you’re a teacher, parent, or guidance counselor for teens, you know that this is just scratching the surface. Teenagers experience a multitude of challenging emotional experiences every single day. Stress, anxiety, anger, depression, and worry are just a few. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive approach to support your teenage students, check out the full 430+ page MEGA BUNDLE of social-emotional learning and counseling worksheets.