Objective:

At the end of this lesson, participants will be able to identify their inner critic, recognize when it arises, and develop coping strategies to reduce the negative impact of its voice.

Materials:

• Whiteboard with markers
• Thought bubbles (participants should draw pictures of the voices in their head)
• Notecards
• Colored pencils

Warm-up Activity: Write down three thoughts Ask each participant to take a moment to write down three thoughts they have had this week. Then have them discuss their thoughts with a partner and see if they can pinpoint any negative thoughts that are associated with the inner critic.

Main Activity: Identifying the Inner Critic Break the group into two halves and provide each side with the thought bubbles and colored pencils. Ask one half to brainstorm positive qualities about themselves and draw their own personal thought bubbles using their positive qualities, and or values. Ask the other half to think of the negative traits associated with their inner critic and draw their own thought bubbles with these traits. The group should then combine their individual thought bubbles into a single collage on the whiteboard.

With thought bubbles drawn, explain to the group that the collective drawing is an example of the types of messages their inner critic can say to them, and that these messages do not necessarily reflect their true self.

Distribute the notecards and ask each participant to write a message on the notecard that speaks to the inner critic and tell it to be quiet. Ask them to challenge negative thoughts and to be kind to themselves.

Closing: Bring the group together and open the floor to sharing their notecards. Allow the conversation to focus on how each message can be used to reframe any negative, unhelpful thoughts. Thank everyone for their willingness to be open and share.