Relaxation — the “R” in PRACTICE
What is relaxation in TF-CBT?
Relaxation gives children practical, body-based ways to calm a stress response — focused breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and grounding. Practiced in session and at home, these skills help a child lower physical tension on their own, making it possible to face difficult feelings and memories later in treatment.
What this component is working toward
| Objective | How it works | Primary audience |
|---|---|---|
| Lower physiological arousal | Diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, grounding | Child |
| Create portable calming tools | Rehearsal in session plus home practice | Child & caregiver |
| Prepare for trauma processing | Building self-regulation before exposure work | Clinician |
Official resources
Primary resources from the model developers and national authorities. Links open on their original sites.
Vetted official resources for this component are being added in the next phase. In the meantime, see the official resources on the TF-CBT hub.
Authoritative clinical resources
Validated, system-level toolkits and adaptations from established trauma centers and networks.
Additional authoritative adaptations for this component are being added in the next phase.
Optional skill-building supports
These materials are supplemental creative supports made by Skills for Children. They are not official TF-CBT model materials, not required, and should not replace clinical training, supervision, or therapist judgment. They may help reinforce this component as an optional companion at home or in session.
♪ Song — “Breathe Like Waves”
A companion song from When Feelings Get Loud mapped to this component.
View access options ↗📖 Book chapter — Rex the Rabbit
This component's chapter in A Journey of Brave Friends, the Resilient Forest storybook.
View access options ↗📱 BRAVE app module
A child-facing activity module in the free BRAVE companion app (ages 4–18).
View access options ↗When big feelings show up in the body, relaxation skills give your child something to do about it. A few minutes of practice at calm times makes the skills easier to reach for during a hard moment.
About relaxation
This page is an evidence-informed educational resource, not clinical advice or a substitute for treatment by a trained TF-CBT therapist. TF-CBT was developed by Cohen, Mannarino, and Deblinger. Official model resources are linked to their original publishers; Skills for Children does not host proprietary clinical materials. Resources curated by Joshua Fisherkeller, MSW.