IN MY CONTROL vs OUT OF MY CONTROL | Helpful vs Unhelpful Thoughts Reframing

Looking for an engaging and creative way to help middle school students understand what they can control — and how their thoughts impact their emotions and behavior? What Can I Control? Helpful vs Unhelpful Thoughts is an interactive digital PowerPoint game designed to support middle school students in building self-awareness, emotional regulation, and flexible thinking through a calm, trauma-informed, counseling-focused approach.

This game helps students clearly distinguish between what is inside their control and what is outside their control, while also learning how to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and practice reframing thoughts in a more balanced, supportive way. Rather than pushing “positive thinking,” students are guided toward realistic, empowering thoughts that reduce stress and increase coping skills.

Ideal for school counseling, SEL lessons, small groups, and social-emotional skill building, this engaging game encourages meaningful discussion, reflection, and real-life application in a safe and supportive format.

HOW IT WORKS:

• Play directly in PowerPoint — no special software required

• Flexible for whole class, small groups, or counseling sessions

• Choose 2–10 teams for easy differentiation

• Teams earn points by answering thought-based questions

• Correct answers are revealed with one click

• Promotes discussion, insight, and peer learning

• Press RESET to replay again and again — unlimited use

GAME FEATURES:

This digital game includes 5 engaging sections, each with 5 questions and increasing point values (100–500), designed to build cognitive and emotional understanding step-by-step:

1.Inside My Control – Helps students identify thoughts, behaviors, choices, and responses they can influence, promoting agency and responsibility.

2.Outside My Control – Supports acceptance of things beyond personal control, reducing unnecessary worry and emotional overload.

3.Helpful Thoughts – Teaches students how supportive, balanced thoughts can improve emotional regulation and problem-solving.

4.Unhelpful Thoughts – Builds awareness of common cognitive distortions and how they can impact mood, behavior, and self-confidence.

5.Flip the Thought – Guides students in practicing realistic thought reframing — turning unhelpful thoughts into more balanced, empowering ones.

WHY TEACHERS & COUNSELORS LOVE IT

• Aligned with CBT-informed and trauma-informed practices

• Supports SEL, mental health, and counseling goals

• Encourages self-reflection without judgment or pressure

• Helps students develop emotional awareness and coping skills

• Middle-school appropriate — not babyish or overwhelming

• Perfect for school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and teachers

• Low-prep — simply open and play