Safe/Calm Place Exercise
Phase 2 Resource Development
Page 1 of 2
Client: ________________
T Teenager Script (Ages 13+)
"I'd like you to think of a place where you feel calm, peaceful, and safe. This can be a real place you've been to, or somewhere you imagine. It could be a beach, your room, a forest, anywhere that feels good to you. Take a moment to think of your place..."
[Wait for them to identify a place]
"Good. Now close your eyes if that's comfortable, or just look down. Imagine yourself in that place right now. Notice what you see around you... the colors, the shapes, whether it's bright or dim..."
"Now notice any sounds in your safe place... maybe it's quiet, or maybe there are soothing sounds like water, birds, or music..."
"Notice any smells... the air might smell fresh, or like the ocean, or like your favorite scent..."
"Notice how your body feels in this place... maybe your muscles are relaxed, you feel warm, comfortable..."
"Now focus on the pleasant feelings you have being in this safe place. Where do you feel those calm, peaceful feelings in your body?"
[Add bilateral stimulation - slow taps or eye movements, 6-8 sets]
"Now think of one word or phrase that represents this place for you - something you can use to bring back this feeling anytime you need it."
[Have them say the word while adding BLS. Practice recalling the place using just the word.]
Client Notes
Safe Place Description:
Cue Word/Phrase:
Body Location of Calm:
Strengthening Tips
- - Use slow, bilateral stimulation (4-6 passes) while they hold the image
- - Have client practice accessing the safe place using only the cue word
- - Encourage practice at home before sleep or when feeling stressed
- - Can be enhanced with drawings or photos of the safe place
- - If safe place becomes contaminated, develop a new one before processing
Safe/Calm Place Exercise
Phase 2 Resource Development
Page 2 of 2
Date: ________________
C Child-Friendly Script (Ages 6-12)
"Let's create a special safe place just for you! Think of somewhere that makes you feel really happy, calm, and safe. It can be a real place or a pretend place - maybe your bedroom, grandma's house, a treehouse, a beach, or even a magical place from your imagination..."
[Wait for them to share their place]
"That sounds like a great safe place! Let's go there together in our imagination. Close your eyes or look at the floor... Now pretend you're really there..."
"Look around your safe place. What do you see? Tell me about it..."
[Let them describe] "That's wonderful!"
"What sounds do you hear in your safe place? Is it quiet, or are there nice sounds?"
[Let them share]
"How does it smell there? Any yummy or nice smells?"
[Let them share]
"How does your body feel in your safe place? Maybe your tummy feels calm, or your shoulders feel relaxed like jelly..."
[Add slow butterfly hugs or tapping]
"Now let's give your safe place a special name - a magic word that helps you feel calm whenever you say it or think it. What should we call it?"
[Practice saying the word with butterfly hugs. Explain they can go to their safe place anytime they need to feel calm.]
Session Notes
Child's Safe Place:
Magic Word:
Response to Exercise:
Child-Specific Adaptations
- - Use butterfly hugs (arms crossed, alternating taps) for bilateral stimulation
- - Have child draw their safe place to strengthen the resource
- - Practice with stuffed animals or toys going to their safe places too
- - Create a "safe place card" they can keep in their pocket
- - Teach caregiver to prompt safe place use at home when child is distressed
- - If child has difficulty, offer suggestions: favorite vacation spot, cozy blanket fort, imaginary treehouse