In-Session Guide — Anchor Cards (Deck 3)

A practical in-session guide for clinicians using Deck 3 — Anchor Cards — identity-level cognitive reappraisal without performance pressure.

Age range: 7 to 12.

Best suited for: Self-esteem work, trauma recovery, growth-mindset scaffolding, children with high cognitive dissonance around positive identity statements, post-bullying repair, post-failure reframing.

When NOT to use: Not for acute dysregulation — return to Deck 1 (PILA) first. Not as an affirmation drill. Do not ask the child to recite the card.

How to introduce: Fan out the anchor cards in front of the child. Say the key phrase: You don't have to believe it yet.

Sample language: Pick one that feels like it could be true one day. Not today. One day.

Watch for: The child holding a card without speaking. That is the work happening — do not interrupt it.

Phase mapping: Phase 3 — Grounding.

Clinical use: CBT identity work, self-esteem building, trauma recovery, growth mindset scaffolding.