Coping & Regulation · CR-06

Progressive Muscle Relaxation Guide

Explore differences between tension, release, and supported rest without causing strain.

Clinician-created · specialist review required

Developmental range: Ages 8+ and adults5-15 minutesGuided worksheetAdult professional use

For clinician-facilitated use

This is a professional resource, not a child-facing online service. A licensed clinician or other qualified adult must determine suitability, explain and adapt the activity, and supervise its use. Do not direct a child to access this webpage independently or enter client information.

Download for facilitated useView collection

The full-resolution WebP includes print-safe margins and should be downloaded by an adult professional. Read the guidance below before using the page.

How to use it

Choose seated, lying, or noticing-only options that fit your body today.
If comfortable, gently tense one area without pain, then release; you may skip tensing entirely.
Stop immediately if you notice pain, dizziness, numbness, or increased discomfort.

Reflection prompts

What differences, if any, did you notice?
Which positions or movements did not fit your body?
What support or adjustment would help now?

Facilitator guidance

Screen for pain, injury, mobility, neurological, respiratory, and other relevant concerns within professional scope. Never encourage force, maximal effort, or working through pain.

Adaptations & accessibility

Use supported rest and noticing without any muscle tensing.
Limit the practice to one comfortable area or use imagined movement.
Adapt positions for mobility devices, seating, or bed-based access.

Professional-use review

Licensed-clinician review and appropriate medical/mobility review required before use.

This clinician-created resource is published for professional evaluation. Before client use, the treating clinician or other qualified adult must determine whether it is appropriate and complete every specialist, accessibility, safeguarding, and local-policy review named above. Publication does not represent individualized clinical approval.