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🖨️ Download the Free Printable: H.E.A.R. Apology Handout

In this episode, we’re digging into a topic every therapist (and parent) bumps into sooner or later: apologies — and how to teach kids and teens to do them well.

We’ll explore why the word “sorry” often falls flat, what gets in the way of real repair, and how you can introduce a simple, therapist-friendly tool: the H.E.A.R. method.

Whether you’re working with young kids, tweens, teens, or even parent-child dyads, this tool can help make apology a skill — not just a reflex.

✨Why Apology Is a Skill — Not a Script

As child and teen therapists, we know the truth: most kids don’t apologize because they feel deep remorse — they apologize because they’re told to.

And often, those apologies come out like this:

“I’m sorry… BUT he started it.”

“I said I was sorry already!”

Cue dramatic side eye!

That’s why we need to slow the process down and teach kids (and caregivers!!) that a real apology is more than a word — it’s a repair tool. When done right, apologies build trust, foster emotional awareness, and create space for reconnection.

My favorite part about this is teaching PARENTS/CAREGIVERS how to apologize in a healthy way. This gives kids the other end of receiving healthy apologies — and how good does that feel?!

✨ Introducing the H.E.A.R. Apology Method

The H.E.A.R. method is a four-step tool you can introduce in therapy sessions to help clients of all ages give more meaningful, connected apologies.

Here’s what it stands for:

This acronym is easy for kids to remember and invites them to slow down, reflect, and make repair in a developmentally appropriate way.

✨How to Use the H.E.A.R. Method in Therapy

You can introduce the H.E.A.R. method in:

🖨️ Download the Free Printable: H.E.A.R. Apology Handout

To make this even easier, I’ve created a FREE printable H.E.A.R. apology visual that you can:

✨ In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✨ Final Thoughts

Apologizing is hard — even for adults. But with a little structure, support, and practice, kids and teens can learn how to take accountability AND spot an unhealthy apology from a mile away.

🖨️ Download the Free Printable: H.E.A.R. Apology Handout

As always, thanks for being here and listening!!

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Use the code: Celebrate20 for 20% off everything on our site! Take a look at our courses or if you like our resources, check out our Resource Library!

Follow Creative Therapy Umbrella on Instagram or reach out to us at [email protected]

Have feedback? Fill out our anonymous survey to let us know your thoughts, concerns, questions, suggestions, and feedback. For us to serve you better, we need to hear YOUR voice!