PAUSE – Teen Emotional Check-In (Faith Edition)

Supporting teens’ emotional and spiritual wellbeing — gently, safely, and without pressure

Teenagers experience big emotions long before they have the words or confidence to talk about them. In Christian homes and faith communities, teens may also feel unsure how their emotions fit with faith, prayer, or spiritual expectations.

PAUSE – Teen Emotional Check-In (Faith Edition) is a trauma-sensitive, faith-informed wellbeing resource designed to help teens slow down, notice how they’re feeling, and receive support — emotionally and spiritually — in a way that respects choice, autonomy, and safety.

This is not a test of faith, a therapy exercise, or a requirement to share.
It simply creates space.

What’s included (all in one resource)

This Faith Edition includes three versions of the same check-in, allowing teens to choose the level of guidance and faith engagement that feels right for them at any moment (Teens may use any one version, switch between them, or return to different versions at different times):

1. Faith Check-In
   A faith-integrated version that gently invites God into the reflection through compassionate language, optional prayer prompts, and the reassurance that God welcomes honesty and brings peace, not fear.

2. Universal Simple Check-In
   A clean, minimal version with no guiding text — ideal for quiet reflection, school use, or moments of overwhelm.

3. Universal Guided Check-In (Teen-Voice Microcopy) The same check-in with gentle, reassuring prompts written in teen-friendly language to reduce pressure and uncertainty.

Why all three matter

Including both universal and faith-based check-ins ensures that:

• Emotional regulation comes before reflection

• Faith supports emotions rather than replaces them

• Teens are never pressured to spiritualise distress

• Autonomy and emotional safety are preserved

This approach reflects both best practice in trauma-informed care and sound Christian theology.

Who this resource is for

Designed for teens aged 12–18, PAUSE (Faith Edition) is suitable for:

• Christian homes and parenting support

• Churches and youth ministries

• Christian schools and chaplaincy settings

• Faith-based counselling and pastoral care

It can be used:

• Proactively as a wellbeing habit

• During emotional overwhelm or stress

• Alongside prayer, pastoral care, or professional support

Faith-informed and trauma-sensitive by design

PAUSE:

• Avoids spiritual pressure or guilt

• Does not equate emotions with weak faith

• Encourages honesty without performance

• Normalises help-seeking and community support

• Frames God as present, compassionate, and safe

This resource supports teens in learning that faith and emotional honesty can coexist.

Part of the PAUSE Collection

PAUSE – Teen Emotional Check-In (Faith Edition) is part of the PAUSE Collection — a growing range of universal, trauma-sensitive emotional wellbeing tools designed to support teens’ mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

Sometimes the most faithful thing a teen can do is pause.

PAUSE creates that space — with wisdom, care, and compassion.