aidemia--modules-session_ideas_request	Provide some idea(s) for a psychotherapeutic session -
What length (min)	30
Patient mood	Stressed
Patient condition	Not specific
Relevant challenges	Nothing in particular
Therapeutic technique	Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Use coping techniques	No particular
Patient engagement	Neutral or indifferent
Patient assignment	Nothing specific
Specific mindset	No particular
Needed behavioural change	No particular
Any other preferences

Psychotherapeutic Session Plan: 30 Minutes

Session Overview

In this session, we will address the patient's current feeling of stress through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The goal is to engage the patient in understanding their stress response and to facilitate coping strategies without focusing on specific issues.

Session Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Greeting and Check-in
  • Welcome the patient warmly.
  • Briefly check in about their week and any recent experiences related to their stress.

2. Establishing the Focus (5 minutes)

• Encourage Expression
  • Ask the patient to describe how stress manifests in their daily life.
  • Use open-ended questions like, "Can you tell me about a recent time when you felt particularly stressed?"

3. Psychoeducation on Stress (5 minutes)

• Understanding Stress
  • Explain what stress is, its common symptoms, and its potential effects on mental health.
  • Introduce the concept of the stress cycle and how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact.

4. Cognitive Restructuring (10 minutes)

• Identifying Stressful Thoughts

  • Activity: Invite the patient to identify and write down one or two thoughts that contribute to their stress.
  • Discussion: Explore how these thoughts affect their feelings and behaviors.

• Challenging Negative Thoughts

  • Work collaboratively to challenge these thoughts. For instance:
    • "What evidence do you have that supports this thought?"
    • "Are there alternative thoughts that can help you view the situation differently?"

5. Coping Strategies (5 minutes)

• Skill Building

  • Introduce a few simple coping strategies:
    • Deep Breathing: Guide the patient through a couple of deep breathing exercises to promote calmness.
    • Grounding Techniques: Explain how focusing on the present moment can help reduce stress.

• Encourage the patient to utilize these techniques when they feel stressed in their daily life.

6. Conclusion and Homework (5 minutes)

• Reflection

  • Ask the patient how they feel about the session and discuss insights gained.

• Homework Assignment

  • Encourage the patient to keep a "thought journal" for the week, noting any stressed moments and the thoughts associated with them. They should also write down any alternative thoughts they come up with.

• Closing

  • Remind the patient of the importance of self-care and reassure them that it’s okay to feel stressed.
  • Schedule the next appointment and thank them for their participation.

Session Goals

• To help the patient gain insight into the sources of their stress.
• To teach coping strategies that can be applied immediately.
• To foster a sense of engagement and ownership over their mental health.