Psychotherapeutic Session Plan
Session Length: 30 Minutes
Patient Background
- Mood: Stressed
- Main Condition: Not specified
- Engagement Level: Neutral or indifferent
Therapeutic Approach
- Technique: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Session Structure
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
- Warm Greeting: Start with a friendly, welcoming tone to create comfort.
- Gentle Inquiry: Ask how the patient has been feeling since the last session, if applicable, aiming to gauge their current emotional state.
2. Identification of Stressors (10 minutes)
- Explore Stress: Ask the patient to share what they think might be contributing to their stress.
- Use Open-Ended Questions: Encourage a dialogue, for example:
- "Can you describe what has been on your mind lately?"
- "What situations recently have felt overwhelming for you?"
3. Cognitive Restructuring (10 minutes)
- Identify Negative Thoughts: Help the patient recognize any negative or unhelpful thoughts associated with their stress.
- Challenge Those Thoughts:
- Discuss alternative perspectives or counterarguments to these negative thoughts.
- Use the Socratic questioning technique to guide the patient in re-evaluating their thought patterns, e.g.:
- "What evidence do you have for this thought?"
- "Are there other ways to view this situation?"
4. Coping Strategies (5 minutes)
- Introduce Basic Coping Techniques: Provide simple strategies that the patient can employ when feeling stressed, such as:
- Mindfulness Meditation: Encourage a short breathing exercise to practice being present.
- Gratitude Journaling: Suggest writing down three things they are grateful for each day to foster a positive mindset.
Session Conclusion
- Recap Key Points: Briefly summarize the main discussion topics and coping strategies shared during the session.
- Encouragement: Acknowledge the patient’s effort in expressing their feelings and encourage them to implement the coping techniques discussed.
- Plan Ahead: Discuss scheduling the next session and any areas they might want to explore further.
Final Notes
- Remain flexible: Since the patient is indifferent, be prepared to adapt based on their level of engagement throughout the session.
- Use empathy: Emphasize understanding their stress is valid and working through it can lead to more positive feelings.
This structured approach aims to guide the session effectively while adhering to the principles of CBT, focusing on addressing the patient's stress in a supportive environment.