aidemia--modules-session_ideas_request	Provide some idea(s) for a psychotherapeutic session -
What length (min)	30
Patient mood	Overwhelmed
Patient condition	Not specific
Relevant challenges	Nothing in particular
Therapeutic technique	Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Use coping techniques	No particular
Patient engagement	Distracted or unfocused
Patient assignment	Nothing specific
Specific mindset	If I do not succeed, I am a failure
Needed behavioural change	No particular
Any other preferences

Psychotherapeutic Session Plan (30 minutes)

Patient Mood: Overwhelmed

Objective

To help the patient manage feelings of being overwhelmed and challenge the mindset contributing to these feelings using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

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Session Outline

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Greeting and Setting the Tone:
  • Welcome the patient warmly and create a comfortable environment.
  • Briefly explain the focus of the session: addressing feelings of being overwhelmed.

2. Assessment of Current State (10 minutes)

• Guided Discussion:

  • Ask the patient open-ended questions to elicit their current emotional state.
  • Example Questions:
    • "Can you describe what has been feeling overwhelming for you recently?"
    • "What specific thoughts come to mind when you feel this way?"

• Active Listening:

  • Validate the patient’s feelings and reflect back what you hear to ensure understanding.

3. Cognitive Restructuring (10 minutes)

• Identifying Negative Thoughts:

  • Encourage the patient to share any negative thoughts they have surrounding their feelings of overwhelm.
  • Focus on the specific mindset: "If I do not succeed, I am a failure."

• Challenging the Mindset:

  • Use Socratic questioning to challenge these thoughts.
    • Ask questions like:
      • "What evidence do you have that not succeeding makes you a failure?"
      • "Can you think of a time when you faced a challenge and didn’t view yourself as a failure?"

• Reframing Thoughts:

  • Guide the patient to reframe negative thoughts into more constructive ones.
    • For example, transforming "If I do not succeed, I am a failure" to "Challenges are opportunities to learn, and every attempt helps me grow."

4. Coping Strategies (5 minutes)

• Skill Building:

  • Introduce simple CBT techniques that the patient can use when feeling overwhelmed:
    • Breathing Exercise: Teach the patient a 4-7-8 breathing technique to use in moments of overwhelm.
      • Steps:
        • Inhale for 4 seconds
        • Hold for 7 seconds
        • Exhale for 8 seconds

• Encouragement to Practice:

  • Suggest that the patient practice this technique at least once a day and especially when experiencing feelings of overwhelm.

5. Wrap-Up and Homework (5 minutes)

• Review Key Points:

  • Summarize the thoughts that were identified and reframed.
  • Reinforce the importance of using coping strategies.

• Assignment:

  • Ask the patient to keep a daily journal for the week.
    • Prompt for Journal:
      • Note instances when they feel overwhelmed, identify accompanying thoughts, and practice reframing those thoughts.

• Scheduling Next Session:

  • Discuss any potential topics or areas of focus for the next meeting, fostering continuity in the therapeutic process.

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Conclusion

• Thank the patient for sharing and engaging in the session.
• Reiterate the availability for support between sessions if needed.