Psychotherapeutic Session Plan (30 Minutes)
Patient Mood: Irritable
- Main Condition: Relationship Issues
- Focus: Communication Difficulties
Session Overview
In this 30-minute session, the goal is to address the patient’s irritability and enhance communication skills to improve their relationships. We will apply Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to help the patient identify maladaptive thought patterns and develop healthier communication strategies.
Session Agenda
1. Check-In (5 minutes)
- Purpose: Assess the patient's current mood and feelings.
- Approach:
- Invite the patient to share any recent experiences that might have contributed to their irritability.
- Use open-ended questions to facilitate discussion, e.g., "How have you been feeling since our last session?"
2. Identify Communication Barriers (10 minutes)
- Purpose: Explore specific communication difficulties the patient is facing.
- Activities:
- Ask the patient about recent conflicts or misunderstandings in their relationships.
- Guide them to identify thoughts or beliefs that lead to irritability during conversations (e.g., "I always feel unheard").
- Use CBT techniques to challenge these thoughts by asking:
- "Is there evidence for or against this thought?"
- "What would you tell a friend in the same situation?"
3. Skill Building: Effective Communication Strategies (10 minutes)
- Purpose: Teach practical communication skills.
- Activities:
- Introduce and role-play “I” statements (e.g., "I feel upset when...") as a way to express feelings without blaming others.
- Discuss the importance of active listening and reflecting back what the other person has said to ensure understanding.
- Encourage the patient to express what they need or want in their relationships clearly.
4. Assignment and Goal Setting (5 minutes)
- Purpose: Reinforce learning and encourage practical application.
- Assignment:
- The patient will identify a support person (friend or family member) and have a conversation using the skills learned in this session.
- They will reflect on the interaction, noting both positive outcomes and areas for improvement.
- Goal Setting: Ask the patient to set a specific goal for social interaction over the next week, aiming to connect with this support person more regularly.
Closing Thoughts
- End the session by summarizing key points discussed.
- Encourage the patient to take note of their feelings and progress over the coming days.
- Schedule a follow-up session to monitor progress and refine communication strategies.
Essential Reminders for the Patient
- Remember, change takes time and practice.
- It is okay to feel frustrated, but aim to replace negative thoughts with constructive ones during conversations.
- Engage with your support person openly and honestly, utilizing the skills learned.
This structure aims to empower the patient to manage their irritability and enhance their communication skills within relationships, fostering healthier interactions moving forward.