aidemia--modules-session_ideas_request	Provide some idea(s) for a psychotherapeutic session -
What length (min)	30
Patient mood	Depressed
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

Session Duration: 30 Minutes

Overview

This session focuses on the patient, who is experiencing a depressed mood. The primary approach will be Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Given the patient’s neutral or indifferent engagement level, the session will aim to foster connection, build rapport, and gently encourage self-reflection.

Session Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Greeting and Rapport Building: Begin with a warm welcome, followed by light conversation to help mitigate the patient's indifference.
• Session Purpose: Briefly explain the focus of today’s session on exploring thought patterns that contribute to mood, without pressing for specific issues to be addressed.

2. Mood Check-In (5 minutes)

• Feelings Assessment: Ask the patient to share how they have been feeling since the last session. Use open-ended questions to guide the conversation.
• Mood Tracking: Introduce a simple mood chart and ask the patient to mark their mood levels over the past week.

3. Understanding Thought Patterns (10 minutes)

• Identify Negative Thoughts: Encourage the patient to identify any recent negative thoughts they may have had. Aim to explore:
  • What triggered these thoughts?
  • How did these thoughts make them feel?
• Challenge Cognitive Distortions: Introduce common cognitive distortions (such as overgeneralization, all-or-nothing thinking) and help the patient recognize if they are experiencing any of these.

4. Cognitive Restructuring Exercise (5 minutes)

• Reframing Negative Thoughts: In pairs, help the patient take one identified negative thought and reframe it into a more balanced or positive statement.
• Examples:
  • "I always feel worthless" can be reframed to "I sometimes feel down, but I have value."

5. Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques (3 minutes)

• Mindfulness Check: Lead a brief grounding exercise to bring the patient’s attention to the present moment. For instance, guide them through a 5-4-3-2-1 technique:
  • Name 5 things they can see
  • 4 things they can touch
  • 3 things they can hear
  • 2 things they can smell
  • 1 thing they can taste

6. Session Reflection and Closing (2 minutes)

• Feedback: Ask the patient to reflect on today’s session. What thoughts stood out to them? How do they feel about the reframing exercise?
• Next Steps: Briefly discuss what to expect in the next session and how they can apply reframing techniques during the week.

Conclusion

Conclude the session with a positive affirmation, reinforcing that exploring thoughts and feelings can also be part of managing depressed moods. Encourage the patient to practice the presented techniques during the week, emphasizing that noticing thought patterns is a key step in their therapeutic journey.