aidemia--modules-session_ideas_request	Provide some idea(s) for a psychotherapeutic session -
What length (min)	60
Patient mood	Numb
Patient condition	Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Relevant challenges	Trauma and PTSD
Therapeutic technique	Any
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 for Patient Experiencing Numbness Due to PTSD

Duration: 60 Minutes
Main Focus: Addressing trauma and PTSD
Patient Mood: Numb
Patient Engagement: Neutral/indifferent
Technique: Mindfulness and grounding exercises

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Session Outline

1. Introduction and Session Goals (5 minutes)

• Greeting and Check-In: Welcome the patient and engage in brief small talk to foster a sense of safety.
• Session Objectives: Explain the purpose of today's session, emphasizing that it will focus on exploring feelings of numbness and how to begin addressing past trauma.

2. Mindfulness Exercise (10 minutes)

• Guided Mindfulness Practice:
  • Introduce a simple mindfulness exercise aimed at increasing present-moment awareness.
  • Instructions:
    1. Find a comfortable seated position.
    2. Close the eyes, or keep them gently focused on a point.
    3. Take three deep breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth.
    4. Focus on the sensations of breathing—how the air feels entering and leaving the body.
    5. Gently guide attention to any thoughts or feelings that arise; observe them without judgment.
• Debrief: Discuss how it felt during the exercise, encouraging the expression of any thoughts or sensations experienced.

3. Exploration of Numbness (15 minutes)

• Open-Ended Questions:

  • Encourage the patient to explore their feelings of numbness:
    • “Can you describe when you first began to feel this way?”
    • “What situations or thoughts amplify this feeling?”
  • Listen actively, validating their experiences and feelings.

• Identifying Triggers:

  • Help the patient identify potential triggers for their numbness, discussing any recent events or stressors.

4. Grounding Technique (10 minutes)

• Introducing Grounding Techniques:

  • Explain the importance of grounding in reconnecting with the present moment.

• 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Exercise:

  • Guide the patient in this exercise:
    • 5 Things You Can See: Encourage scanning the room and naming five objects.
    • 4 Things You Can Feel: Invite the patient to notice textures, such as the chair or their clothes.
    • 3 Things You Can Hear: Prompt them to listen for ambient sounds.
    • 2 Things You Can Smell: Ask them to identify scents in the room (if applicable).
    • 1 Thing You Can Taste: Encourage them to reflect on any lingering taste in the mouth.

• Debrief: Discuss how the exercise impacted their feelings of numbness, encouraging honest reflections.

5. Developing Actionable Steps (15 minutes)

• Identifying Coping Strategies:

  • Collaborate with the patient to brainstorm simple coping strategies for when numbness arises in daily life. Examples might include journaling, engaging with nature, or light physical activity.

• Self-Compassion Discussion:

  • Guide a conversation around self-compassion and its role in managing feelings of numbness. Discuss the importance of being kind to oneself during difficult times.

6. Session Closure and Homework (5 minutes)

• Summary of the Session:

  • Recap the mindfulness and grounding techniques practiced, emphasizing their potential benefits in managing numbness and trauma.

• Assign a Homework Task:

  • Encourage the patient to practice the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise at least once a day until the next session. Suggest keeping a journal documenting any changes in their feelings of numbness.

• Closing Remarks:

  • Thank the patient for their participation and openness during the session. Invite any final thoughts or questions before concluding.

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Note: Ensure to progress according to the patient’s level of comfort and engagement, adjusting the session's content as needed based on real-time feedback.