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

Duration: 30 minutes
Patient Mood: Anxious
Main Condition: Non-specific
Technique: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Patient Engagement: Neutral or indifferent

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Session Outline

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Greeting and Rapport Building

  • Welcome the patient warmly.
  • Engage in small talk to make the patient comfortable.

• Session Objective

  • Briefly explain the session's goals.
  • Emphasize creating a supportive environment for discussing feelings of anxiety.

2. Identifying Anxious Thoughts (10 minutes)

• Thought Exploration

  • Ask open-ended questions to identify specific thoughts contributing to feelings of anxiety.
  • Examples of questions:
    • “What thoughts come to mind when you feel anxious?”
    • “Can you recall a specific situation where you felt this way?”

• Cognitive Distortions

  • Introduce the concept of cognitive distortions (e.g., catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking).
  • Provide examples and ask the patient if they relate to any of these distortions.

3. Challenging and Reframing Thoughts (10 minutes)

• Thought Records

  • Introduce a simplified version of a thought record.
  • Ask the patient to identify one anxious thought and write it down.

• Cognitive Restructuring

  • Guide the patient to challenge the thought with questions such as:
    • “What evidence supports or contradicts this thought?”
    • “How would I respond if a friend had this thought?”

• Reframing

  • Encourage the patient to reframe the thought into a more balanced perspective.
  • Example: Changing “I will fail this task” to “I have prepared well, and I can manage this task.”

4. Coping Strategies (5 minutes)

• Introduce Basic Coping Techniques

  • Discuss simple, practical coping strategies for managing anxiety, such as:
    • Deep breathing exercises.
    • Grounding techniques.

• Practice a Coping Technique

  • Conduct a brief, guided deep breathing exercise to provide immediate relief from anxious feelings.

5. Homework Assignment (5 minutes)

• Thought Record Homework

  • Assign the patient to practice a thought record at least three times before the next session.
  • Encourage them to identify, challenge, and reframe any anxious thoughts that arise.

• Reflection

  • Ask the patient to reflect on how applying these techniques impacted their feelings of anxiety.

6. Closing (5 minutes)

• Session Summary

  • Recap key points discussed during the session.

• Encouragement

  • Reinforce the progress made and encourage the patient to practice coping techniques.

• Next Steps

  • Schedule the next session and remind the patient to bring their thought records.

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Additional Notes

• Pay attention to the patient’s non-verbal cues and adapt the session’s pace accordingly.
• Remain flexible in addressing any unexpected topics the patient may wish to discuss, maintaining a supportive atmosphere.

End of Session Plan