Psychotherapeutic Session Plan
Session Duration: 30 minutes
Patient Mood: Irritable
Main Condition: Not specific
Engagement Level: Cooperative and participative
Technique: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Session Objectives
- To explore the patient's mood of irritability.
- To identify cognitive distortions contributing to this state.
- To apply CBT techniques to develop awareness and coping strategies.
Session Structure
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
- Greeting and Establishing Rapport: Begin with a warm welcome to create a comfortable environment.
- Brief Overview of the Session: Explain the focus on understanding irritability and using CBT strategies.
2. Mood Exploration (10 minutes)
- Discussion of Irritability: Ask the patient to describe their feelings of irritability.
- Prompt: "Can you tell me about times you've felt particularly irritable recently?"
- Identifying Triggers: Explore any specific situations or thoughts that seem to trigger this irritability.
- Prompt: "What thoughts or situations tend to make you feel more irritable?"
3. Cognitive Distortions (10 minutes)
- Introduce Cognitive Distortions: Briefly explain common cognitive distortions (e.g., all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing, etc.)
- Identifying Personal Distortions: Work with the patient to pinpoint any distortions in their thinking patterns leading to irritability.
- Exercise: Ask the patient to share a recent thought or situation that led to irritability and analyze the thinking pattern together.
- Example: "You mentioned feeling frustrated about a work situation. What thoughts did you have during that moment?"
4. Coping Strategies (5 minutes)
- Developing Coping Techniques: Discuss practical coping strategies that the patient can use when they feel irritability rising.
- Suggestions:
- Deep breathing exercises.
- Taking a short walk or engaging in a physical activity.
- Journaling their thoughts to gain perspective.
- Action Plan: Encourage the patient to commit to using one coping strategy in the coming week.
5. Wrap-Up (5 minutes)
- Summary of Key Points: Recap what was discussed regarding irritability, identifying cognitive distortions, and coping strategies.
- Setting Goals for Next Session: Encourage the patient to observe their mood and thought patterns throughout the week, and mention they can share these observations in the next session.
- Closing Remarks: Thank the patient for their participation and cooperation.
Session Notes
- Document Patient Responses: Take notes on the patient’s insights regarding their irritability and cognitive distortions for future reference.
- Monitor Engagement: Pay attention to the patient's engagement throughout the session, adapting the approach if necessary.
Next Session: Schedule a follow-up session to review the patient's experiences with the implemented coping strategies and continue exploring their cognitive patterns.
By utilizing this structured approach, the session will facilitate the patient's understanding of their irritability while equipping them with effective CBT tools to manage their mood more effectively.