Psychotherapeutic Session Plan: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Session Duration
Total Time: 30 minutes
Session Objectives
- To help the patient identify sources of stress and cognitive distortions related to their current mood.
- To introduce basic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to promote stress management.
- To encourage patient engagement and begin developing coping strategies.
Session Outline
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
- Greeting:
- Welcome the patient and create a comfortable environment.
- Session Overview:
- Briefly explain the purpose of using CBT in this session and what they can expect.
2. Identifying Stressors (10 minutes)
- Discussion:
- Invite the patient to talk about what specifically feels stressful at the moment, even if there are no specific issues to address.
- Prompt with questions such as:
- "What has been on your mind lately?"
- "Are there situations or thoughts that seem to add to your stress?"
- Reflection:
- Encourage the patient to reflect on the nature of their thoughts. Are any patterns or cognitive distortions present, such as:
- Catastrophizing?
- All-or-nothing thinking?
- Overgeneralization?
3. Introduction to Cognitive Distortions (5 minutes)
- Education:
- Provide a brief overview of common cognitive distortions and how they can impact mood and stress levels.
- Example:
- Use a relatable example (e.g., thinking "I always mess things up" instead of recognizing specific instances where things went well).
4. Cognitive Restructuring Techniques (5 minutes)
- Exercise:
- Guide the patient through a simple cognitive restructuring exercise:
- Ask them to identify a specific thought causing stress.
- Help them challenge this thought by:
- Evaluating the evidence for and against this thought.
- Considering alternative, more balanced thoughts.
5. Coping Strategy Development (5 minutes)
- Techniques:
- Introduce a couple of general coping strategies that the patient can implement when they feel stressed, such as:
- Deep breathing exercises.
- Mindfulness moment (e.g., focusing on the present).
- Activity:
- If time allows, lead the patient through a quick deep breathing exercise to illustrate one method.
6. Conclusion and Homework Assignment (5 minutes)
- Recap:
- Summarize key points discussed during the session.
- Assignment:
- Encourage the patient to keep a thought diary over the week to identify any cognitive distortions and practice restructuring those thoughts.
- Closing:
- Schedule the next session, invite any final questions, and offer reassurance regarding the progress being made.
Session Notes
- Monitor patient engagement throughout the session.
- Be prepared to adjust the focus based on the patient's responses and emotional cues.
- Emphasize the importance of exploration in addressing stress, regardless of the absence of specific issues.
By using this structured yet flexible approach, the session aims to address the patient's stress while utilizing CBT techniques to promote self-awareness and coping strategies.