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

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Objectives

• To help the patient explore their feelings of stress.
• To introduce Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to manage stress.
• To increase patient engagement through reflection and structured exercises.

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Session Outline

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Greeting and Check-In:
  • Start with a warm welcome and brief personal check-in to create a comfortable atmosphere.
  • Ask open-ended questions about their day or week to gauge recent experiences contributing to stress.

2. Understanding Stress (10 minutes)

• Discussion:

  • Encourage the patient to describe what "stress" means to them. Ask about physical, emotional, or cognitive symptoms they may be experiencing.
  • Facilitate a dialogue around their current situation, helping them identify any patterns or triggers linked to their stress.

• Exploring Thoughts:

  • Introduce the ABC Model of CBT:
    • A – Activating Event (What triggers their stress?)
    • B – Beliefs (What thoughts or beliefs do they have about these events?)
    • C – Consequences (What emotional and behavioral consequences arise from these beliefs?)

3. Cognitive Restructuring Exercise (10 minutes)

• Identifying Negative Thoughts:

  • Guide the patient through identifying any negative or unhelpful thoughts contributing to their stress.

• Challenging Thoughts:

  • Teach the patient to question these negative thoughts.
    • Introduce questions like:
      • What evidence do I have for this thought?
      • Is there a more balanced way to look at this situation?
      • What would I tell a friend if they were in my shoes?

• Reframing:

  • Encourage the patient to reformulate their negative thoughts into more positive and constructive beliefs.

4. Coping Strategies (3 minutes)

• Relaxation Techniques:

  • Briefly introduce grounding techniques or mindfulness exercises.
  • Examples:
    • Deep breathing exercises or a short guided mindfulness practice focusing on the present moment.

• Homework Suggestion:

  • Suggest keeping a thought diary to record stressful situations, thoughts, and new reframed beliefs over the next week.

5. Session Closure (2 minutes)

• Recap and Feedback:

  • Summarize the key points discussed during the session.
  • Ask for feedback on the patient’s feelings regarding the techniques introduced.

• Encouragement:

  • Reinforce that practicing CBT techniques can help them manage stress effectively, and encourage their willingness to engage with the process.

• Schedule Next Session:

  • End the session by discussing a follow-up and any particular topics they may want to work on in the next meeting.

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Notes for Therapist

• Maintain a supportive and non-judgmental tone throughout the session.
• Adapt the pace based on patient engagement and responses, ensuring they feel heard and valued.
• Be prepared to adjust the content based on the patient’s feedback during the session.