Psychotherapeutic Session Plan
Session Overview
Duration: 60 minutes
Patient's Mood: Overwhelmed
Main Condition: Depression
Specific Issues to Address: Self-esteem
Technique: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Coping Techniques: Distraction techniques
Patient Engagement Level: Neutral/Indifferent
Mindsets to Address: "I am always going to feel this way."
Behavioral Change Requirement: None specified
Session Agenda
1. Introduction (10 minutes)
- Purpose: Establish a comfortable environment for discussion.
- Activities:
- Greet the patient warmly and ensure they feel safe and heard.
- Briefly review the agenda and goals for the session.
- Ask the patient how they have been since the last session, encouraging open dialogue.
2. Assess Current Feelings (10 minutes)
- Purpose: Allow the patient to express feelings and thoughts about their current mood.
- Activities:
- Explore the feelings of being overwhelmed—what specific triggers have contributed to this sensation.
- Encourage the patient to articulate their experience of depression and share any recent thoughts or feelings associated with their self-esteem.
3. Introduction to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Concepts (10 minutes)
- Purpose: Educate the patient on DBT and its relevance to their situation.
- Activities:
- Introduce key DBT skills that can assist in emotional regulation and coping strategies.
- Discuss the importance of both acceptance and change in their current mindset and emotional state.
4. Explore Self-Esteem Issues (10 minutes)
- Purpose: Dig deeper into the core issues around self-esteem.
- Activities:
- Use open-ended questions to help the patient reflect on their beliefs about themselves.
- Challenge the negative thought “I am always going to feel this way” by reframing it as “I can learn to manage my feelings.”
5. Coping Techniques - Distraction (10 minutes)
- Purpose: Introduce distraction techniques to manage overwhelming feelings.
- Activities:
- Teach the patient several distraction strategies (e.g., engaging in a hobby, watching a favorite show, reading, physical exercise, etc.).
- Encourage them to identify activities they enjoy or find helpful.
- Discuss when and how to effectively use these techniques.
6. Complete a Thought Record (15 minutes)
- Purpose: Promote self-awareness and cognitive restructuring by identifying thoughts and feelings.
- Activities:
- Introduce the thought record exercise, explaining how to document thoughts, feelings, and alternative responses.
- Guide the patient through filling out their first thought record, focusing on a recent situation where they felt overwhelmed.
- Help them identify automatic thoughts and challenge these with evidence, introducing more balanced perspectives.
7. Summary and Homework Assignment (5 minutes)
- Purpose: Reinforce the session's learning points and encourage continued self-reflection.
- Activities:
- Summarize key insights from the session.
- Assign homework: Complete at least two thought records before the next session, focusing specifically on situations that trigger feelings of being overwhelmed and how distractions were applied.
- Schedule the next session and remind the patient to practice one of the distraction techniques they found appealing.
Closing Remarks
At the end of the session, remind the patient that it is common to feel overwhelmed and that change is possible with practice and application of the skills learned. Encourage them to be patient with themselves and recognize the small steps taken toward improvement.
Note: Ensure that the session is flexible and allow the patient to guide the conversation whenever they feel it's necessary.