Mental Wellbeing Support
Through supportive guidance and evidence-based techniques, I’ll help you cultivate a resilient mindset and navigate life’s challenges with greater ease.
What does a mental wellbeing session include?
It’s great you’re prioritising your mental well-being! A baseline assessment for a mental wellbeing session is a bit different than a physical health assessment. It focuses more on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Here’s what it might include:
Reason for seeking support
- Primary concerns: What brings you to the session? What are you hoping to address? (e.g., anxiety, stress, low mood, relationship issues, grief)
- Symptoms: What specific symptoms are you experiencing? (e.g., difficulty sleeping, racing thoughts, low energy, irritability, changes in appetite)
- Duration of symptoms: How long have you been experiencing these challenges?
- Previous mental health support: Have you sought help before? If so, what was helpful or unhelpful?
Emotional well-being
- Mood and emotions: How would you describe your overall mood? How often do you experience different emotions?
- Emotional regulation: How do you cope with difficult emotions?
- Self-esteem and confidence: How do you feel about yourself?
- Stress levels: How stressed do you feel in general? What are your main stressors?
Mental and Cognitive Functioning:
- Thought patterns: Are you experiencing any negative or intrusive thoughts?
- Concentration and focus: Are you able to concentrate on tasks?
- Memory: Have you noticed any changes in your memory?
- Decision-making: Do you find it difficult to make decisions?
Behavioral Patterns:
- Sleep habits: How much sleep do you get? Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep?
- Daily routine: What does a typical day look like for you?
- Social connections: How often do you interact with others? Do you have a supportive network?
- Substance use: Do you use alcohol, tobacco, or other substances?
- Coping mechanisms: How do you typically cope with stress or challenges?
Lifestyle Factors:
- Physical activity: Do you engage in regular exercise?
- Nutrition: How would you describe your diet?
- Work-life balance: Do you feel like you have a good balance between work and personal life?
- Hobbies and interests: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Personal History:
- Significant life events: Have you experienced any major life changes or traumas?
- Family history of mental health concerns: Are there any mental health conditions that run in your family?
Goals and Expectations:
- What are your goals for mental wellbeing? What do you hope to achieve through these sessions?
- What are your expectations of the therapist/coach?
Important Considerations:
- Openness and honesty: Be open and honest with your therapist/coach. The more information they have, the better they can understand your needs and tailor support.
- Comfort level: If you feel uncomfortable with any questions, you can always decline to answer.
- Collaborative approach: The assessment is a starting point for a collaborative journey. Work together with your therapist/coach to develop a plan that aligns with your goals.
In Summary:
This assessment helps the mental wellbeing practitioner get a holistic picture of your current mental state. This allows them to tailor the sessions to your specific needs and goals, whether that involves developing coping strategies, exploring thought patterns, or making lifestyle changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn How it Works!
What is a mental wellbeing session?
A mental wellbeing session focuses on assessing and improving your emotional and mental health. It includes discussions about your thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and coping strategies tailored to your specific needs.
What does a typical session include?
Sessions typically include a baseline assessment covering:
- Reason for Seeking Support: discussing primary concerns and symptoms.
- Emotional Well-being: evaluating mood, emotional regulation, and stress levels.
- Mental and Cognitive Functioning: Assessing thought patterns, concentration, and decision-making.
- Behavioural Patterns: reviewing sleep habits, daily routines, and coping mechanisms.
- Lifestyle Factors: discussing physical activity, nutrition, and work-life balance.
- Personal History: considering significant life events and family history of mental health issues.
- Goals and Expectations: Setting personal goals for mental wellbeing.
How long is each session?
Each session typically lasts about an hour, allowing ample time to discuss your concerns and develop strategies for improvement.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions varies based on individual needs. Some may benefit from just a few sessions, while others may require ongoing support.
How effective are these sessions?
Effectiveness can vary from person to person. Many find that the collaborative approach helps them develop coping strategies, explore thought patterns, or make lifestyle changes that positively impact their wellbeing.
Remember, if you feel the support isn’t effective after several sessions, it’s important to communicate this so we can adjust our approach or suggest alternative options that may be more beneficial.
Will my information be kept confidential?
Yes, all discussions during your sessions are confidential. Information will only be shared with your consent or if there is a risk of harm to yourself or others.