Session 7: Affect and Mood Management

Abstract Session 7 expands on material from Session 6 and teaches clients about the relationship between their “automatic thoughts” and feelings. It lists different types of thoughts that are not usually helpful because they tend to aggravate bad moods; sometimes these types of thoughts are called “thinking errors.” Clients will learn to identify unhelpful thoughts and how these thoughts make them feel, and to cope with these thoughts by challenging and replacing them with more helpful thoughts, or by stepping back and letting them go using acceptance and mindfulness strategies. Clients will recognize and track unhelpful automatic thoughts going forward. They will also learn additional strategies to de-stress and to regulate strong negative emotions. At the end of the session clients will identify upcoming high-risk situations and develop plans to cope without using alcohol or drugs. the therapist also will review homework for the upcoming week.