Goal: Find a new way the individual can improve mood - medication adherence, get healthy sleep, reduce/eliminate non-prescribed drugs and/or alcohol, be more active, do something fun, and have contact with positive people outside of family.
Possible Action Steps
Find out if there is something in particular the individual wants to talk about today.
Elicit individual's concerns, questions and ideas related to better managing their depression.
Jointly problem-solve, plan and try one new approach to mitigate symptoms of depression.
Discuss the importance of having fun, having contact with positive people outside of family, relaxing, learning stress management techniques, and acknowledging accomplishments with a small self-reward.
Work with individual to not feel the need to solve the big problems all at once - break into smaller steps and move forward with "baby steps."
Empathize with individual's personal experiences discussed today and provide praise for participating in today's health coaching session. Provide individual with an interesting/helpful supporting resource.
Goal: Identify situations where self-management of depression can be further improved. Revisit past goals as needed.
Possible Action Steps
Find out if there is something in particular that the individual wants to talk about today.
Find out if the individual believes that they can influence their mood through certain behaviors.
Discuss what happened the last time the individual tried to make a change in a health/mood related behavior. Were they successful? Did they relapse?
Together, make a short list of health/mood related behaviors the individual would like to try to make.
What would cause the individual to prevent making a positive health/mood behavior change?
Empathize with individual's personal experiences discussed today and provide praise for participating in today's health coaching session. Provide individual with an interesting/helpful supporting resource.
Goal: Learn techniques to get back on the depression control track.
Possible Action Steps
Find out what the individual would like to talk about today. Learn what is bothering them right now.
Discuss why it is often difficult to adhere to the doctor's prescribed medication and/or psychotherapy or exercise/activity schedule.
Have individual identify ways that are likely to throw them off-track in managing depression symptoms.
Discuss relapse of high-risk behaviors (inactivity, changing or stopping medication schedule, alcohol and/or use of non-prescribed drugs, lousy diet, isolation, being overwhelmed and stressed) -- affirm that it happens to everyone.
Ask individual to identify a few steps they could take to get back on track.
Empathize with individual's personal experiences discussed today and provide praise for participating in today's health coaching session. Provide individual with an interesting/helpful supporting resource.
Goal: Discuss complementary and alternative medical therapies for depression, including the potential they might have to impact symptoms and health.
Possible Action Steps
Find out if the individual has any questions for you today.
Find out what treatment plan the individual has been given by their doctor(s). Clearly express the opinion that research supports the combination of medication + psychotherapy as the most effective treatment for depression.
With an open mind, discuss complementary and alternative medical therapies that are of interest to the individual. Find out what alternative treatments they have used or are currently using, including herbal supplements, acupuncture, or meditation.
Ask individual to always consult a physician before moving forward with any new therapy.
Find out if the individual acknowledges a plan or intention to act on suicidal thoughts. If so, talk about the need to call 9-1-1 or a doctor. (NOTE: In addition, Health Coach is directed to follow company guidelines in this situation.)
Empathize with individual's personal experiences discussed today and provide praise for participating in today's health coaching session. Provide individual with an interesting/helpful supporting resource.