Table 1 Overview of the standardized structure of the sessions
Treatment components | Content |
|---|---|
Short opening discussion about today’s feeling | How do I feel at the moment? Questions about last session, if necessary |
Monitoring home practice | Group conversation about the assigned exercises |
Basic information | Psycho-education about today’s topic (for example communication within relationships) |
Discussion of session topic | Talk between the participants led by the therapist: What do I experience as helpful? How do I cope with severe problems? Motivation: Partners shall learn from the model of others, how to cope more functionally and to be helpful for others |
Practical exercise (incl. Home assignment) | Exercises for in-depth practice of the session topic, e.g., communication role play, integration of positive activities into daily routine |
Outline for the next session | Short outlook on the topic of the next session |
Relaxation/imagination/mindfulness | Introduction to established supportive interventions such as progressive muscle relaxation. Aims: Improvement of relaxation skills, resource activation and mindfulness practice to better cope with negative experiences, thoughts and feelings |
Evaluation | Participant evaluates each session at the end |