Single Session (SSn) Case Note
Session Details:
client has consented to use AI clinical notation tool Heidi, clinician has provided client with information sheet on how Heidi handles and uses client information and client has been able to discuss any questions or concerns they have. Notes generated by Heidi and reviewed by clinician at the end of session
1 November 2024, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Client Identifier: CS001
Counsellor: Dr. Sarah Jenkins
Was confidentiality, privacy and consent discussed with the student?
Yes, confidentiality, privacy, and consent were thoroughly discussed. The client confirmed understanding of the limits to confidentiality, particularly regarding self-harm or harm to others, and understood how their personal information would be stored and used.
Details of Consent
Consent was obtained for the single session of counselling, with the understanding that information shared would be used solely for the purpose of therapeutic support and documentation, and that anonymised data might be used for service improvement. The client explicitly consented to the use of the AI clinical notation tool, Heidi, after reviewing the information sheet and having all questions answered.
Presenting Concern/s
The client, a 22-year-old university student, presented with significant academic stress and anxiety related to upcoming final exams. They reported difficulty concentrating, persistent worry about failing, and experiencing panic attacks in the week leading up to the session. These symptoms have been present for approximately three weeks, intensifying recently, and are impacting their sleep and appetite. They expressed feeling overwhelmed and isolated.
Brief Relevant Background Details
The client has no previous history of mental health support. They are an international student, living away from their family for the first time. They reported a generally good relationship with their family but feels unable to burden them with their current struggles. There is no family history of significant mental health issues. The client maintains a part-time job alongside their studies, which adds to their time pressures.
Client's current support network includes a few close friends at university with whom they occasionally socialise. They also connect with their family via video calls bi-weekly. There is no formal support network currently in place.
Mental State Examination (MSE):
General appearance: The client was neatly dressed in casual attire, appeared slightly fatigued with mild dark circles under their eyes. Good personal hygiene.
Behaviour and psychomotor activity: Client was cooperative, maintaining good eye contact throughout the session. Fidgeted occasionally with their hands but no overt psychomotor agitation or retardation observed.
Mood and affect: Mood was reported as 'anxious' and 'stressed'. Affect was congruent with mood, showing a restricted range, appearing tense and worried. No lability.
Speech: Speech was of normal rate and volume, clear articulation. No pressure of speech or poverty of speech noted.
Thought process: Thought process was logical and coherent, goal-directed. No evidence of tangentiality, circumstantiality, or flight of ideas.
Content of thoughts: Preoccupied with academic performance and fear of failure. No delusions, obsessions, or suicidal ideation reported.
Perceptual disturbances: No hallucinations or illusions reported.
Orientation: Fully oriented to person, place, and time.
Memory: Intact for immediate, recent, and remote recall.
Insight: Good insight into their current anxiety being linked to academic pressure and understanding its impact on their daily functioning.
Judgment: Good judgment demonstrated in seeking support for their difficulties.
Agreed focus of the session
The agreed focus was to develop immediate coping strategies for managing exam-related anxiety and to explore realistic academic expectations.
Outcome student wants from the session
The client expressed a desire to leave the session with practical tools to reduce their anxiety and a clearer plan for how to approach their studies in the coming weeks.
Risk Assessment and Management:
No current suicidal ideation, self-harm, or harm to others reported. No family violence or child protection concerns identified. Client denied any past history of self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Risk of increased anxiety and potential academic underperformance due to stress acknowledged. Safety planning focused on self-care strategies and identification of trusted individuals to contact in crisis. No referrals to external authorities were necessary at this time.
Counselling Interventions and Discussion:
Utilised solution-focused CBT techniques, including identifying current strengths and past successes in managing stress. Explored cognitive distortions related to 'catastrophising' exam outcomes and introduced reframing techniques. Discussed practical anxiety management strategies such as deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and time management tips for studying. Explored the 'miracle question' to help the client envision a future without this anxiety.
Key insights gained by the client included the realisation that their self-worth is not solely tied to academic success and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. They also understood the importance of breaking down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
Client's expressed level of engagement was high, demonstrating readiness for change and actively participating in discussions and exercises.
Resources provided
A handout on anxiety management techniques (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation), a link to university's academic support services for study skills, and information on healthy sleep hygiene.
Client Plan/Next Steps
1. Practice deep breathing exercises for 5-10 minutes twice daily.
2. Dedicate specific, timed blocks for studying, including short breaks, rather than continuous prolonged periods.
3. Identify one non-academic enjoyable activity to engage in each day for stress relief.
4. Contact a friend if anxiety levels become overwhelming.
5. Review the university's academic support services website for time management workshops.
Resources provided: Handout on anxiety management, link to university academic support services.
No further appointment scheduled at this time, however, the client was encouraged to re-book if symptoms persist or worsen after implementing the strategies.
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
Single Session (SSn) Case Note
Session Details:
"client has consented to use AI clinical notation tool Heidi, clinician has provided client with information sheet on how Heidi handles and uses client information and client has been able to discuss any questions or concerns they have. Notes generated by Heidi and reviewed by clinician at the end of session"
[Date and time of the counselling session] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Client identifier or pseudonym] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Counsellor identifier or name] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Was confidentiality, privacy and consent discussed with the student?
[Details on whether confidentiality, privacy, and consent were discussed with the student, including any specific points of discussion or clarification.] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Details of Consent
[Specific details regarding the consent obtained from the student, including the scope of consent, any limitations, and confirmation of understanding.] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Presenting Concern/s
[Detailed description of the primary concerns presented by the student, encompassing their nature, duration, and any factors contributing to them.] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Brief Relevant Background Details
[Concise summary of relevant background information pertinent to the student's presenting concerns, including relevant personal history or previous experiences.] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Description of the client's current support network, including individuals, groups, or resources available to them, and the nature of this support] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Mental State Examination (MSE):
[Description of the client's general appearance, including their presentation, hygiene, and clothing] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Assessment of the client's behaviour and psychomotor activity, including any unusual movements or restlessness] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Evaluation of the client's mood (subjective emotional state) and affect (objective emotional expression), noting their congruence and range] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Description of the client's speech, including its rate, volume, tone, and coherence] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Assessment of the client's thought process (how thoughts are formed and organized), including any evidence of tangentiality, circumstantiality, or flight of ideas] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Summary of the content of the client's thoughts, including any preoccupations, delusions, or obsessions] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Evaluation of the presence or absence of perceptual disturbances, such as hallucinations or illusions] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Assessment of the client's orientation to person, place, and time] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Evaluation of the client's memory, including immediate, recent, and remote recall] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Assessment of the client's insight into their presenting issue and their understanding of its impact] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Evaluation of the client's judgment, including their ability to make sound decisions and understand the consequences of their actions] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Agreed focus of the session
[Description of the specific areas or topics that were mutually agreed upon by the student and clinician to be the main focus of the current session.] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Outcome student wants from the session
[The student's expressed desired outcome or goal for the current session, detailing what they hope to achieve or gain.] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Risk Assessment and Management:
[Identification and assessment of any current or historical risk factors, including but not limited to suicidal ideation, self-harm, harm to others, family violence, child protection concerns, or neglect, along with their severity and immediacy] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Specific actions taken or referrals made to mitigate identified risks, including safety planning, notification of relevant authorities, or liaison with other professionals] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Counselling Interventions and Discussion:
[Summary of the solutions-focused CBT techniques and strategies discussed or applied during the session to address the presenting issue] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Key insights or understandings gained by the client during the session] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Client's expressed level of engagement and readiness for change] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Resources provided
[Details of any resources, materials, or information provided to the student during or after the session.] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Client Plan/Next Steps
[Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound tasks or strategies agreed upon with the client to be implemented before the next session or as ongoing self-help] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Any resources or further information provided to the client] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
[Details of any scheduled future appointments or follow-up contact] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
(Never come up with your own patient details, assessment, plan, interventions, evaluation, and plan for continuing care - use only the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note as a reference for the information included in your note. If any information related to a placeholder has not been explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes or clinical note, you must not state the information has not been explicitly mentioned in your output, just leave the relevant placeholder or omit the placeholder completely.) (Use as many lines, paragraphs or bullet points, depending on the format, as needed to capture all the relevant information from the transcript.)