The Cognitive Approach - CBT: Pleasant Activity Scheduling

Question 1

What is the client asked to plan?

Answer 1

the client is asked to plan for each day one pleasant activity they will engage in

Question 2

What could a pleasant activity be?

Answer 2

it could be something that gives them a sense of accomplishment or something that breaks the normal routine

Question 3

What is the client asked to keep a record of?

Answer 3

the client is asked to keep a record of the experience, noting how they felt

Question 4

What happens if the event doesn’t go to plan?

Answer 4

if the event doesn’t go to plan, the client is encouraged to explore what might be done to change it in the future

Question 5

What is pleasant activity an example of?

Answer 5

this is an example of BEHAVIOURAL ACTIVATION TECHNIQUE - helping clients to change their behaviour

Question 6

How does pleasant activity scheduling treat the mental illness?

Answer 6

• this works because engaging in pleasant activities causes positive emotions, and focusing on new things acts as a distraction from negative thinking
• also when things don’t go to plan, taking action to move towards a positive solution stops the client from thinking negatively in both the present and the future