SMART Goals
GOAL 1:
By the end of services, the group will create a positive coping plan for how to navigate pregnancy stressors at least twice a day.
Objectives:
- The group will identify common pregnancy stressors and how to intervene
- The group will learn, identify, and describe positive coping skills and behaviors
Agenda
- Purpose of Session
- Define what a positive coping plan is
- Educate participants on the steps to making a positive coping plan
- Activity
- Discussion
- Closing
Lesson Plan
- Purpose of Session
- The purpose of this session is to help participants gain a better understanding of what a coping plan is, how to create one, and how they can benefit one’s life.
- Define what a positive coping plan is ( Source )
- “A “Coping Plan” is a personalized tool to help you cope when you are distressed.”
- A Coping Plan consists of 4 main elements:
- Things you can do on your own when you are distressed. For example, walk the dog, or do a 10 minute meditation. You can choose from a list of suggestions or write your own. The app provides some guidelines on distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy strategies, akin to the adaptive/ maladaptive strategies I spoke about previously.
- People you can spend time with. These are people whose company is relaxing and rejuvenating. You can select from your phone contacts or enter names and numbers manually. These are the people whose company you will seek out when you are struggling.
- People you can talk to. Similar to above, these are people who can help you work through what is upsetting you, or with whom conversation is easy and relaxing. These are people you might telephone or talk to on social media if you are struggling.
- Professionals who can support you. These are the medical or health or support professionals you call on when distressed. It might be a GP, a counselor or therapist, or one of the publicly available support services like Lifeline. You can enter supports manually, or select from your contacts (especially good if already have a professional support network)
- Educate participants on the steps to making a positive coping plan
- Activity – Incorporate coping skills for participants to do, such as…
- Coloring pages
- Playing calming music
- Journaling
- Breathing exercises
- Discussion
- Do you see yourself using any of these activities in everyday life?
- If not, what other activities would you be interested in using?
- Closing
- Facilitators will ask if participants have any questions or concerns
- Facilitators will then give a brief introduction of what will be discussed in the next session
Resources and Materials Needed for Session
- Handouts
- Handout giving an example of a coping plan
- For activity
- A radio to play calming music
- Journals
- Pens, pencils, markers, etc.
- Coloring pages
Reference List