Review Question - QID 210670

A 27-year-old graduate student presents to his primary care physician with concerns about poor sleep quality. The patient states that he often has trouble falling asleep because he is nervous about having to go back to the lab every morning and work with his labmates. He is afraid that he is going to fail out of graduate school. He states that he recently performed poorly at a lab meeting where he had to present his research. This has been a recurrent issue for the patient any time he has had to present in front of groups. Additionally, the patient is concerned that his girlfriend is going to leave him and feels the relationship is failing. The patient has a past medical history of irritable bowel syndrome for which he takes fiber supplements. His temperature is 98.9°F (37.2°C), blood pressure is 117/68 mmHg, pulse is 80/min, respirations are 12/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. A physical exam is within normal limits. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial step in management?