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YOUR CART

 

Treatment Plans: Setting Goals using the SMART approach

Be SMART:
Objective goals are SMART
, not vague

Follow the SMART goals format to help formulate solid, measurable goals that will help both you and the client know what you’re working toward.

SPECIFIC – Who, What, When, Where, and How
• For instance, if you indicate you will be addressing coping skills in treatment, identify specific types of coping skills (anger management, communication, etc.).
• Identify specific clinical interventions you will use. 

MEASURABLE – Intensity, Frequency, Duration of Symptoms
• Indicate what sort of objective, quantifiable behavioral indicators will be used to determine if progress is being made in treatment. The measurable component will determine if the goal has been completed. Choose a
quantitative format that best translates what treatment you are hoping to accomplish (Example: “five out of seven days” instead of “60% of the time”).

• Short-term treatment goals work best to show progress over time.

ATTAINABLE – Is the member capable of what is being expected of him/her?
• Is the treatment goal within the client’s power or control?
• Client’s developmental and intellectual abilities should be considered.

REALISTIC – Is your treatment goal a fair expectation?
• Is the bar set too high or too low for this client?
• Is the goal something that a productive, functional member of society would be able to do? (Example: Expecting a “100% reduction in aggression” is not realistic.)

TIME-LIMITED – What is a realistic timeframe to complete the treatment goal(s)?
• “Time-limited” is based on time periods expected of best practices, not never-ending therapy.
• Emphasize gaining the maximum benefit within a specified timeframe.

For Example:
1. Client will reduce anger tantrums at home by learning anger management techniques (self-relaxation, timeouts, stress management) to use daily, as evidenced by no more than 1 reported tantrum per week from aunt and grandmother.

2. Client will learn and implement 3 new calming strategies as part of a new way to manage confrontations with
peers, as evidenced by eliminating physical aggression at school.
​
3. Client will verbalize emotions related to bio-mother and normalize his experience, by discussing at least 3 related emotions per session.

Some example goals & objectives for anxiety could be: 
  • A client wants to be less isolated and will initiate at least one social contact per week for the month. 
  • A client wants to better manage anxiety during the week and will reduce panic attacks from the current 7 times a week to 4 times or fewer in the next three months and will track the number of panic attacks they have in this time period. 
  • Client wants to correct distorted, spiraling thoughts that trigger anxiety and will practice challenging those thoughts with realistic thoughts and breathing techniques when they occur over the next two weeks and will journal about their thoughts.   ​
​Some example goals & objectives for depression could be: 
  • ​Client wants to have less negative thoughts about themselves and will practice positive self-talk when negative thoughts start to encroach for the next two months and will complete a scored questionnaire to determine if negative thoughts decrease. 
  • Client has trouble with sleeping and will keep a sleep journal over the next two weeks to identify any unhealthy habits that should be changed. 
  • Client wants to be more active in order to boost their mood and will engage in at least one physical activity, such as going for a walk, three times a week for the next three weeks and will track how many times they complete an activity.
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Treatment Plan Examples and Worksheets
measurable-vs-non-measurable-goals.pdf
File Size: 312 kb
File Type: pdf
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smart_goals_and_objectives_worksheet.pdf
File Size: 60 kb
File Type: pdf
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treatment-plan-goals-kids-teens.pdf
File Size: 112 kb
File Type: pdf
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treatment_plan_goals_and_objectives_measurable.pdf
File Size: 188 kb
File Type: pdf
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treatment-plan_sample-1.pdf
File Size: 166 kb
File Type: pdf
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sample_treatment_plan_for_anxiety_and_depression.pdf
File Size: 385 kb
File Type: pdf
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Treatment Planning Articles
https://positivepsychology.com/mental-health-treatment-plans/
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Mental-Health-Treatment-Plan#Developing-Goals
​

Valant Treatment Plan Tool

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​Problem: The Diagnosis
Goal: The purpose of therapy (resolution/management/reduction, etc. of the Problem)
Objectives: How the goal is measured to know if treatment is working
Intervention: What the therapist is doing to help the client achieve their goals and objectives

The Problem should only be the diagnosis - anything else you want to say about the problem should be written in the spaces provided below the Problem. For the client's description of the problem, you can copy and paste what the client says the reason for coming to therapy from the Intake Email. 

Keep Goals simple - 1-2 goals is sufficient. Same with Objectives - 1-2 is sufficient. 

Interventions - what you will be doing to help (example: provide individual therapy using CBT to modify cognitive distortions).

Hint: With the Valant Treatment Plan tool, it helps to Expand All right away to better see the layout.
treatment_plan_tool_guide_updated_with_remoting_signing.pdf
File Size: 818 kb
File Type: pdf
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treatment_plan_and_remoting_signing.pdf
File Size: 309 kb
File Type: pdf
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Treatment Planning Overview

treatment_planning_overview.pdf
File Size: 412 kb
File Type: pdf
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​Phases of Treatment Goals
​

  • ​Acute (6-12+ weeks) Treatment Goals - Achieve response and move towards remission as evidenced by a decrease in symptoms and an improvement in functioning

  • Continuation (6-12 months) Treatment Goals - Sustain remission and prevent relapse by targeting any residual symptoms; optimize functioning
​
  • ​Maintenance (>1 year)​ Treatment Goals - Sustain recovery and prevent recurrence

Wiley Treatment Planners

Can be used to get ideas. Not written in SMART goal format, but you can easily make the objectives measurable.
adult_treatment_planner.pdf
File Size: 1519 kb
File Type: pdf
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severe_and_persistent_planner.pdf
File Size: 5232 kb
File Type: pdf
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child_treatment_planner.pdf
File Size: 2332 kb
File Type: pdf
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the_complete_anxiety_treatment_planner.pdf
File Size: 2246 kb
File Type: pdf
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13199-the_adolescent_psychotherapy_treatment_planner_5e.pdf
File Size: 4562 kb
File Type: pdf
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addictions_treatment_planner.pdf
File Size: 4901 kb
File Type: pdf
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the_family_therapy_treatment_planner.pdf
File Size: 2747 kb
File Type: pdf
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crisis_and_trauma_planner.pdf
File Size: 1049 kb
File Type: pdf
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    Want more? Any other forms, files or resources that you want added here? Let me know!

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