Adjustment Disorder Treatment Plan Example
A complete, fictional adjustment disorder treatment plan: problem statement, long-term goal, measurable objectives, interventions and how progress is measured. Adapt the structure; build the content from your own assessment.
The MentalNote web app drafts treatment plans, intake assessments and progress notes from a recorded session, for you to review and edit. Free plan: 5 web-app scribe sessions a month, no credit card.
Illustrative example only. The client, scores and every other detail on this page are fictional and were written for this page. This is not a diagnosis, a treatment recommendation or clinical supervision. Build every plan from your own assessment of the client, and follow your licensing board, agency, payer and state requirements.
If a client is in crisis in the US, they can call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). Outside the US, use local emergency services.
Sample adjustment disorder treatment plan
Each objective names who will do what, how it will be measured and by when. Each intervention says what the clinician will do. That link between problem, goal, objective and intervention is what reviewers look for.
Sample treatment plan (fictional client)
| Diagnosis | Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood (ICD-10-CM F43.23), as established by the clinician's diagnostic assessment |
|---|---|
| Presenting problem | Adult client was laid off six weeks ago. Since then reports low mood, worry about money, trouble sleeping and avoiding friends out of embarrassment. Symptoms began within weeks of the job loss. PHQ-9 at intake: 12. GAD-7 at intake: 11. |
| Strengths | Strong work history, supportive friends, good problem solver before the layoff, wants to find work. |
| Problem statement | Distress after job loss is out of proportion to the client's usual coping and is interfering with sleep, job searching and social life. |
| Long-term goal | Client will adapt to the job loss, restore daily structure and return to their usual level of functioning. |
| Short-term objectives |
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| Interventions |
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| Frequency | Weekly individual sessions for 8 to 10 weeks, then review. |
| Measures | PHQ-9 and GAD-7, with the job search log and weekly schedule as behavioral measures. |
| Review | Every 90 days, or sooner if the clinical picture changes, with client participation. Client and clinician sign the plan. |
| Discharge criteria | PHQ-9 and GAD-7 below 10, routine restored and the client using coping and problem-solving skills independently. |
More objectives you can adapt
Replace the numbers and dates with the client's own baseline and targets.
| Area | Example objective |
|---|---|
| Finances | Client will draft a monthly budget and apply for any benefits they are eligible for within three weeks. |
| Sleep | Client will keep a consistent wake time on at least five days a week for four weeks. |
| Self-worth | Client will list five skills or achievements to use in applications and interviews by week 4. |
| Social support | Client will attend one social or networking event every two weeks. |
| Stress management | Client will practice a relaxation or mindfulness skill on four days a week for four weeks. |
Interventions often used
- Supportive psychotherapy
- Problem-solving therapy
- Brief CBT
- Stress management and relaxation training
- Psychoeducation
- Referral to practical resources (employment, financial counseling)
List only interventions you are trained to deliver and the client has agreed to.
Write the progress notes that match
Session notes should refer back to the objectives in the plan. These guides show how:
Other treatment plan examples
Depression Treatment Plan Example
Client will reduce depressive symptoms and return to their usual level of work and social functioning.
Anxiety Treatment Plan Example (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)
Client will reduce worry and anxiety to a level that no longer interferes with sleep, work and relationships.
PTSD Treatment Plan Example
Client will reduce PTSD symptoms enough to drive independently and sleep through most nights.
Adult ADHD Treatment Plan Example
Client will build reliable organization and time-management habits that improve task completion at work and home.
Substance Use Treatment Plan Example (Alcohol Use Disorder)
Client will reduce alcohol use to their chosen target and reduce related harm to relationships and work.
See all examples and the blank template on the treatment plan examples hub, or read how to write treatment plan goals and objectives.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an adjustment disorder treatment plan last?
Adjustment disorder is time-limited by definition: under DSM-5-TR, symptoms do not persist for more than six months after the stressor or its consequences end. Plans are usually brief, with a review at 8 to 12 weeks. If symptoms persist or worsen, reassess the diagnosis.
What goals fit adjustment disorder?
Goals focus on coping with the stressor and restoring functioning: daily routine, practical problem solving, social contact and symptom reduction measured with tools such as the PHQ-9 and GAD-7.
Which interventions are used?
Supportive therapy, problem-solving therapy and brief CBT are common choices. Practical referrals, such as financial counseling after a job loss, can be part of the plan.
Can MentalNote draft a treatment plan?
Yes. The MentalNote web app drafts treatment plans, intake assessments and progress notes from a recorded session, and you review and edit every draft. MentalNote is HIPAA-compliant, with a BAA included on every plan. The free plan includes 5 web-app scribe sessions a month.
Draft treatment plans in less time
Record a session with your client's consent and MentalNote drafts the note or plan for you to review. Free plan: 5 web-app scribe sessions a month, no credit card. Premium is $99/month or $990/year. HIPAA-compliant, with a BAA included on every plan.
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