Therapy Goals

Here is a list of common goals for many people. Individualized, timed, specific, and measurable goals are not listed here.

Refer to each individual treatment plan for more specific goals.

Goal # 1

After I have been in counseling for 3 months minimum, I will be able to verbalize a basic understanding of the following approaches to therapy and how each works and integrates with the others, as measured by self-reports and clinician’s observations.

  • Internal Family Systems; Parts Work
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy
  • Emotion Focused Therapy
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Motivational Enhancement Therapy; Motivational Interviewing
  • Attachment Theory
  • Somatic Approaches; Sensorimotor Psychotherapy; Polyvagal Theory
  • Mind-Body Practices
  • Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy; Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
  • Holistic Approach: Strengthening Your Conscious Self

Goal # 2

After I have been in counseling for a minimum of 3 months, I will report a reduction or improvement in symptoms (consequences, frequency, duration, severity) of any of these issues that I might be experiencing: (as measured by self-reports and clinician’s observations)

  • Adjustment to Life Changes
  • Anger and Irritability
  • Anxiety and Panic
  • Attention Deficits and Impulsivity
  • Autism Spectrum Functioning
  • Bipolar (Mania and Depression)
  • Childhood Attachment Issues/Trauma
  • Chronic Pain and Fatigue
  • Depression and Grieving
  • Disordered Eating Problems
  • Personality Disorders
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Substance Use/Dependence

Goal # 3

After I have been in counseling for a minimum of 3 months, I will have developed a relapse prevention plan, and will be reviewing it daily and putting it into practice in my daily life. The plan will be preventing relapse of unwanted behaviors and/or symptoms, as measured by self-reports and clinician’s observations.

  • Process addiction behaviors
  • Alcohol and drug abuse
  • Self harming behaviors
  • Eating disorder behaviors
  • High risk behaviors
  • Relationship conflicts
  • Aggressive or violent behavior
  • Connection/Attention seeking behaviors
  • Fears and phobias avoidant behavior
  • Impulsive behaviors
  • Obsessive compulsive behaviors

Goal # 4

After I have been in counseling for a minimum of 3 months, I will report that I have achieved and have been able to maintain a satisfactory level of functioning in daily activities of living in the folowing domains: (as measured by self-reports and clinician’s observations)

  • Social/Community
  • Immediate/Extended Family
  • Friends/Coworkers
  • Romantic Relationships
  • Occupation/Career
  • Academic/Educational
  • Financial

Goal # 5

After I have been in counseling for a minimum of 3 months, I will report that I have improved my subjective satisfaction in relationships, communication, and conflict resolution, as measured by self-reports and clinician’s observations.

  • I will have learned the use of IFS informed I statements. “A part of me…”
  • I will have learned to be honest and vulnerable with expressing emotions and thoughts.
  • I will have learned to be assertive and confident when setting boundaries, negotiating rules, and making requests. 

Goal # 6

After I have been in counseling for a minimum of 3 months, I will report that I have learned and practiced crisis interventions, emotional regulation skills, anger management, distress tolerance skills, grounding techniques, breathing exercises, and coping skills that have resulted in a reduction of symptom severity, frequency, and duration, as measured by self-reports and clinician’s observations.

Goal # 7

After I have been in counseling for a minimum of 3 months, I will report that I have developed and maintained a higher level of self awareness, greater insight and understanding, new knowledge, and improved wisdom, as measured by self-reports and clinician’s observations. This goal will include self-knowledge of my core beliefs and values, character strengths and virtues, emotions and sensations, expectations and interpretations, perceptions, schemas and cognitive distortions, cognitive biases, implicit biases, and logical fallacies.

Goal # 8

After I have been in counseling for a minimum of 3 months, I will report that I have developed and maintained a structured routine of health and wellness daily maintenance, self-care, relapse prevention, crisis prevention, and self-compassion, as measured by self-reports and clinician’s observations.

Goal # 9

After I have been in counseling for a minimum of 3 months, I will report improved subjective satisfaction with my overall health and wellness (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, occupational), as measured by self-reports and clinician’s observations.

Goal # 10

After I have been in counseling for a minimum of 3 months, I will report having a meaningful life in my community while striving to achieve my fullest potential during my journey of healing, improvement, and transformation, as measured by self-reports and clinician’s observations.

Goal # 11

After I have been in counseling for a minimum of 3 months, I will have started addressing individual needs and problems as they arise (Refer to the Wiley Treatment Planner Series)

Goal # 12

After I have been in counseling for a minimum of 3 months, I will be able to verbalize the necessary requirements for termination of therapy, including referrals, additional supports, case management, scheduling booster sessions, and scheduling regular follow up visits.

The treatment plan, therapy outline, goals, objectives, and interventions are subject to change as your therapist develops new skills, attains new certifications, and integrates new material into this website. You may or may not be given notice of any changes in advance of updates to this page