Evidence-Based Treatment Planning Guide for Mental Health Professionals

About the Book

The Complete Adult Psychotherapy Treatment Planner helps clinicians clarify, simplify, and accelerate the treatment planning process so they can spend less time on paperwork and more time with clients.  This sixth edition represents the gold standard in clinical treatment planning resources, offering mental health professionals a comprehensive toolkit that combines efficiency with clinical excellence. Whether you’re a graduate student developing your first treatment plans or a seasoned clinician managing a busy practice, this guide eliminates the guesswork from documentation while ensuring your plans meet the rigorous standards of managed care companies, insurance providers, and accrediting agencies.

About the Authors

Arthur E. Jongsma Jr. is the Series Editor for the bestselling PracticePlanners and has provided professional mental health services to both inpatient and outpatient clients for approximately 50 years. He was the Founder and Director of Psychological Consultants, a group private practice in Michigan for 25 years, and is the author or co-author of over fifty books. L. Mark Peterson is an ACSW who was Program Manager for Bethany Christian Services’ Residential Treatment and Family Counseling programs, while Timothy J. Bruce is a Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Together, they bring decades of clinical expertise and academic rigor to this trusted resource.

Who Is This Book For?

This essential resource is designed for psychologists, licensed therapists, clinical social workers, addiction counselors, psychiatrists, graduate students in mental health programs, and all mental health professionals who need to create formal treatment plans. If you’re tired of spending hours crafting treatment documentation, struggling to find the right clinical language, or worried about meeting insurance and accrediting agency requirements, this book will become your most-used reference. It’s perfect for both private practitioners managing their own documentation and agency clinicians working within larger systems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Does this treatment planner include DSM-5 compatible content?
Yes, the sixth edition is fully updated with DSM-5 diagnosis codes and treatment components. The easy-to-use format allows you to locate treatment plan elements by either presenting problem or DSM-5 diagnosis, ensuring compatibility with current diagnostic standards.

Q: How does this book save time for busy therapists?
Instead of starting from scratch, you’ll select from thousands of prewritten, evidence-based treatment statements that you can customize for each client. What once took hours now takes minutes, and you can still personalize plans while meeting all documentation requirements for insurance and accrediting agencies.

Q: What mental health issues are covered in this treatment planner?
The book covers 45 presenting problems including anger management, depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, PTSD, low self-esteem, social anxiety, phobias, borderline personality disorder, chronic pain, intimate relationship conflicts, and newly added chapters on loneliness and opioid use disorder.

Q: Is this treatment planner suitable for new therapists or only experienced clinicians?
This resource works for both. New therapists appreciate the clear guidance and professional terminology that helps them learn proper treatment planning, while experienced clinicians value the time-saving efficiency and comprehensive coverage that streamlines their workflow.