Behavioral Therapy Progress Note

Completed note

Patient Identification: adult patient presenting with work-related worry and difficulty unwinding.

History of Present Illness:
Reports frequent worry on most weekdays for about two months, with muscle tension and delayed sleep onset. Symptoms are worse before presentations and ease somewhat after walking. The patient remains at work but has begun avoiding optional meetings. Brief journaling has helped modestly.

Past Psychiatric History:
- No prior psychiatric treatment or self-harm reported.

Past Medical History:
- No relevant medical conditions reported.

Medications:
- No regular medications reported.

Allergies:
- No known drug allergies reported.

Family History:
- A close relative has a history of anxiety.

Social History:
- Lives with a supportive partner; employed; denies recreational drug use.

Mental Status Examination:
- Appearance and behavior: Neat, cooperative.
- Mood and affect: Anxious mood, congruent affect.
- Speech: Normal rate and volume.
- Thought process: Linear; no unusual content elicited.
- Perception: No disturbance reported.
- Cognition: Alert and oriented.
- Insight and judgment: Intact.

Physical Examination:
- No acute physical concern reported.

Investigations:
- Brief anxiety screening completed; responses indicate elevated worry and merit follow-up.

Assessment & Plan:
Adult patient with persistent worry affecting sleep and optional work participation; symptoms may be consistent with an anxiety concern.

1) Worry and avoidance
- Set goal to practice paced breathing and track triggers between sessions.
- Begin cognitive behavioral strategies and review sleep routine.
- Safety and crisis options reviewed; follow up in two weeks.

Illustrative case with invented patient details. This is not a real patient record or clinical guidance. Review each note against your own consultation.

Clinical facts behind the note

Reusable template structure

Behavioural Therapist Consult Note

Patient Identification: [Patient name, age, gender, relevant background, presenting concern]

History of Present Illness:
[Description of presenting behavioural or psychological concerns]
[Onset, duration, frequency, and context of symptoms]
[Associated factors, triggers, and alleviating factors]
[Impact on daily functioning, relationships, school/work performance]
[Previous interventions or therapies attempted and response]

Past Psychiatric History:
(hyphenated list)
- [Previous psychiatric diagnoses]
- [Prior hospitalizations or treatments]
- [History of self-harm, suicidal ideation, or attempts]

Past Medical History:
(hyphenated list)
- [Relevant medical conditions]
- [Developmental history if applicable]

Medications:
(hyphenated list)
- [Medication name, dose, route, frequency]
- [Include psychiatric and non-psychiatric medications]

Allergies:
(hyphenated list)
- [Drug, food, or environmental allergies]
- [No known drug allergies (NKDA) if applicable]

Family History:
(hyphenated list)
- [Psychiatric or behavioural conditions in family members]
- [Relevant medical history]

Social History:
(hyphenated list)
- [Living situation: who lives with patient, home environment]
- [School or work status]
- [Social supports and relationships]
- [Substance use: type, amount, frequency]
- [Legal issues if relevant]
- [Cultural or religious considerations]

Mental Status Examination:
(hyphenated list)
- [Appearance and behaviour]
- [Mood and affect]
- [Speech and language]
- [Thought process and content]
- [Perceptual disturbances]
- [Cognition: orientation, attention, memory]
- [Insight and judgment]

Physical Examination:
(hyphenated list)
- [Vital signs with units if relevant]
- [Physical findings if pertinent to behavioural concerns]

Investigations:
(hyphenated list)
- [Completed investigations and results]
- [Screening tools or rating scales used]

Assessment & Plan:
[One-sentence summary including age, sex, and primary behavioural/psychiatric concern]

#) [Assessment as numbered item if multiple concerns]
(hyphenated list with each corresponding plan item on a new line)
- [Behavioural therapy goals]
- [Interventions planned (e.g., CBT, parent training, social skills training)]
- [Referrals to other providers if needed]
- [Psychoeducation and counselling]
- [Monitoring and follow-up plan]
- [Safety planning and crisis resources]
- [Return precautions]