Depression is one of the most common conditions therapists work with, but documenting treatment can still feel confusing or time-consuming. A clear plan can help you stay focused and meet record requirements. 

In this article, we share a sample treatment plan for depression that you can actually use in real practice. 

Key Takeaways 

• A good sample treatment plan for depression helps set goals and track progress for each symptom. 

• Measurable objectives and structured interventions make it easier to see real changes in mood and physical health. 

• Berries AI can save time by creating evidence-based treatment plans and keeping documentation easy to review. 

How to Create a Depression Treatment Plan

Creating a depression treatment plan should start with really listening first. Clients usually come in tired, stuck, or unsure how to explain what feels wrong. 48 million Americans are currently battling depression. Your job is to turn their struggles into clear goals and simple steps that can actually make sense to them. 

A sample treatment plan for depression should feel practical, not clinical on paper only. It is the only way you and your client will stay on the same page and adjust the work when life gets messy or things change. 

Evidence-Based Interventions for Depression

When you are creating a sample treatment plan, choosing the right intervention is very important. Using proven methods helps clients progress, which you can evaluate. These strategies are part of evidence-based depression treatment that therapists rely on. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps clients notice negative thoughts and change them. In a sample treatment plan for depression, you can set goals like challenging unhelpful thinking patterns and tracking moods. CBT gives clear goals that show progress slowly but steadily. 

Behavioral Activation

Behavioral activation for depression is the most important part of CBT. This focuses on helping clients do more positive or meaningful activities. In a treatment plan, you might schedule small daily tasks to increase energy and reduce withdrawal. It is easy to measure, which is why it will fit well in a sample treatment plan. 

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

IPT looks at how relationships and social connections affect depression. It helps clients improve connections and manage life changes. There are four main areas in which IPT works, including role transitions, interpersonal conflicts, grief, and social skills. These focus areas can be included directly in a sample treatment plan for depression.

Psychodynamic Approaches

Psychodynamic therapy actually looks at how past experiences affect current feelings and behaviors. In a treatment plan, you can include goals like exploring triggers and understanding recurring emotions. 

Mindfulness-Based Interventions

Mindfulness teaches clients to notice thoughts and feelings without judgment. Goals can include practicing meditation or mindful breathing to reduce stress and increase focus.

Medication Management 

Some clients benefit from medication along with therapy. Treatment plans can track symptoms, side effects, and coordination with prescribers to see what works for them. 

Combined Treatment Approaches

Sometimes using more than one treatment can work really well. For example, CBT plus medication or behavioral activation plus mindfulness can help address different parts of depression. A sample treatment plan for depression can include these combinations for better results.

Writing Measurable Treatment Goals for Depression

Writing goals is another important part of creating a sample treatment plan for depression. Using these simple steps and practical markers makes it easier to track change and adjust the plan when needed.

SMART Goals Framework

SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. They make goals clear and easy to track. For example, a SMART stress management goal could be: “Practice deep breathing for 5 minutes every morning for one week and record how it affects your mood.”

In a sample treatment plan for depression, you can use similar goals for mood or other activity levels.

Behavioral Indicators of Progress

These are small, visible changes that show improvement. For depression, it can include attending sessions regularly or reducing negative self-talk. Including these indicators in the plan helps you and the client see real progress in a few weeks. 

Standardized Assessment Tools

Tools like PHQ-9, BDI-II, or GAD-7 can measure symptoms and track changes. In a treatment plan, you can note the scores at the start and monitor improvement regularly. This makes progress measurable and objective.

Functional Improvement Markers

These show how the client’s daily life is improving. Examples are returning to work or managing household tasks. Writing these markers in the plan makes goals meaningful and connected to real-life functioning.

Client-identified Meaningful Changes

Clients generlly know what matters most to them. Ask them what changes would make life feel better. Including their ideas in the sample treatment plan for depression will increase motivation and make the plan feel more personal. 

Sample Treatment Plan Template for Major Depressive Disorder 

This is a sample treatment plan for depression that shows how a therapist can organize goals, interventions, and progress tracking. You can follow this depression treatment plan template:

Client Demographics 

• Name: Jane Doe

• Age: 32

• Occupation: Teacher

• Living Situation: Lives alone, has a supportive family nearby

Diagnosis 

Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent Moderate (F33.1)

Presenting Problems

• Persistent low mood and sadness most days

• Loss of interest in hobbies and social activities

• Fatigue and low energy

• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions

• Changes in sleep and appetite

Treatment Goals and Objectives

1. Increase engagement in daily activities

• Objective: Schedule at least 3 enjoyable or meaningful activities per week

• Intervention: Behavioral Activation exercises, activity tracking

2. Reduce negative thinking patterns

• Objective: Identify and challenge 3 negative thoughts per day

• Intervention: Cognitive restructuring exercises, thought records

3. Improve social interactions

• Objective: Attend at least 1 social event or reach out to a friend weekly

• Intervention: Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) techniques, role-playing communication skills

4. Improve mood and manage stress

• Objective: Practice mindfulness or relaxation exercises daily

• Intervention: Mindfulness-based interventions, guided meditation

Progress Measurement Methods

• PHQ-9 scores monitored biweekly

• Client self-reports of mood and activity

• Behavioral tracking sheets for social engagement and activities

• Therapist observation notes

Treatment Timeline

• Weeks 1–2: Initial assessment, set goals, introduce CBT and behavioral activation

• Weeks 3–6: Begin IPT and mindfulness exercises, track activities

• Weeks 7–10: Review progress, adjust goals, continue interventions

• Weeks 11–12: Evaluate outcomes, plan next steps or maintenance strategies

Treatment Goals and Objectives by Symptom Domain

Breaking goals into different symptom types makes a sample treatment plan for depression easier to follow. Using measurable objectives for depression helps track progress and see what is working.

Mood Symptoms

For mood symptoms, you can set goals to help the client feel more positive each day, notice fewer moments of sadness, and increase hope for the future.

Objectives

• Increase pleasant activities

• Challenge negative thoughts

Interventions 

• Behavioral activation

• Cognitive restructuring

Cognitive Symptoms

For cognitive symptoms, you can set goals to improve focus at work or school, make more confident decisions, and reduce repetitive negative thinking.

Objectives

• Improve attention

• Reduce rumination

Interventions 

• Mindfulness exercises

• Thought records and problem-solving practice

Behavioral Symptoms

For behavioral symptoms, you can set goals to participate in daily activities, engage more with friends or family, and improve sleep routines.

Objectives

• Increase daily activities

• Improve sleep hygiene

Interventions 

• Activity scheduling

• Sleep protocols and social skills practice

Physical Symptoms

For physical symptoms, you can set goals to have more energy during the day, maintain regular meals, and reduce fatigue or slowed movements.

Objectives

• Improve energy levels

• Stabilize eating patterns

Interventions 

• Exercise planning

• Nutrition consultation and medication evaluation

Adapting Treatment Plans for Different Depression Presentations

Different types of depression need slightly different treatment plans in a sample treatment plan for depression. Each type has its own challenges, so the therapy can match what the client needs to reach their therapy goals for depression.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

Goals for dysthymia can be keeping a daily routine, doing small enjoyable activities, and managing low mood. Interventions can include simple CBT exercises and mindfulness practices.

Major Depression with Anxious Distress

Depression with anxiety can make clients worry a lot and feel tense. Goals can be reducing anxious thoughts, managing stress, and keeping daily habits. Interventions can include CBT, relaxation exercises, and guided breathing.

Depression with Psychotic Features

Some clients may have hallucinations or unusual beliefs. Goals can be staying safe, understanding reality, and taking medications as prescribed. Interventions can include supportive therapy, CBT for psychosis, and working with a psychiatrist.

Postpartum Depression

Goals for postpartum depression can be improving mood, getting enough rest, and bonding with the baby. Interventions can include CBT, interpersonal therapy, and parent-infant activities.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Goals for this disorder can be staying active, keeping a routine, and getting sunlight. Interventions can include light therapy, behavioral activation, and daily activity planning.

Treatment-Resistant Depression

When normal treatments don’t work, goals can include trying new therapy approaches, tracking changes closely, and using different coping skills. Interventions can include combined therapy, medication review, or specialized programs like TMS.

Documentation Best Practices

Good documentation helps track progress and makes therapy more organized. Keeping notes updated and clear also helps therapists see what is working and what needs to change.

• Update treatment plans regularly, at least every three months

• Record progress toward each objective

• Change goals when the client shows improvement or new needs

• Share updates with other providers if needed

• Follow any rules required by insurance for treatment plans

• Use technology to make planning and note-taking faster and easier

AI-Assisted Treatment Planning 

Berries can help therapists create and update treatment plans quickly. They take your session notes and turn them into detailed, measurable plans. This saves time and makes it easier to track client progress while keeping all records organized. Your documentation time can go from 30-45 minutes per session to just a few minutes of review.

Bottom Line

Creating a treatment plan for depression helps both the client and therapist see progress. Start your Berries AI free trial to make planning and updating much faster and easier.

FAQs

How often should I update a depression treatment plan?

It is good to update the plan at least every three months or when the client’s needs change.

What makes a treatment goal "measurable"?

A measurable goal clearly shows what the client will do and how you can track progress, like “Practice taking deep breaths for 5 minutes every day.”

Can I use the same treatment plan template for all depression clients?

You can use a basic template, but it should be adjusted for each client’s symptoms, goals, interventions, and needs.