DEVELOPING A PERSONALIZED TREATMENT PLAN

TREATMENT PLANS 

TO HELP 

IN DEALING WITH MENTAL EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES

WHEN A PERSON DEVELOPS A TREATMENT PLAN, IT HAS A MORE POWERFUL AND LASTING 

INFLUENCE THAN IF ANOTHER PERSON CREATES IT FOR HIM/HER AND JUST GIVES IT AWAY.  AND

 PERSONALLY PUTTING FORTH EFFORT TO CREATE A TREATMENT PLAN HAS MORE MEANING THAN 

A TREATMENT PLAN THAT IS TAKEN FROM ANOTHER PERSON.  WE CAN HELP OTHER PEOPLE TO 

DEVELOP THEIR OWN TREATMENT PLANS.  A HELPER CAN LISTEN, ENCOURAGE, OFFER IDEAS 

THROUGH HANDOUTS OR WRITTEN MATERIALS, EXPLORE ALTERNATIVES, PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND 

TAKE REPORTS.  HOWEVER, SELF-RELIANCE IS FOSTERED WHEN A PERSON GENERATES HIS OR HER 

OWN TREATMENT PLAN, TAILORING IT TO SELF.    Stephen D. ZoBell, PhD

qualities of a useful treatment plan

self generated but willing to consult with others

fits the unique circumstances of the individual

designed to move a person forward a step or two in the next week

fits into short and long range goals

specific, measurable, short term

reportable

includes between 3 to 5 points

THREE EXAMPLES OF POTENTIAL TREATMENT PLANS

1

ONE SIMPLE EXAMPLE OF A TREATMENT PLAN FORMAT IS AS FOLLOWS:

TREATMENT PLAN

List three to five ways that you are going to 


BELIEVE, THINK AND ACT 


differently.  Be specific.  Ensure that your plan is 'doable'.  Within a week, report progress to your 

counselor or leader.  

NAME: 


1.

2.

3.

(4).

(5).

2

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A MORE COMPLEX AND BALANCED TREATMENT PLAN IS AS FOLLOWS:

Fill out the following grid in ways that will help you to BELIEVE, THINK AND ACT differently.  Be specific.  Ensure that your plan is 'doable'.  Within a week, report progress to 
your counselor or leader.  

HOLISTIC TREATMENT PLAN
CATEGORY	OBJECTIVES and STANDARDS	LONG RANGE GOALS	SHORT RANGE GOALS	THINGS TO DO
SPIRITUAL
MENTAL
EMOTIONAL
PHYSICAL
RESPONSIBILITY  TO OTHERS
ENVIRONMENT

3

Another alternative treatment plan uses REPLACEMENT CONCEPTS:

1.  REVIEW THE FOLLOWING CHART WHICH REVIEWS HELPFUL AND HARMFUL 

HABITS OF THINKING, FEELING AND ACTING

2.  DECIDE WHICH HARMFUL HABITS MAY BE HOLDING YOU BACK FROM 

PROGRESSING

3.  WHAT HARMFUL HABIT WOULD YOU LIKE TO REPLACE WITH A HELPFUL HABIT?

CHOOSE BETWEEN 3 to 5

4.  THEN FILL OUT THE 'NEXT' STEP WITH SIMPLE BUT REALISTIC GOALS THAT CAN 

BE ACCOMPLISHED WITHIN A WEEK SO THAT YOU CAN REDUCE HARMFUL PARTS 

OF YOUR LIFE AND INCREASE THE HELPFUL THINGS THAT YOU THINK, FEEL AND DO 

5.  REPORT THEM TO YOUR COUNSELOR OR LEADER:

REPLACING HARMFUL HABITS OF THOUGHT, FEELINGS, BEHAVIORS

WITH

HELPFUL HABITS OF THOUGHT, FEELINGS, BEHAVIORS

HARMFUL HABIT	REPLACED WITH	HELPFUL HABIT
Lack of direction		Written goals and plans
Analyze too much		Synthesize and create
Alone and lonely		Connected and aware of resources
Confused and mixed up		Clear thinking, sense of purpose
Negative attitude		Hopeful attitude
Lost		Feel a sense of identity
Negative self-talk		Positive self-talk
Stuck		Sense of progressing
Betrays covenants		Working to be loyal to covenants
Anger		Compassion
Homesick		Working to enjoy family relations
Blame		Sense of responsibility
Unfair		Sense of justice and fairness
Unhealthy relationships		Uplifting relationships
Overly competitive		Cooperative
Unbending and rigid		Willing to make positive changes
Self pity		Good cheer towards self
Selfish		Helpful towards others
Mean		Kind
Waste time		Productive
Too much fantasy		Ability to see and deal with reality
Highly anxious		Calm
Poor eating habits		Constructive eating habits
Poor hygiene		Appropriate hygiene
Rebellious to authority		Submissive to authority
Arrogant		Meek and humble
Lazy		Self starter
Critical comments		Uplifting in dialogue
Fabricate information, make up stories		Honest
Doesn’t keep commitments		High levels of integrity
Low stress tolerance		Ability to tolerate inconsistencies
Tries to manipulate others		Respects agency and choice of others
Complain		Offer gratitude
Entitlement mindset		Takes responsibility for self

                                                                                         

PERSONAL LIST

My list of harmful habits	Can change to……	My list of helpful habits