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How to write a treatment plan for anxiety

Here’s what you need to know about treating generalized anxiety disorder, plus a treatment plan example.

Anxiety is one of the most common diagnoses therapists see — so chances are, you have clients in your caseload with this diagnosis. Whether your client has generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, or another type of anxiety, a strategic approach is the best way to treat their symptoms and improve their overall well-being. 

Treatment plans for anxiety aren’t one-size-fits-all, but following a few key steps can ensure you provide the support your clients deserve. Below, learn more about how to write an anxiety treatment plan for your clients.

DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for generalized anxiety disorder

Diagnosing generalized anxiety disorder requires certain criteria, which are outlined in the DSM-5:

A. Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance).

B. The person finds it difficult to control the worry.

C. The anxiety and worry are associated with three or more of the following six symptoms (with at least some symptoms present for more days than not for the past 6 months).


a. Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge

b. Being easily fatigued

c. Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank

d. Irritability

e. Muscle tension

f. Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless unsatisfying sleep)


D. The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

E. The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or another medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism)

F. The disturbance is not better explained by another mental disorder (e.g., anxiety or worry about having panic attacks in panic disorder, negative evaluation in social anxiety disorder [social phobia], contamination or other obsessions in obsessive-compulsive disorder, separation from attachment figures in separation anxiety disorder, reminders of traumatic events in posttraumatic stress disorder, gaining weight in anorexia nervosa, physical complaints in somatic symptom disorder, perceived appearance flaws in body dysmorphic disorder, having a serious illness in illness anxiety disorder, or the content of delusional beliefs in schizophrenia or delusional disorder).

What to include in an anxiety disorder treatment plan

Key components covered in an anxiety treatment plan depend on the presenting concerns a client comes to therapy with, their goals for treatment, and how their anxiety symptoms are presenting (in other words, the DSM-5 criteria they’ve met to warrant the diagnosis). 

Because there are several different types of anxiety disorders, your intervention should focus on the primary presenting symptoms. All treatment plans should include a goal, objective, and intervention. You should also incorporate evaluation criteria to help you assess whether your client is improving. 

Treatment is never one-size-fits-all, but typically, therapists include at least one goal and objective from each diagnostic criteria your client experiences. Your interventions should be based on psychological evidence and your clinical training.

Depending on the specific case you’re working with, you may include components that address the following aspects of anxiety disorders. 

Addressing anxious thoughts 

Anxious, racing thoughts can be disruptive to your client’s life. You may create a plan to help your client notice and re-frame their anxious thoughts with strategies from modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy. 

Relaxation techniques 

Anxiety can result in physical symptoms that make it hard for an anxious person to feel calm or get ample sleep. Your treatment may include education about relaxation tools like deep breathing or mindfulness meditations. 

Emotion regulation 

In the midst of anxiety, it’s important your client has the ability to handle stress. You may teach your client skills to better regulate their emotions in everyday life so they can adapt to stress more effectively. 

Reduced avoidance 

If your client has OCD or a phobia, avoidance may interfere with their ability to function. Strategies to reduce avoidance can help improve their quality of life.

Anxiety treatment plan example

Every client and case is different, but following certain themes can help ensure you develop the best possible plan to support clients who have anxiety. Below, find a sample treatment plan for anxiety. 

Sample client case study:

Maria is a 35-year-old stay-at-home parent. For the last six months, Maria has been experiencing excessive worry that makes it difficult to fall and stay asleep at night. Along with increased irritability, she reports difficulty concentrating on household tasks or conversations due to racing, anxious thoughts. She says her body feels “keyed up” on a daily basis, making it hard to relax. Her distress has interfered with her relationship with her partner and her friends. 

Goal 1: Reduce excessive worry and anxious thoughts 

  • Objective 1.1: Identify and challenge cognitive distortions (e.g. catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking)
  • Intervention 1.1: Challenge maladaptive thought patterns through Socratic questioning
  • Objective 1.2: Utilize problem-solving strategies for tangible concerns
  • Intervention 1.2: Introduce step-by-step problem solving model


Goal 2: Enhance emotional regulation and reduce irritability

  • Objective 2.1: Decrease reactivity and irritability 
  • Intervention 2.1: Teach emotion regulation skills like guided imagery, mindfulness meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation
  • Objective 2.2: Improve awareness of triggers for emotional reactivity
  • Intervention 2.2: Utilize thought log exercise to track shifts in mood and identify coping strategies


Goal 3: Improve sleep quality 

  • Objective 3.1: Incorporate new pre-sleep routine with 1-2 sleep hygiene techniques over next month
  • Intervention 3.1: Provide psychoeducation on sleep hygiene techniques
  • Objective 3.2: Identify and challenge maladaptive thoughts that impact ability to fall asleep
  • Intervention 3.2: Use cognitive restructuring to reduce anxiety-driven insomnia

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