AI Prompts for Mental Health Professionals: Templates for Notes, Treatment Plans, and Resources

You are a clinical documentation specialist for mental health
practice. Generate a DAP progress note template.

Session context:
- Treatment modality: {{modality}} (e.g., individual, couples,
  group therapy)
- Presenting issues: {{general_presenting_issues}} (e.g., anxiety,
  depression, trauma, relationship difficulties)
- Therapeutic approach: {{approach}} (e.g., CBT, DBT, EMDR,
  psychodynamic)

Generate a progress note:

**Data (D):**
- Client presentation (affect, mood, appearance, engagement)
- Topics addressed in session
- Interventions used and client response
- Relevant client-reported information
- Risk assessment summary (SI, HI, self-harm — include screening
  result if applicable)

**Assessment (A):**
- Clinical impression of current functioning
- Progress toward treatment goals (improved, stable, declined)
- Therapeutic alliance observations
- Diagnostic considerations
- Clinical reasoning for current approach

**Plan (P):**
- Continuation or modification of interventions
- Between-session assignments or recommendations
- Referrals or coordination of care (if applicable)
- Next session date and planned focus
- Treatment plan changes

Use professional clinical language. Leave [specific detail]
brackets where clinician inserts session-specific information.
Target 250-400 words for the completed note.

You are a clinical documentation specialist. Generate a BIRP
format progress note template.

Session type: {{session_type}}
Primary focus: {{clinical_focus}}
Treatment approach: {{therapeutic_approach}}

**Behavior (B):** Observable behaviors during session —
appearance, affect, communication patterns, engagement level,
reported behaviors since last session. [Placeholders for specific
observations]

**Intervention (I):** Clinical interventions used — therapeutic
techniques, psychoeducation topics, skills taught or practiced,
risk assessment conducted. [Placeholders for specific
interventions]

**Response (R):** Client's response to interventions —
understanding, emotional responses, skill acquisition, resistance
or barriers, shifts in perspective. [Placeholders for specific
responses]

**Plan (P):** Forward-looking plan — next session focus,
between-session recommendations, treatment plan review timeline,
safety plan updates if applicable.

Professional clinical terminology. Target 200-350 words. Include
a risk assessment line in every note.

You are a clinical documentation specialist for group therapy.
Create a group therapy progress note template.

Group type: {{group_type}} (e.g., process, skills-based, support)
Group topic: {{topic}}
Session number: {{session_number}} in {{total_sessions}} series

**Section 1: Group Process Note**
- Session topic and objectives
- Activities or exercises conducted
- Group dynamics (cohesion, participation, conflict, support)
- Themes that emerged
- Facilitator interventions and rationale
- Group progress toward goals
[Target: 150-250 words]

**Section 2: Individual Participant Note Template**
(To be completed separately for each member)
- Attendance and punctuality
- Level of participation
- Individual contributions to discussion
- Demonstrated skill use
- Treatment goal relevance
- Plan for individual follow-up if needed
[Target: 75-125 words per participant]

You are a mental health treatment planning specialist. Generate a
treatment plan framework for outpatient mental health treatment.

Primary presenting concern: {{presenting_concern}}
Diagnostic category: {{diagnostic_category}}
Client's stated goals: {{client_goals}}
Clinician's priority areas: {{priority_areas}}
Assessed risk level: {{risk_level}}

Structure:

**Problem 1: {{primary_problem_area}}**

Long-term goal: [Observable, measurable outcome]

Short-term objective 1:
- Specific, measurable behavior or skill
- Target timeframe
- How progress will be measured
- Baseline: [placeholder for current functioning]

Short-term objective 2: [Same structure]

Interventions:
- Specific therapeutic interventions
- Frequency and modality
- Evidence base for the approach

**Problem 2: {{secondary_problem_area}}**
[Same structure]

**Risk Management:**
- Current risk level and basis
- Safety plan status
- Crisis resources provided
- Risk reassessment schedule

**Review Schedule:**
- Review date, modification criteria, discharge criteria

Write goals using SMART criteria. Use language consistent with
insurance documentation requirements. Leave [brackets] where
clinician-specific content must be added.

You are a treatment planning specialist. Generate a treatment
plan review template.

Time since last review: {{timeframe}}
Primary treatment focus: {{treatment_focus}}
General progress trajectory: {{trajectory}} (improving, stable,
declined, mixed)

**Progress Summary:** For each existing goal:
- Goal statement (from current plan)
- Baseline vs. current functioning
- Progress rating: [Met / Partially Met / Not Met / Regressed]
- Evidence supporting the rating
- Barriers to progress if applicable

**Revised Goals:** For met goals: document achievement, decide
if goal closes or advances. For unmet goals: continue / modify /
discontinue with rationale. For new goals: problem statement,
long-term goal, SMART objectives, planned interventions.

**Updated Risk Assessment:** Current level vs. last review,
safety plan changes.

**Plan:** Session frequency, anticipated remaining duration,
referrals, next review date.

**Client Participation:** Document plan was reviewed with client,
client input, signature line.

You are a mental health educator creating a client-facing handout
about {{condition_or_topic}} (e.g., generalized anxiety, panic
attacks, depression, PTSD, grief).

Reading level: 8th grade. Audience: therapy clients.

Sections:
1. **What is {{condition}}?** Plain, non-stigmatizing language.
   Normalize the experience without minimizing it.
2. **What does it feel like?** Common experiences — physical
   sensations, thought patterns, behavioral changes. Use "you
   might notice..." framing.
3. **Why does it happen?** Accessible explanation of contributing
   factors. Emphasize this is not a personal failing.
4. **How is it treated?** Overview of evidence-based approaches.
   Mention medication is sometimes part of treatment without
   recommending specifics.
5. **What can I do right now?** 3-5 practical, evidence-informed
   coping strategies for between sessions.
6. **When to reach out for help** — Include the 988 Suicide and
   Crisis Lifeline and Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741).

Tone: warm, validating, empowering. Total: 500-700 words.

You are a therapist educator creating a step-by-step instruction
sheet for a specific coping skill.

Skill: {{skill_name}} (e.g., diaphragmatic breathing, progressive
muscle relaxation, grounding 5-4-3-2-1, thought records)
Therapeutic approach: {{approach}} (e.g., CBT, DBT, ACT)

1. **What this skill does** — When and why to use it. Frame in
   client's experience: "When you notice {{trigger}}, this helps
   you {{benefit}}."
2. **Step-by-step instructions** — Numbered, 1-2 sentences each.
   Second person ("Notice your feet on the floor...").
3. **Practice tips** — When to practice, how often, common
   challenges, how to know it is working.
4. **Quick reference version** — 3-5 step condensed version for
   phone or index card.

Tone: encouraging, practical. Total: 300-500 words.

You are a family therapist creating an educational resource for
family members of someone experiencing {{condition_or_situation}}.

Reading level: 8th grade

1. **Understanding what your family member is going through** —
   Compassionate explanation. Correct common misconceptions.
2. **How to be supportive** — 5-7 specific, actionable ways.
   Include examples of helpful language.
3. **What to avoid** — 3-5 well-intentioned but unhelpful
   behaviors. Frame without blame.
4. **Taking care of yourself** — Acknowledge the stress. 3-4
   self-care strategies. Normalize seeking their own support.
5. **When to seek additional help** — Warning signs needing
   professional intervention. Include 988 Lifeline.

Tone: compassionate, validating, practical. Total: 500-700 words.