Therapy Blueprint (Archived)

The Therapy Blueprint (Archived) is designed to help clients reflect on what they’ve learned in therapy and how to maintain progress after treatment ends.

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Full resource pack (PDF)

Everything you could need: a PDF of the resource, therapist instructions, and description with theoretical context and references. Where appropriate, case examples and annotations are also included.

Client version

Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Fillable version (PDF)

A fillable version of the resource. This can be edited and saved in Adobe Acrobat, or other PDF editing software.

Editable version (PPT)

An editable Microsoft PowerPoint version of the resource.

Overview

A therapy blueprint is CBT tool which summarizes the work a therapist and patient have completed together. It represents the past (the problems, what maintained them), the present (the therapy itself, new knowledge learned and skills developed) and the future (goals, plans, and strategies to manage setbacks). Therapy blueprints also act as a form of relapse prevention - by making new knowledge more accessible, clients are more able to cope effectively with future setbacks.

Why Use This Resource?

The Therapy Blueprint serves multiple functions in enhancing therapy outcomes:

Encourages clients to reflect on their therapeutic journey, consolidating their learning.
Provides a structured format to summarize therapy's key components, enhancing memory retention.
Supports relapse prevention by making helpful strategies more accessible.
Promotes resilience by reinforcing knowledge and skills learned during therapy.

Key Benefits

Reflection

Helps clinicians and clients review therapeutic progress.

Structure

Provides a clear and comprehensive framework for capturing learning.

Prevention

Assists in anticipating potential future setbacks and planning coping strategies.

Resilience

Reinforces resilience by summarizing developed skills and knowledge.

Who is this for?

All Clients

This resource is suitable for all clients coming to the end of talking therapy.

Integrating it into your practice

Assessment

Explore what problems brought the client to therapy and how they developed.

Formulation

Discuss how and why difficulties persisted.

Treatment

Highlight new skills and techniques the client learned.

Progress

Reflect on past and current goals, and discuss new goals.

Prevention

Plan for potential setbacks and identify helpful coping strategies.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

The Therapy Blueprint is grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy principles, particularly the emphasis on reflective review and relapse prevention. It helps clients identify patterns that contributed to the onset and maintenance of their problems, as well as changes that occurred during treatment.

Therapists can guide clients through the worksheet’s structured prompts, which address:

Etiology and maintenance of difficulties.
Key learning from therapy, including shifts in beliefs and behavioral patterns.
Helpful coping strategies developed.
Specific goals for different future timeframes.

By making therapeutic insights more explicit and memorable, this exercise helps protect against relapse and supports long-term self-efficacy. It also enhances metacognitive awareness by encouraging clients to observe their thoughts and behaviors from a distance.

What's inside

An introduction to the resource.
Guidance for introducing the blueprint to clients
Key references and recommended reading for learning more about blueprints and relapse prevention.

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FAQs

A therapy blueprint is a CBT tool that summarizes therapy work, focusing on the past (problems), present (therapy progress), and future (relapse prevention and goals).

By reflecting on learned skills and planning for setbacks, clients are better prepared to manage future challenges.

It is advisable to introduce the blueprint towards the end of therapy but can be mentioned earlier to prepare clients.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

By using the Therapy Blueprint (Archived), clients can:

Reflect on their experiences of therapy.
Celebrate the progress they have made.
Identify and consolidate new skills and key learning.
Prepare for potential setbacks with clear and accessible plans.

References And Further Reading

Fennell, M. (1999). Overcoming low self-esteem: A self-help guide using cognitive behavioral techniques. London: Robinson.

A Guide To Emotions