Clinical Terms

Goal Setting

The process of naming what you want from therapy and breaking it into specific, doable steps.

Goal setting in therapy is the process of naming what the client wants their life and well-being to look like, and then breaking that into specific, doable steps. Good goals are personally meaningful, concrete enough to know whether they are happening, and flexible enough to adjust over time.

This glossary is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have questions about your mental health, please speak with a licensed professional.