Life goals worksheet
Creating goals is a core part of mental health treatment, and using a GROW model template can be a helpful way to support clients in creating realistic and achievable goals.
This guide to the GROW model template provides therapists with an overview of the GROW model, as well as sample questions for setting goals, and a free downloadable GROW model worksheet to save to your electronic health record (EHR) for ongoing use in your practice.
What is the GROW model?
The GROW model is a coaching technique that helps to create realistic and achievable goals collaboratively.
The acronym represents four stages of coaching a client through goal setting:
Goal
This stage involves establishing rapport with the client and clarifying what they want to address by identifying a measurable goal(s) to achieve. The goal may be related to the client's home life, relationships, or mental health.
Reality
This step explores the client’s current situation, past attempts to accomplish the goal, and potential barriers.
Options
In this step of the GROW model template, clients consider various ways to achieve the desired goals, how they’ll overcome obstacles, and their preferred solutions.
Way forward
The final stage determines next steps, required resources, limitations, level of motivation, support required, and commitment to achieving the goal.
The GROW model template can be used in both therapeutic and coaching settings.
This approach is unique because it is considered fluid. In other words, goal setting isn’t always linear and may require revisiting other model elements to clarify the goal and next steps.
The benefits of using a GROW model worksheet include:
Providing clients with clarity around their goals with clearly defined steps.
Utilization in various situations and environments, from individual therapy to group work, treatment, or professional settings.
Documenting a clear structure and sequence for overcoming barriers to success, helping the individual achieve a realistic goal.
Examples of GROW model worksheet questions
Below are some examples of questions that are included in the GROW model worksheet for each step of the acronym:
Goal: What do you want?
What would you like to focus on in therapy?
What goal do you want to achieve?
What are the specific challenges you are facing?
How do you see your future if therapy is successful?
Why do you want to achieve this goal?
What skills and coping strategies will you learn?
How will you know when you’ve reached your goal?
In what ways are you currently working toward your goal?
Reality: What is happening?
What have you tried previously to achieve your goal?
What got in the way?
What is working in your life at the moment and what isn’t?
What is preventing you from achieving your goal?
What do you need?
How will your life change if you achieve this goal?
Tell me about your fears about achieving this goal.
Options: What might you do next?
What are your options?
How will you overcome obstacles?
What steps can you take to move you closer to your goal?
What resources and support do you need?
Are suggestions helpful?
What would your closest friend say about these challenges?
Way forward: What will you do, and how will you go about it?
What is your first step?
What will you do, and by when?
What could get in the way, and how will you overcome that?
How motivated are you to achieve this goal on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being unlikely and 10 being a high chance of success?
What is your level of commitment?
How will you stay motivated?
How will you measure your progress?
How to use the GROW model template with clients
Therapists can use our GROW coaching model template in several ways.
For example, therapists can use the GROW model worksheet in session to get clear about the client's goals.
It can also be used as part of the treatment planning process to collaboratively set goals.
You may also give the GROW model template to the client as a handout so that they can consider their goals, obstacles, options, resources, and ways forward in preparation for their next therapy appointment.
Download the worksheet: GROW coaching template at the top of this article for repeated use in your practice.
Sources
Department of Veterans Affairs. (2011). GROW Model Template.
Whitmore, John (2009). "The impact of the Inner Game and Sir John Whitmore on coaching: a commentary" (PDF). Annual Review of High Performance Coaching and Consulting.
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