Which of the following would be an improvement goal for treatment planning?

• A. Eliminate goals after progress
• B. Increase frequency of sessions
• C. Development of emotional regulation goal
• D. Change therapist approach

Answer: (C)

Improvement goals in treatment planning focus on concrete, measurable changes in the client's functioning that therapy aims to achieve. An emotional regulation goal is a strong example because it specifies a skills-based target (better managing distress, controlling emotions, using coping strategies) and invites concrete measurement (fewer intense mood swings, more use of coping tools, improved ratings on emotion scales). This aligns with how progress is tracked in therapy and supports SMART-type goal setting.

The other options describe how sessions are delivered or when to end goals, rather than what the client will actually improve. Eliminating goals after progress shifts the focus from growth to termination too early. Increasing the frequency of sessions is a service-level change, not a client outcome. Changing the therapist’s approach is a clinician-led process change, not a target for the client's change.