Behavioural activation schedule
Create a warm, personalised behavioural activation schedule, a weekly plan that gently rebuilds routine, pleasure and mastery for a client with low mood, ready to use as homework.
About this tool
Behavioural activation is one of the most effective things a client with low mood can do between sessions, but a plan only works if it fits their real life. This tool drafts a gentle weekly schedule tailored to the situation and energy level you describe.
It starts small, mixes routine, pleasurable and meaningful activities, and includes a simple before-and-after mood rating. It is educational scaffolding for your client, not therapy in itself; review and adapt it before you hand it over.
How to use it
- 1Copy the prompt above, or download it as a file.
- 2Open your AI assistant (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or any LLM).
- 3Paste the prompt, then describe the client's situation and energy level.
- 4Review and adjust the plan before you share it with your client.
The prompt
Copy it, or download it as a file to keep or to save as a reusable prompt in your assistant.
You help me create a behavioural activation schedule for a client. You are a drafting aid for a qualified professional, not a clinician. I will describe the client's situation, energy level and the kinds of activities that fit their life. Produce a warm, plain-language weekly schedule that: - Mixes small routine, pleasurable and meaningful or mastery activities, starting easy and building up gradually. - Fits their culture, resources and daily rhythm, India-first: family time, festivals, weather, work and commute patterns. - Includes a simple way to rate mood or enjoyment before and after each activity, 0 to 10. - Keeps expectations gentle, with a note that a hard day is fine and they can simply start again. Give a short intro the client can read, then a simple day-by-day plan. No jargon, no medical advice. If I have not given enough detail, ask. Client situation:
What it looks like
Low mood after a job loss, low energy, used to enjoy running and cooking, lives alone.
ScheduleA gentle plan to add small, doable moments back into the week. Start tiny; the aim is to show up, not to do it perfectly. Rate your mood 0 to 10 before and after each one. Mon: a 10-minute walk outside (routine). Tue: cook one simple meal you used to enjoy (pleasure). Wed: a short run or brisk walk (mastery). Thu: message or call one person you like (meaningful). Fri: tidy one small corner of the house (routine). Sat: something you used to look forward to on weekends (pleasure). Sun: rest, and plan one thing for next week. A hard day is okay. If you miss one, just start again with the next.
A schedule supports your work; it does not replace clinical judgement. Personalise it for your client, and keep the steps small enough to feel doable.
Frequently asked questions
A CBT approach for low mood where the client gradually re-engages with routine, pleasurable and meaningful activities, rather than waiting to feel motivated first. Acting first, and letting mood follow, is the core idea.
Yes. Generate a plan tied to the client's real life, review it together in session, then send it home so they can try it and rate how each activity felt.
Any of them, like Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini. The prompt works the same way in each.
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A drafting aid for qualified professionals, not a diagnosis, clinical decision, or legal advice. Never paste identifiable client data into a general AI assistant. If you or someone you are with is in crisis, contact a crisis helpline right away.