How to Write a Biopsychosocial Assessment (BPS): With Templates and Examples
Writing a BPS or Biopsychosical assessment is one of the more daunting things we do as mental health professionals. Writing a BPS is usually more time consuming than a SOAP or BIRP document, as it is a more comprehensive look at the client’s history over their lifetime, vs a point-in-time assessment like SOAP.
The Biopsychosocial model (BPS model) is a cornerstone in a client’s treatment and serves multiple essential functions. It documents mental health symptoms comprehensively, and determines whether a client meets diagnostic criteria for mental health disorders. More importantly, it offers an in-depth look into the individual’s physical health, mental health and social factors, allowing clinicians to create a well-rounded case formulation and an effective treatment plan.
Given its extensive nature, the biopsychosocial assessment is often the most detailed document in a client’s care records. As such, it is frequently reviewed by other healthcare professionals, like psychiatrists and future therapists, to guide their care decisions. So it is important that the BPS be written thoroughly and thoughtfully as part of good clinical documentation.
“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” – Aristotle
The goal of this guide is to equip you with the assessment tools and relevant information needed to write a detailed and effective biopsychosocial assessment. We will walk you through each of the key components, provide specific biopsychosocial assessment questions to ask, highlight common pitfalls, and offer real-life examples to illustrate best practices in clinical practice.
By the end of this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to develop a full picture of a person’s life and design a tailored treatment plan that fosters optimal health and well-being. Here’s what we’ll cover –
- What to include in a BPS?
- Best practices in writing a high-quality BPS
- How to format it?
- Examples of BPS along with templates
- Common pitfalls to avoid
- How to reduce the time taken to write it?
Biopsychosocial Assessments Made Simple!
Create comprehensive BPS documents in minutes, not hours
