Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Every therapist has their favorite resources. We wanted to know yours. So we sent out a call asking what mental health forms you'd love to see in our template library.
The result? Fabulous ideas! We narrowed them down to a list of 10, shaped entirely by your feedback.
The good news is that some of these secure, HIPAA-compliant forms are already in our template library! The rest are now on our radar.
TL;DR: We asked our therapist community which forms and assessments they use most. The top 10 include the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), PHQ-9, and GAD-7. Some are already available in Hushmail's template library, while others are on our roadmap.
Below is a ranked list of the forms our community of mental health practitioners asked for the most, along with a quick summary of what each one is for and links to the ones already available in our template library.
| Jump to an assessment 👇 | What it's for | Hushmail |
|---|---|---|
| 1. PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)* | Screens for post-traumatic stress disorder | Preview | Form builder |
| 2. Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) | Assesses attention deficit hyperactivity disorder | |
| 3. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)* | Screens for depression and assesses severity | Preview | Form builder |
| 4. General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7)* | Screens for and assesses generalized anxiety disorder | Preview | Form builder |
| 5. Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) | Screens for bipolar disorder I and II | |
| 6. Authorization to Release Information (ROI) | Obtains client permission to release personal information | |
| 7. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) | Analyzes attitudes and symptoms of depression | |
| 8. Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) | Assesses obsessive-compulsive disorder | |
| 9. Young Schema Questionnaire-Revised (YSQ-R) | Assesses early maladaptive schemas | |
| 10. Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q) | Assesses exposure to adverse childhood experiences |
* Currently available in Hushmail's template library
We already knew that therapists loved our forms, especially the mental health assessments. They're easy to send and self-scoring, saving you time and letting you focus on client care instead of paperwork.
Therapists use them during intake and throughout a client's healing journey. And because they're encrypted, you can relax knowing your client's information is secure.
But we weren't sure which forms to build next, so we sent out an email asking for your thoughts.
We're so grateful for your responses! Let's take a closer look at the forms you wanted most.
“PTSD scale questionnaires to screen stress-and-trauma-related issues that usually underlie physical and mental health concerns are super helpful. For example, the PCL-5.”
Maridelie Diaz, Licensed Psychologist & Hypnotherapist, Be One Therapy
The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) was at the top of the list. Bonus: this form's already sitting in our template library, ready to go!
Preview of PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) — available in Hushmail's template library.
This 20-question assessment screens for PTSD.
Our version includes the optional Life Events Checklist (LEC-5) and Criterion A sections, plus weekly and monthly formats.
"There's a huge gap in the availability of checklists in electronic format for assessing ADHD — tools like the ASRS, WFIRS, and SNAP-IV. While ADHD has become something that is more and more frequently diagnosed, the availability of cost-effective, efficient tools to do it conveniently — especially now that online assessments have become a standard part of practice — is sorely lacking."
Nelson Byrne, PhD, CPsych, Connect Cognitive Therapy
The ASRS-v1.1 screens for ADHD in adults (18+) and was the second-most popular request.
With more adults being diagnosed with ADHD, this could be an excellent addition to our template library.
Coming in third on the list was the PHQ-9. It's no surprise this one made it; the PHQ-9 is already the most-used form in our current template library.
This questionnaire assesses the presence of depression and its severity. Since it's so short, it's also convenient for clients to complete.
Preview of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) — available in Hushmail's template library.
This was another popular request that is already available!
The GAD-7 can be an effective way to screen for and assess anxiety in adults. It has strong internal consistency.
Like the PHQ-9, this brief questionnaire is convenient for clients to fill out.
Preview of General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) — available in Hushmail's template library.
Several therapists requested an assessment that screens for bipolar disorder. Many suggested the MDQ.
It consists of 15 questions that assess manic symptoms in adults.
Still, this idea has stirred up some debate. Although many therapists requested this tool, not everyone is a fan.
A therapist in our community told us, "I would like to see some kind of screener for bipolar disorder, but not the MDQ, which gives too many false positives."
What do you think? Is the MDQ a good option? Tell us here.
"Do you have a template for a release of information form? It would be amazing!! This is such a pain for clients who I see by telehealth only — but would also be nice for people seeing me in person."
~ Hushmail community member
This isn't a mental health assessment, but it came in as number six on our list.
An authorization to release information — also known as a release of information (ROI) or Authorization to Use and Disclose Protected Health Information form — could be a valuable addition to the other online documents in our library. Like our Secure Contact or Therapy Intake forms, it could help make onboarding new clients even easier.
This form is a staple of any healthcare practice. Use it whenever you need to share client information in a way that isn't covered by the HIPAA rules.
"Hello! I just upgraded to include secure forms with my email, and it's a fantastic feature, especially now that I am virtual. I'd like to suggest/request that you add the Beck Depression Inventory to the available questionnaires. This is really one of the most common and necessary forms in practice."
~ Raymond Buscemi, Psy.D.
There were several requests for additional assessments related to depression. The BDI-II topped the list.
This 21-question tool analyzes attitudes related to depression and its symptoms. It is well-researched and highly reliable.
"Hi! I specialize in OCD and anxiety spectrum disorders and would love the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). It's widely used and helpful even for therapists who don't specialize in OCD, so they can differentiate between other anxiety symptoms/presentations and refer accordingly."
~ Twisa Desai, LPC, NCC, Twisa Desai Therapy
Developed in the late 1980s, the Y-BOCS has been an important part of mental health practice ever since.
Some research shows that the updated version, Y-BOCS-II, has excellent internal consistency and good test-retest reliability.
Another great idea!
"I wish I had the Young Schema Questionnaire-Revised. I don't know how many others would use it. As an EMDR therapist, I'm pretty specialized. But you said no wrong answers!"
~ Alex Penrod, MS, LPC, LCDC, Founder, EMDR Therapist, Neuro Nuance Therapy & EMDR, PLLC
This test assesses early maladaptive schemas (EMS). It's helpful for therapists practicing schema therapy, which was designed to treat personality disorders.
The revised version of this assessment was proposed in 2021 and has been researched with promising results.
The ACE-Q looks at clients' exposure to adverse childhood experiences.
Since it deals with abuse, neglect, and dysfunction in a client's childhood home, we can see that it could be useful to therapists.
And some research has found this assessment may be helpful for primary care physicians, too.
We can't tell you how much we appreciate all the comments we received. Your suggestions help map our future, so keep them coming!
The forms you request today could be available in your Hushmail account tomorrow.
If you don't see a form you need, let us know by heading over to our feedback page! The next addition to our library could come directly from you!
Want to see what other therapists are using? Browse our full library of secure mental health forms and assessments — all built with feedback from our community.