My Medication Routine Plan
A medication adherence worksheet listing medications with routine cues and reminders, common barriers, prescriber questions and missed-dose guidance.
1-page fillable PDF · US Letter (prints on A4) · Adherence support
- Approach / concern
- Bipolar & Mood
- Technique
- Adherence support
- Format
- Fillable PDF, 1 page (US Letter / A4)
- Access
- Pro and Advanced plans (3-day free trial)
- For
- Licensed clinicians to use with clients
- Updated
- October 2026
Key facts
What is the My Medication Routine Plan?
Medication adherence support helps clients take medications as prescribed by addressing practical barriers (forgetting, access) and attitudinal barriers (side effects, beliefs). Clinicians help clients communicate concerns to prescribers.
Why it works
Expert consensus guidelines highlight that adherence problems are common in serious mental illness and recommend tailored behavioural and educational strategies (Velligan et al., 2009). CANMAT/ISBD guidelines emphasize adherence for bipolar maintenance (Yatham et al., 2018).
When to use it
- Bipolar disorder and recurrent depression
- Psychosis
- Clients ambivalent about medication
- Coordinated care with prescribers
How to use it in session
- Explore attitudes non-judgementally.
- Link doses to existing routines.
- Set up reminders.
- Identify barriers.
- Prepare prescriber questions.
Clinician tips
- Use motivational interviewing for ambivalence.
- Stay within scope; don’t give dosing advice.
- Coordinate with prescribers with consent.
Worked example
Sharing with clients
Members can download the PDF to print or email, or copy a private client link from the download box. Your client opens the link and downloads the worksheet on any device. No client account is needed, and nothing your client writes is stored on TherapyAid.
Frequently asked questions
What if I want to stop my medication?
Talk with your prescriber first; stopping suddenly can cause relapse or withdrawal effects.
Is it normal to have mixed feelings about medication?
Yes. Many people do. Discussing them openly helps you make informed choices.
References
Velligan, D. I., Weiden, P. J., Sajatovic, M., Scott, J., Carpenter, D., Ross, R., & Docherty, J. P. (2009). The expert consensus guideline series: Adherence problems in patients with serious and persistent mental illness. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 70(Suppl. 4), 1-46.
Yatham, L. N., Kennedy, S. H., Parikh, S. V., Schaffer, A., Bond, D. J., Frey, B. N., et al. (2018). Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) and International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) 2018 guidelines for the management of patients with bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disorders, 20(2), 97-170.
This worksheet is an educational tool for use by, or under the guidance of, a licensed or registered mental-health professional. It is not a diagnostic instrument or a substitute for clinical judgement. If a client is in crisis in Canada, call or text 9-8-8 or call 9-1-1.
