GAD-7 Screener
Template by Reflective
Best for Anxiety En
The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) assessment is a widely used screening tool for identifying and measuring the severity of anxiety symptoms. This quick, evidence-based questionnaire helps individuals and healthcare professionals assess common anxiety-related experiences, including excessive worry, restlessness, and difficulty relaxing. By answering seven simple questions, users can gain insight into their anxiety levels and track changes over time. The GAD-7 is frequently used in therapy and medical settings to inform treatment plans, monitor progress, and determine whether further intervention is needed. If you’re struggling with anxiety, taking the GAD-7 can be a helpful first step toward understanding your symptoms and finding the right support for managing them effectively.
Share GAD-7 Screener with your client
Share GAD-7 Screener with your client using the Reflective app so they can take the screener between sessions. Simply enter their email, and they’ll be able to fill in the worksheet from the convenience of their phone. Sign up for a Free trial.
How does Reflective work?
Share exercise with client via Reflective
Client receives email with app link and connection request
Client clicks link to download app
Client accepts your connection and exercises you shared
Client uses app to fill in exercises, gets reminders
How to Use the GAD-7 with Clients
The GAD-7 is a brief, self-reported questionnaire designed to assess generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms over the past two weeks. This validated tool is widely used in clinical practice to measure anxiety severity, guide treatment decisions, and track symptom progression. With seven questions rated on a 0-3 scale, the total score provides a quick but effective measure of distress, helping clinicians determine whether a client’s anxiety warrants intervention and what level of care may be appropriate.
When using the GAD-7 in therapy, start by explaining its purpose to clients—emphasizing that it is not a diagnostic tool but a way to gauge symptom patterns and severity. Have clients complete the questionnaire at intake to establish a baseline and use it periodically to track treatment progress. You can easily set this up on an automated schedule in the Reflective app. Scores of 5, 10, and 15 indicate mild, moderate, and severe anxiety, respectively, helping inform whether interventions such as cognitive-behavioral strategies, mindfulness techniques, or medication referrals may be beneficial. Additionally, discussing responses with clients can encourage self-awareness and open conversations about anxiety management strategies, reinforcing their active role in the therapeutic process.
