Why I ask you to fill in the BMS form before and after every session
By Dr. Yujal Man Singh, MD (Psychiatry) · Medically reviewed · 20 September 2026
Before and after every session, I ask you to fill in a short form called the Brief Mood Survey, or BMS. Some people find this strange. “Doctor, can’t you just ask me how I am?” I can, and I will. But the form tells us things a conversation often misses.
What the BMS measures
It takes about five minutes. It asks about depression, anxiety, anger, suicidal thoughts, and how happy you are with your relationships. After the session there are a few more questions about how the session felt for you, including whether I understood you and whether anything I said upset you.
Why numbers help
Memory is not reliable when we are low. On a bad day, you may feel that nothing has changed in months. The scores show the real picture, week by week. When scores fall, we both see what is working. When they do not, we change the plan early instead of waiting.
This is not just my habit. A meta-analysis in Clinical Psychology Review, including 58 studies and over 21,000 patients, found that tracking progress and feeding it back into therapy improved outcomes and reduced drop-out [1].
Why the after-session part matters
Doctors are not always good at knowing how their patients feel about them. If something I said hurt or confused you, you might not tell me face to face. The form gives you a quiet way to say it, so I can fix it next time. Honest low scores help me more than polite high ones.
Is it private?
Yes. Your answers are part of your confidential clinical record and are used for your care.
How to fill it in
Use the link below on your phone, just before and just after your session, whether you see me in Kuleshwor or online. It is a must, because without it I am guessing.
Research behind this article
- de Jong K, et al. Using progress feedback to improve outcomes and reduce drop-out, treatment duration, and deterioration: a multilevel meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review 2021;85:102002. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102002
If you see me, please fill in the BMS form before and after each session. It is a must.
In a crisis? If you or someone near you may act on thoughts of suicide, go to the nearest hospital emergency or call 1166 in Nepal. Abroad, call your local emergency number.