Depression Test - PHQ-9: a clinically validated assessment for measuring depression symptoms
The PHQ-9 is a nine-question assessment that measures the presence and severity of depression symptoms over the past two weeks. It is one of the most widely validated tools in clinical practice, recommended in NICE guidelines for the assessment and monitoring of depression. On Offload your therapist can assign it directly between sessions and review your results before your next appointment.
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What does the Depression Test Assessment cover?
The PHQ-9 covers nine depression symptoms including low mood, sleep and appetite changes, fatigue, concentration difficulties, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts of self-harm - producing an overall severity score to track progress over time.
Who is this Depression Test Assessment for?
Helpful if you:
😔 Have been feeling low or losing interest in things
🧭 Want to understand how severe your symptoms may be
📝 Have been asked by your therapist to complete this
For therapists:
Assign the PHQ-9 to clients to assess depression severity at the start of therapy, monitor progress across sessions, and support clinical decision-making. Results are stored securely and available to review before your next session. Fully HIPAA and GDPR compliant.
Dr Harriet Mellotte
Clinical Psychologist & CBT Therapist, BABCP
“Offload is a fantastic resource for both clients and therapists. The world of CBT has been lacking an app which enables the sharing of CBT worksheets and homework tasks between clients and therapists, but Offload completely does this, making the service we offer more professional and the benefits to clients greater.”
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the PHQ-9?
The PHQ-9 is one of the most extensively validated depression screening tools available, with strong sensitivity and specificity across clinical and community settings. It is recommended by NICE and widely used in NHS primary care and mental health services. It is a screening tool and does not replace clinical assessment.
How long does the PHQ-9 take?
Most people complete it in 2 to 3 minutes. It is nine straightforward questions about how you have been feeling over the past two weeks.
Can professionals assign the PHQ-9 to their clients?
Yes. Offload lets professionals assign the PHQ-9 directly to clients as part of a personalised care plan. Results are stored securely and reviewable before the next session, making it easy to track changes in depression severity over time. Fully HIPAA and GDPR compliant.
Is the PHQ-9 evidence-based?
The PHQ-9 has been validated in hundreds of clinical studies worldwide. It is recommended in NICE guidelines for depression and is one of the most widely used outcome measures in psychological therapy. This assessment was clinically reviewed by a qualified, experienced therapist.
Are you a therapist?
Assign this therapy tool and 200+ other interactive tools directly to your clients. Build personalised care plans, customise tools, and review client responses before sessions. HIPAA and GDPR compliant.
Explore Offload for therapistsReferences
Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB. The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2001;16(9):606-613. This is the original validation study for the PHQ-9. The authors demonstrated that the PHQ-9 has excellent reliability, validity, sensitivity, and specificity as a diagnostic measure for depressive disorders. They established the standard cut-off scores and severity ranges that are widely used in clinical practice today.
