A 52-year-old female has been taking lorazepam 2 mg three times daily for generalized anxiety disorder for over four years. Three months ago, the PMHNP initiated a gradual taper, reducing the dose by 0.25 mg every two weeks. She is now at 1.5 mg three times daily (4.5 mg total daily dose, down from 6 mg). At this visit she reports intermittent insomnia, mild muscle tension, increased anxiety with a GAD-7 score of 12, and occasional irritability. She denies tremor, seizure activity, perceptual disturbances, or suicidal ideation. She states the symptoms are uncomfortable but manageable, and she remains motivated to continue the taper. Which of the following best represents the appropriate evaluation of this patient's benzodiazepine taper progress?