Clinical Note Templates: SOAP, DAP, BIRP & More for Therapists
Compare 10+ clinical note templates including SOAP, DAP, BIRP, GIRP, SIRP, and PIE. Learn when to use each format and which is best for your practice setting.
Last updated: March 2026
WellNotes supports over 10 clinical note formats used across therapy, counseling, social work, and behavioral health settings. Each template structures your documentation differently — from the widely used SOAP format (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) to specialized formats like BIRP for community mental health and GIRP for goal-oriented practices. Choosing the right template ensures your notes meet insurance requirements and accurately reflect your clinical work.
Template comparison
| Format | Sections | Best For | Common In |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOAP | Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan | General therapy, insurance billing | Outpatient therapy, multidisciplinary teams |
| DAP | Data, Assessment, Plan | Faster documentation, behavioral health | Outpatient behavioral health, counseling |
| BIRP | Behavior, Intervention, Response, Plan | Measurable outcomes, substance use | Community mental health, substance use treatment |
| GIRP | Goal, Intervention, Response, Plan | Goal-oriented progress tracking | Treatment plan-focused practices |
| SIRP | Situation, Intervention, Response, Plan | Crisis and acute care sessions | Crisis intervention, acute settings |
| PIE | Problem, Intervention, Evaluation | Problem-focused documentation | Case management, social work |
| Treatment Plan | Diagnosis, Goals, Objectives, Interventions | Intake and periodic reviews | All clinical settings |
| Progress Note | Narrative format (flexible) | Flexible session documentation | Private practice, counseling |
| Intake Assessment | Presenting concern, history, risk, impressions | First-session documentation | All clinical settings |
| Group Therapy Note | Group dynamics, participation, interventions | Group session documentation | Group therapy practices |
Step-by-step
- 1
SOAP — Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
The most widely used clinical format. Preferred by therapists, psychologists, and multidisciplinary care teams. Required by many insurance providers.
- 2
DAP — Data, Assessment, Plan
A streamlined 3-section format common in behavioral health and outpatient settings. Combines subjective and objective data into a single "Data" section.
- 3
BIRP — Behavior, Intervention, Response, Plan
Focuses on measurable behavior and intervention outcomes. Popular in community mental health and substance use treatment.
- 4
GIRP — Goal, Intervention, Response, Plan
Goal-oriented format that ties interventions directly to treatment plan goals. Useful when documentation must reflect measurable progress.
- 5
SIRP — Situation, Intervention, Response, Plan
Designed for crisis and acute care sessions where the presenting situation is the primary documentation focus.
- 6
PIE — Problem, Intervention, Evaluation
Common in case management and social work. Organizes documentation around specific identified problems.
- 7
Treatment Plan
A structured plan document listing diagnosis, long-term goals, short-term objectives, and interventions. Used for intake and regular reviews.
- 8
Progress Note
A narrative-style note documenting session progress toward treatment goals. Less structured than SOAP, more flexible.
- 9
Intake Assessment
A comprehensive first-session documentation format capturing presenting concerns, history, risk factors, and initial clinical impressions.
- 10
Group Therapy Note
Adapted for group session documentation. Captures group dynamics, individual participation, and shared interventions.
Tips
- Not sure which format to use? SOAP is a safe default for most outpatient therapy settings.
- Your template choice is saved per note — you can use different templates for different clients or session types.
- Custom templates let you define your own section structure (Pro and above).
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between SOAP and DAP notes?
SOAP notes have four sections (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) while DAP notes have three (Data, Assessment, Plan). DAP combines subjective and objective information into a single "Data" section, making it faster to complete. SOAP is more widely required by insurance providers; DAP is common in outpatient behavioral health.
Which clinical note format do insurance companies require?
Most insurance providers accept SOAP notes as the standard format. However, requirements vary by payer — check with your specific insurance company. WellNotes generates notes in SOAP, DAP, BIRP, and other accepted formats to help ensure compliance.
Can I create a custom note template for my practice?
Yes. WellNotes Professional plan users can create custom templates with up to 10 custom sections. This is useful for specialized practices like ABA therapy, trauma-focused CBT, or any setting with unique documentation requirements.
What note format is best for ABA therapy documentation?
For ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy, BIRP (Behavior, Intervention, Response, Plan) is commonly used because it focuses on measurable behavior and intervention outcomes. Alternatively, you can create a custom template with sections like Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence, and Data Collection using WellNotes' custom template feature.
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